Exalted qualities and noble human virtues are nurtured by great kings, who embody a living example of the deeds of the righteous caliphs and early conquerors.
The city had fallen asleep, and people rested from the fatigue of the day. Some withdrew to their beds to enjoy peaceful sleep, while others remained in small groups, spending part of the night in conversation and companionship.
Silence enveloped the world, and the streets were nearly empty and deserted. Near the outskirts of the city, close to the port, one could hear at times the gentle murmur of water, and at other times the faint sound of footsteps—footsteps of a man… followed by others. This man, in his fifties, bore a handsome mustache and a black beard. He was tall, agile in movement, and bright‑faced, walking ahead of his loyal companions.
As was his habit every evening, he was making his rounds through the neighborhoods of the city, inspecting the conditions of his subjects, observing the work of the people, and monitoring the affairs of the state with careful and purposeful attention. He was the king of the land, its beloved sovereign—Saud, cherished in every heart. He sought to revive the noble example of the revered Imam ʿUmar ibn al‑Khattab, may God be pleased with him, who used to roam the neighborhoods of Medina searching for the poor and the needy, listening attentively to the voices of the oppressed, seeking God’s forgiveness for the poverty and hardship he witnessed, and praying that God grant him strength and guide him toward what is right.
And here he is today, before the Muslims, walking through the streets and moving between neighborhoods, inspecting and inquiring into the affairs of his people, searching for the destitute and the deprived so that he may shelter them, protect them from fear, and shield them from the harsh blows of time and the burdens of difficult circumstances.
How many a miserable family had been rendered helpless by fate, retreating into the depths of their home, whispering prayers to God the Almighty to grant them lawful sustenance from where they least expect.
And how many times had such supplications reached the ears of the great sovereign, prompting him to hasten to their aid, extending a hand of assistance and support—so that it seemed as though God Himself had answered their prayers and sent them a compassionate heart that found incomparable joy in relieving the suffering of the poor and the needy.
One evening, I was sitting in a secluded corner of the Sacred Mosque, engaged in worship and night prayer, seeking solitude and spiritual retreat. As I was immersed in my devotion, an elderly man approached and sat beside me. His body was frail, his strength nearly gone. He held a rosary that dangled from his hand, and with each bead that slipped through his fingers, he repeated the name of God ten times.
The old man captivated my attention, and I began observing him closely. After some time, he raised his hands toward the sky and said in a trembling voice:
“O God, Protector of those who seek refuge, Security of the fearful, and Supporter of the oppressed—by the greatness of Your majesty and the power of Your might, grant victory to our Saud, honor our leaders, preserve our king, guard him, and guide his steps with hosts from You, O Mighty, O Strong.”
As the old man repeated these supplications, his voice faltered, tears streamed from his eyes, and he began to weep—unable to continue his prayer. His sobbing grew louder.
Darkness covered the place, and no one was there besides me. The old man, it seemed, had not noticed my presence, for he let his tongue flow freely in prayer and supplication. After a while, he wiped his tears, took up his rosary again, and resumed the soft clicking of its beads as he continued remembering God.
When I sensed that he had calmed down and his heart had eased, I approached him, placed my hand on his shoulder, and said:
“I have witnessed something remarkable from you, noble sir.”
The man seemed taken aback by my presence; he turned toward me abruptly, sought refuge in God from Satan, and said:
“Where have you been all this time, pilgrim?”
I replied, “Right here beside you.”
He said, “Ah, how age brings embarrassment. I truly thought I was alone in this place.”
I responded in a calm voice:
“By God, uncle, will you not tell me your story and explain the reason for your tears? You have stirred my curiosity.”
After a brief hesitation, he turned to me and said:
“Listen, my son. I shall recount my story to you—but I will not reveal my name, for God has commanded that His servants conceal one another’s faults. As for my story, I believe the entire Muslim world has the right to hear it, for it concerns them. But my name—I believe it is my right alone to keep it.”
“My son, I was once the pride of my people and the chief of my tribe. I possessed great wealth, acquired not through obedience to God and His Messenger. I led a band of more than a hundred horsemen. We lay in wait in the heart of the desert for caravans passing through; when the first signs of a caravan appeared, we descended upon it like a thunderbolt, seized its goods and money, and drove before us its livestock and animals—after having killed all those who accompanied it. Many times we attacked the caravans of pilgrims, killing some of them and taking their possessions without mercy or compassion.”
“When the Saudi state was established and the late King ʿAbd al‑ʿAzīz entered the Hijaz victorious, we initially imagined that this new conqueror would be no different from those before him—that he would be content with controlling the revenues of the pilgrims and the gifts sent to the Holy Cities, and would turn a blind eye to our deeds. Or rather, that he would not dare confront us out of fear, especially since I was not the only one leading such a band; there were dozens like me. Had he wished—may God forgive him—to launch a campaign against us, his army, already occupied with securing the cities and consolidating authority, would not have sufficed.”
“But he soon disappointed our expectations. He launched powerful campaigns against us. His soldiers, though few in number and limited in equipment, were like mighty giants; they defeated us swiftly and decisively. My men fell one after another. I attempted to resist the Saudi forces for many days, but in the end I cast down my weapon and fled.”
“For years I wandered aimlessly—no home to shelter me, no wealth to sustain me—after the rule of the land passed to the House of Saud. Illness, exhaustion, and hunger overwhelmed me. Despair crept into my heart, and I wished for death many times, but death eluded me. It was as though God, exalted be He, willed that I remain alive to taste this suffering and be granted the chance to atone for the crimes and sins I had committed.”
