1 KSA HISTORY

HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF

SAUDI ARABIA

GRADE 12

Student's Textbook

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Contents
UNIT 1: THE DA’WA OF SHEIKH MUHAMMAD BIN ABDLWAHHAB

Chapter 1: Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abd-Alwahhab ………………………………………..……….

Chapter 2 : The Da'wa Of Sh. Muhammad Abd-Alwahhab ………………………………………….

UNIT 2: THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST SAUDI ARABIAN STATE

Chapter 1 : Al-Saud Family Prior To The Establishment of the First Saudi State …………………………..

Chapter 2: Some Civilazation Features Of The First Saudi State …………………………………………….

Chapter 3: The Fall Of The First Saudi State ………………………………………………………………….

UNIT 3 :THE SECOND SAUDI ARABIAN STATE (1240-1309 H)

Chapter 1 :The Era of Imam Turki Bin Abd-Allah ……………………………………………………………..

Chapter 2 : Imam Faisal Bin Turki ……………………………………………………….

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UNIT ONE
THE DA’WA OF SHEIKH MUHAMMAD

BIN ABDLWAHHAB

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CHAPTER 1: SHEIKH MUHAMMAD ABDUL-WAHHAB

1/ARABIAN PENINSULA POLITICAL SITUATION PRIOR TO THE DA’WA of SHEIKH

MUHAMMAD ABDEL-WAHHAB

The Ottomans had expanded towards most part of the East Arab region when Sultan Salim I
defeated the Mamalik at the Merej Dabeq in 922 H .Continuing his conquests, he captured Egypt
and then the Hejaz region. During the era of Sultan Suleiman Al-Qanuni, Iraq till the Eastern and
southern regions of the Arabian Peninsula was annexed to the Ottoman colonies. However Najd
was left only enclosed by its territories.

N.B: The word Najd means plateau or high lands in Arabic language. Najd of the Arabian
Peninsula, with which we are here concerned, is located at its core.It stretches down Nefud Desert
to Rubie Al-Khali Desert and from Dahnae Desert in the East to the Hejaz Highlands in the west.
Wadi Ramma and Wadi Hanifa, where Riyadh is located, are the most important of many rivers
that flows in it.

Politics

1/ Hejaz: Ashraf, the descendents of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, ‫صلي هللا وعليه وسلم‬, ruled
Hejaz since the late 4th century H. Makah was their capital city, due to the fact that it has special
Islamic significance in Muslim nations. In the past, Hejaz was under the administration of the
Egyptians since the era of Abdeen, who took over Egypt in 358 H. Then the Ayyubis and Mamalik
followed the Egyptians in Hejaz respectively. Finally the Ashraf started to rule under the authority
of the Ottomans when Sultan Salim I took over Egypt in 923 H.

2/Eastern Region: It was under the tribe of Bani Khalid domination their capital city was Ihsa.
Their rule extended till some towns in Najd. However they were under the Ottoman’s
administration, at least nominally.

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3/South West Region

Asir: The mountainous areas of Asir were being ruled by local chieftains until the emergence of
the Da’wa of Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdul-Wahhab. Yet Ashraf had extended their rule in
Tuhama as well.

Jazan: Its leaders were in conflict with each other, before Sharif Hamud Al–Khayrati (Abu
Mesmar) successfully united the region under his standard.

Najran: Mukarama had ruled this city until the emergence of the 1ST Saudi State.

Najd: It was divided into many small weak states that were continuously fighting with each other
.Despite being the Ottomans so close to them, they did not rule any one of them. (Why?). Most
prominent ruling tribes in Najd were Al-Maemar in Uyayna, Al-Saud in Dariyah, Diham Bin
Dawa’s in Riyadh and Al-Zamil in Kharj.

WHY WAS REFORMATION REQUIRED URGENTLY?

In Najd, innovations, prohibited deeds, fallacies and myths spread widely due to people
ignorance on Islamic principles. Furthermore the religious restraints of people weakened to the
extent that they replaced many of their Islamic fundamental duties with wrong rituals like seeking
of saints or righteous people intermediary between them and Allah, imploring blessings from
stones and trees and taking refugee with the clergymen and so on.

