We continue today our discussion of the “Deputy of the Haram” corner—our place of rest and reflection, where we enjoy the company of dear friends. I will speak today about King Saud—may God have mercy on him—during the summers he spent between Mecca and Taif. At that time, Sheikh Abdullah Balkhair was among those closest to him, having previously served his father, King Abdulaziz—may God rest his soul.
Sheikh Abdullah Balkhair belonged to the first generation of statesmen who served this country with distinction. He was truly a man of the state—highly competent, of impeccable reputation, a deeply rooted man of letters, and one of the finest poets of the nation. He was a towering cultural figure whose contributions command respect and whose legacy future generations eagerly seek to study.
On one occasion, Sheikh Abdullah Balkhair was in a private gathering with King Saud, translating for him some international news—having graduated from the American University of Beirut. He spoke to the King about the scholars of the Hijaz. King Saud was pleased by the conversation and asked him to invite those scholars to attend his majlis.
Sheikh Abdullah immediately traveled to Mecca and visited the scholars of that time, among the most prominent of whom were:
- Sayyid Alawi al‑Maliki al‑Hasani
- Sayyid Muhammad Amin Kutbi
- Sheikh Muhammad al‑Arabi al‑Tabbani
- Sayyid Hasan Mashat
He conveyed to them the King’s desire to meet them on Thursday. They thanked him and asked that he convey their respect and appreciation to His Majesty for the gracious invitation. However, they apologized, explaining that Thursday coincided with their long‑established teaching sessions in the Sacred Mosque, attended by students and the public for many years. They expressed their hope to meet the King in the future when he visited Mecca, as the message had reached them while he was in Taif.
Sheikh Abdullah returned and informed the King, who instructed him to thank them, to express his appreciation, and to affirm that they should remain committed to their lessons in the Sacred Mosque. He added that, God willing, he would meet them upon his return to Mecca. The King also wished to send them appropriate gifts, but Sheikh Abdullah informed him that they preferred to meet him in person, considering that encounter more valuable than any gift, and that they prayed for him continually.
King Saud always met with scholars in Mecca and welcomed them warmly. He was, notably, the first King of the House of Saud to lead the people in prayer at the Sacred Mosque as Imam after assuming the throne. He led the Maghrib prayer, reciting “Innā aʿṭaynāka al‑kawthar” in the first rakʿah and “Qul huwa Allāhu aḥad” in the second. Before the prayer, he circumambulated the Kaaba, prayed at the Station of Abraham, stood at the Multazam after greeting the Black Stone, and supplicated earnestly—praying for his father, King Abdulaziz, and for his mother. May God envelop them all in His mercy.
Whoever reflects upon the life of King Saud—may God have mercy on him—will find many aspects worthy of illumination, especially those overlooked by history.
These memories also remind us of the atmosphere of learning in the Sacred Mosque, when such scholars and others like them taught in its corridors. Students of knowledge came from across the world to study under them, as did many residents of Mecca. The environment was filled with etiquette, humility, and sincerity for the sake of God.
Each scholar had a known place for teaching:
- Sayyid Alawi al‑Maliki near Bāb al‑Salām
- Sayyid Muhammad Amin Kutbi at Bāb Jiyād
- Sheikh Muhammad al‑Arabi al‑Tabbani near Bāb al‑ʿUmrah
- Sheikh Muhammad Nur Saif in the khalawī near Bāb Ibrāhīm, where he also taught important lessons
- Sayyid Hasan Mashat at Bāb al‑Ziyādah
There were many other scholars as well, whom I hope to dedicate a separate discussion to, for they were shining stars in the precincts of the Haram. They were also connected with scholars residing in Mecca who taught outside the Mosque, such as:
- Sheikh Abdullah ibn Duhaysh, Judge of Mecca
- Sheikh Abdullah Al‑Sheikh
- Sheikh Muhammad ibn Maniʿ, who taught Hanbali jurisprudence
- Sheikh Abdulmalik Al‑Sheikh, who passed away in a blessed state—dying in the Sacred Mosque while praying the two rakʿahs of tawaf at the very center of the Station of Abraham after completing his circumambulation
May God have mercy on them all and envelop them in His grace, for they were among the finest people of knowledge, virtue, and character.
God is the One who grants success and guides to the straight path.