“At last, I resolved to enter Mecca and remain there, even if it meant being arrested and punished. In Mecca, I tried to reclaim my former persona as a feared leader, but I failed. My condition worsened, and the specter of poverty loomed over me. I lived in a ruined house on the outskirts of the city with my sick wife, who had shared both my prosperous days and my miserable ones. In my earlier life she had urged me to repent and cease harming people; in my later life she urged me to surrender myself to justice, even if it meant death for both of us. Yet I clung to life as a drowning man clings to a piece of wood.”
“One cold, rainy night, the wind battered the windows and crept through the damp walls of our dwelling. The cold grew sharper, penetrating my decaying bones. My wife groaned in agony; she was gravely ill, appearing to be on the threshold of death. The misery tore at my insides. Three days and nights had passed without food—for either of us. Anxiety consumed me, and a wave of pain and deep sorrow swept through my being. Suddenly I found myself rushing from the room into the courtyard, raising my hands to the sky, crying with all my strength: ‘O God, enough of this torment and misery! Spare my wife her suffering and affliction! O God, take this life from me, for I have become a burden upon the earth!’ Tears streamed from my eyes, and I wept loudly.”
“After some time, there came a knock at the door. The visitor was His Majesty King Saud—may God support him. When I saw him, I collapsed at his feet and began recounting my entire life story, from the day I took up arms in defiance and selfishness to the moment of my confession. His Majesty listened attentively, silently, without uttering a single word. When I finished, he placed his noble hand upon my shoulder and said:
‘Rejoice, O Sheikh… rejoice. Indeed, the mercy of God is near to the believers.’”
On the following day, he sent for me. After granting me safety and taking from me a pledge that I would spend the remainder of my life upright and honorable—never disturbing public order nor violating the laws and justice of the land—he ordered that I be given a stipend sufficient to meet my needs and ensure for me a life of ease and dignity, free from hardship and distress. As a result, hope returned to my heart, and my wife recovered from her illness. I resolved from that day forward to pray for our beloved king—for his happiness, glory, and long life.
During one of His Majesty’s noble royal tours, undertaken to inspect the conditions of the kingdom and inquire into its affairs, several noteworthy and charming incidents occurred—stories that reflect the king’s popular spirit, noble character, democratic temperament, and deep affection for his subjects.
It happened that he visited the region through which the Hejaz Railway passes—the line connecting Damascus with Medina—and he saw the deplorable state into which it had fallen. His Majesty immediately donated millions to repair it and restore its operation, bringing it back not only to its former condition but to a modern standard of excellence. He did not stop there; he issued a royal decree forming a committee composed of Syrian, Jordanian, and Saudi members to study the needs of this vital artery. The committee was duly formed, conducted its study according to modern standards, and presented its proposals to His Majesty. He ordered that these proposals be submitted to international companies so they could inspect the line and provide definitive cost estimates for its reconstruction and improvement. Work on laying new rails was to begin immediately once the contract was awarded to the company granted the legal concession.
Another incident occurred during one of His Majesty’s visits to the eastern regions. While walking alone through one of the markets—his entourage following at a distance—his noble gaze fell upon a poor laborer struggling visibly with his exhausting work. Sweat poured down the man’s forehead, and fatigue had worn down his body. His Majesty approached him, wiped some of the sweat from his brow with his own hand, and kindly asked about his livelihood. When the man realized the identity of the person addressing him, he rushed to kiss the king’s hands and prayed for his long life. He then recounted to His Majesty the hardships he endured, especially given his frail body and the burden of supporting several young children. Tears welled in the king’s compassionate eyes—he was gentle‑hearted and noble in character. He turned to a member of his entourage and ordered that the man be given a sum of money to help him meet his needs and spare him the humiliation of begging. The democratic‑spirited monarch then departed, while the man’s prayers echoed through the marketplace.
Another incident befell King Saud during one of his tours in a region of the kingdom. One day, as he was walking alone down a street, he saw a man sitting on the ground, weeping bitterly and lamenting his misfortune in a voice that pierced the heart. His Majesty approached him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said:
“What troubles you, dear brother?”
Without looking up or recognizing the king, the man cried:
“I beg you, whoever you are—leave me to my sorrow and go your way!”
The king smiled, realizing the man did not know who he was. He repeated the gesture, placing a hand on his shoulder and asking again. The man responded once more:
“I told you—leave me alone! Have I not suffered enough from life’s blows? Must you come now to add to my misery?”
Thereupon, His Majesty sat down beside him on the ground and said in a gentle, compassionate voice:
“Tell me your misfortune, and you will find in me a friend. Come—tell me what makes you weep.”
The man, still not raising his head, cried:
“Oh Lord… how can I tell you my story? How can I confide in you when you are a stranger who may not even believe me?”
His Majesty replied:
“Even if I do not know you, I can at least believe these tears. And I will do what I can to ease them, God willing.”
At that moment, the man lifted his head and his eyes fell upon the king. His astonishment was overwhelming when he found himself sitting shoulder‑to‑shoulder with His Majesty, who was smiling warmly. The man leapt to his feet, trembling with shock, but the king quickly calmed him and reassured him. He then invited the man to recount his story. The man explained that he had owned a car which he drove to earn his living. One day, by sheer misfortune, the car caught fire and was completely destroyed. He found himself suddenly unemployed, with nothing left, and a large family at home depending on him for food and clothing. With no means of support, he collapsed in despair beside the charred remains of his vehicle.
His Majesty reassured the man about his future and immediately ordered that he be given a new car of the same type as the one that had burned. Thus, a wide horizon of hope opened before this poor, distressed man, transforming his harsh life into one sheltered by renewed possibility.