For instance in the village Jibaliya, people used to visit a cemetery allegedly of Zayed Bin Al-
Khattab, brother of the righteous leader Omar Bin Al- Khattab and a companion of the prophet, to
invoke him to help them in fulfilling their wishes being ignorant of the fact that those wishes
cannot be fulfilled only by Allah.

Moreover there was in Uyayna a tree people revered it as a god and they used to seek
blessings from it. Certain palm tree was also the destination of many spinsters who look for a
husband.

Even in Hejaz, the center of Islamic knowledge, where the Two Holiest cities of Islam situated,
the building of domes on graves and praying there to get benefits and prevent harms were
rampant. (Whose cemetery, do you think, was most likely to be?)

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Eastern and South West regions were not exceptional too in the Arabian Peninsula. Innovations,
myths and erroneous sects’ beliefs were adopted in all of its parts as its Bedouins were ignorant
about many religious issues and their duties and responsibilities in Islam.

As such was the condition of the region, the Arabian Peninsula was in desperate need of a
reformer who destroys the innovations and restores the Sunna (the path of the prophet
Muhammad ,‫ )صلي هللا وعليه وسلم‬and wipes out all forms of Shirkiyat (polytheistic rituals)and call
people back to return to the fundamentals of Islam . A righteous and valor Imam, who can pull
together the region anew, was required as well to prevent havoc and guard its’ people. Fortunately
Sheikh Muhammad Abdul-Wahhab happened to be that awaited reformer and Amir Muhammad
Bin Saud happened to be that unifier Imam, May Allah have his Mercy up on both of them.

2/THE LIFE OF SHEIKH MUHAMMAD ABDUL-WAHHAB

LINEAGE AND FAMILY
Sheikh – ul-Islam ,Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab bin Suleiman bin Ali Al-Mishrif Al-
Tamaymi1 ,belonged to a highly respectable and scholarly family; his father Sheikh Abdul-Wahhab
bin Sulaiman characterized by his profound scholarship and righteousness, inherited an exalted
status from his ancestor Sheikh Sulaiman bin Ali, the chief of the scholars and well versed in
teaching, writing and giving verdict in Islamic courts.

HIS BRITH AND CHILDHOOD

Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab was born in 1115 H. in the city of Uyayna, seventy
kilometers northwest of Riyadh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sheikh-ul-Islam
acquired his primary education from his esteemed father at his native place and was nurtured
under his guidance. He was intelligent enough to memorize the Qur'an by heart at the very tender
age of ten only. He read the books on Tafseer (exegesis), Hadith and Fiqh. From the very outset, he
was greatly interested in studying the works of early scholars, particularly those of Sheikh-ul-Islam
Ibn Taimiyah and his noble disciple Allamah Ibn Qaiyim. He went through all those books and well
grasped the contents. On attaining the age of maturity, the Sheikh Muhammad travelled to Hejaz
and performed Umra and Hajj before he went to Medina to visit the Mosque of the Prophet
Muhammad,‫صلي هللا وعليه وسلم‬,where he stayed for almost one month. Up on his return to Uyayna, he
married.

1
This widely scattered tribe is found in many parts of the Arab countries. Once the Prophet , saww, has praised it saying
“ It is the fiercest tribe of my nation to the Dajjal ” Bukhari.

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HIS JOURNEY TO HEJAZ

He set out to perform Hajj for the second time and met in Makah some scholars to whom he
forwarded his Da’wa .Even though they encouraged him, he wanted to postpone his Da’wa in
order to gain more beneficial knowledge. He then proceeded to Al-Madinah, met the learned ones
there, and adopted the studentship of two renowned erudite, Sheikh Abdullah bin Ibrahim bin
Sa'id Najdi and Sheikh Muhammad Hayat Sindhi for a long period who taught him Hadith. Before
he went back to Uyayna, he took their approval for his Da’wa that he was planning in the future.

N.B: Sh. Muhammad Haya Al-Sandi: was a hadith scholar in Medina .He was one of the
prominent Hadith scholars of his time.
Sh. Abdullah Ibrahim Saif: was a scholar in Hadith and Fiqh. Died in Medina.

