A Humanitarian Story About King Saud

Sheikh Yahya Muhammad Bil‑Quroun Al‑Zahrani, Sheikh of Al‑Ahlāf from the Zahran tribes in Tihama—who currently resides in Qilwah and was 90 years old in December 2013—recounted the following story:

In 1954, King Saud was passing through Bab Al‑Sharif in Jeddah when a woman stopped his motorcade. The King instructed his driver to halt so he could listen to her complaint. After hearing what she needed, he reached into a pouch beside him, scooped up a handful of gold sovereigns, and gave them to her. She prayed for him, saying:

“May God have mercy on your father.”

He replied, “Amen,” then scooped a second handful—larger than the first—and gave it to her. She said:

“May God have mercy on your parents.”

He then scooped a third handful, even larger than the previous ones, and handed it to her. She said:

“May God prolong your life.”

He responded:

“Life is in God’s hands.”

He then instructed his driver to continue. The narrator added: “Had she continued praying for his parents, he would have given her even more gold.”

May God have mercy on King Saud