HIS JOURNEY TO BASRA

Sheikh Muhammad’s passion for knowledge seemed limitless. That is why he travelled farther as
far as Basra to carry on the process of gaining Islamic Knowledge. He studied in the hand of Sh.
Muhammad Al-Majmuei Fiqh, Hadith and the Grammar of Arabic language. However while he
was studying he observed people doing many innovations and improper rituals that motivated him
to start his Da’wa then and there. As the Basra public and individuals enraged by his Da’wa, he was
compelled to leave the city.

HIS JOURNEY TO IHSA

Heading towards Sham, he found his provision discouraging; So he changed his direction and set
out to Ihsa where he stayed as a guest. He forwarded the main principles of Da’wa to the prominent
scholars of the city who were welcoming and understanding. Eventually he went back to Najd and
joined his family in Harmaila.

FACTORS INSPIRED SH. MUHAMMAD

1. Family life: The Great care, Islamic knowledge and righteousness of his father had put
enormous influence in the Sheikh life of Da’wa. His father was a judge and a scholar in Hadith
and Fiqh of the Ahmad Ibn Hambal School.

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2. Environment: Many sinful rituals which were being practiced in his town had also shaped his
way of Da’wa. To cite some of them:
a. Spreading of innovations and myths
b. Spreading of seeking intercession in graves of saints
c. Rubbing trees and stones in search of blessings
d. Swearing to others than Allah
(What affect do you think can this be?)

3. His Journeys for Knowledge: Sheikh had benefited from all his journeys as he came to know
many scholars in the fields of Hadith, Fiqh of Ahmad bin Al-Hambali school and literature of
Arabic language. More significantly he also discussed with them about Aqeeda (Islamic faith )
matters and about his future plan regarding Da’wa and received their approval.
Some of his works
Despite the fact that Sheikh-ul-lslam Muhammad bin AbdulWahhab was a reformer and a man of
Da 'wah, he still engaged in writing also. His some famous works are as follows:
1. Kitab At-Tawhid
2. Kitab AI-Kabaair
3. Kashf Ash-Shubhat
4. Mukhtasar Seerat Ar-Rasool
5. Masail Al-Jahiliyah
6. Usool Al-Iman
7. Fadail Al-Qur'an
8. Fadail Al-Islam
9. Majmu' Al-Ahadith
10. Mukhtasar Al-Insaf wa Ash-Sharh Al-Kabeer
11. Al-Usool Ath- Thalatha
12. Aadab Al-Mashi ila As-Salat
13. Detailed Life history of the prophet,‫صلي هللا وعليه وسلم‬
14. The Discipline of Walking to Salat.

And others.

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CHAPTER 2: THE DA’WA OF SHEIKH MUHAMMAD BIN ABDUL-WAHHAB

1. THE PHASES OF THE DA’WA :

The following phases were being passed before the Da’wa started to give its outcomes.

A. FIRST PHASE: The Beginning of The Da’wa.

Sheikh Abdul-Wahhab commenced his Da’wa in Harmaila. He forwarded to people the true Islamic
Monotheism, denouncing the innovations, bad deeds and the Shirks the ignorant people were
practicing and saying. People rejected his Da’wa; as a result many arguments and disagreements
happened between them. However Sheikh was not discouraged by their response, he remained
patient and continued his Da’wa. His father was concerned about him; so he advised him to keep
his Da’wa concealed. Respecting his father’s counsel, Sheikh kept his Da’wa secret.

Yet when his father died, Sheikh started his reformation call (Da’wa) publicly afresh. Some
people accepted his call, but many of them rejected it. While he was planning to implement his call,
a group of slave hooligans in the city plotted to execute him. Thus he fled to Uyayna.

B. SECOND PHASE: The Implementation Of The Da’wa

By the time the Sheikh arrived in Uyayna, his birth place, some information about his Da’wa was
already heard in the city. Its ruler, Othman Maemar, was fascinated by it and this was a compelling
reason for the Sheikh to emigrate to the town expecting also a support from his folks.

Thus Amir Othman welcomed him so affectionately and ordered his men to implement the
Sheikh instructions. Then the Sheikh and his followers, emboldened with the Amir Othman
authority, cut the trees that the ignorant people were taking as intersession, destroyed the dome
that was built on a grave, claimed to be of Zayed Bin Al-khatab, in Jabailah and stoned a married
lady to death after she repeatedly confessed that she committed fornication, fulfilling all the
requirements for a stoning penalty in Sharia.

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When the Da’wa entered the implementation phase, the conspiracy of the scholars who opposed
it doubled so that it doesn’t succeed. They confronted it and denounced it in every way possible.

All their schemes were not fruitful. So they intended to use more effective weapon. They went to
the Amir of Ihsa, who was the nominal administrator of Uyayna at that time. Then the Amir of Ihsa
wrote a letter to Amir Othman requesting him to expel Sheikh from his town or kill him. He also
threatened him to cut the supplies he was getting it in case he fails to follow his instructions. Thus
Amir Othman, concerned that the Amir in Ihsa may take against him military or economy actions,
ordered Sheikh to leave Uyayna. In such a way the Sheikh was forced to depart Uyayna and head
towards Dariyah guarded by some men of Amir Othman.

C. THIRD PHASE: Establishment Of a State

Sheikh Muhammad preferred Dariyah as his destination for his Da’wa for the following reasons:

1. It is very close to Uyayna.

2. It was stable and had progressive military capabilities.
3. Its relationship with Ihsa was tense.
4. His Da’wa was being adopted by its people. Many of its influential people, like the brothers of the
Amir Muhammad Saud and his son, were among its supporters.

When the Sheikh arrived in Dariyah, he stayed at the Suleim’s compound. Some Dariyah men
visited him there secretly. They wanted to ask Amir Muhammad Saud, the ruler of Dariyah at that
time, to support the Sheikh’s Da’wa. So they went to his brothers, Thunayan and Mashari, who
were among the supporters of the Da’wa, and asked them to urge their brother Amir Muhammad
Saud to back the sheikh.

Accepting the idea, the brothers hurried to the Mowdhi, the wife of the Amir, and told her about
the Sheikh and the nature of his propagation. When Amir Muhammad arrived home, she tried to
convince him to help the Sheikh saying, ”Allah has brought this man to you ; and he is just like a
wealth. So Take the opportunity Allah has favored you with” .His brothers also urged him to

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protect Sheikh and support him. Being convinced thoroughly, the Amir wanted to send his men to
bring Sheikh, but later he changed his mind and he preferred to go himself personally to show
respect to knowledge and the Sheikh. So to assure Sheikh, he went to Suleim compound with his
brothers and some of his men and welcomed the Sheikh.

THE IMPACT OF DARI’YA

After Amir Muhammad Bin Saud, the Amir of Dariya , and Sheikh Muhammad Abdul-Wahhab met
, Amir Muhammad extended his hand and gave his word to the Sheikh that he will protect the
religion of Allah, the most Exalted, as he asked the sheikh to promise him not to leave Dariya .
When the Sheikh agreed, in 1157 H. an impact was made between the Sheikh and Amir
Muhammad Saud.

On such terms of agreement, the Saudi Arabian Government was founded on the firm base of
Islamic monotheism.

ALSAUD ENDORSEMENT LEAD DA’WA TO SUCCEESES

After the Sheikh settled down in Dari’ya, he continued his struggle to spread the teachings of
Islamic Monotheism – Tawheed - assisted by Amir Muhammad Bin Saud. He was inviting people
to Islam by approaching them wisely and with pleasant and nice advices. He used many methods
in the Da’wa. The following can be mentioned as examples.

1. He opened his house to teach people about the Fundamentals of Islam and Islamic faith.
2. He sent letters to scholars and rulers in the neighborhood towns , requesting them to restore the
real fundamentals of Islam and supporting the call .
3. He sent also Duaat and Wuath to teach people their religion matters.
4. He also wrote short notes in “Islamic faith” (Aqeeda) so that all people read it.
5. He used to give ceremonial speech in the Dariya Mosque.

The call succeeded and flourished in Dariya as the sheikh efforts became fruitful. As a result
Dariya developed so dramatically and was crowded by residents. Only then Amir Othman Maemar
realized that he was wrong when he expelled Sheikh from Uyayna. So he came to Dariya. He met
Sheikh and asked him to return back to Uyayan, promising him that he will protect him. However
Sheikh responded saying that the case is on the hand of Amir Muhammad Saud. Amir Muhammad
rejected Othman Maemar demand completely.

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Many towns from Dariya neighborhood joined into Dariya and Sheikh continued to contribute
effectively in religious and military matters, receive delegates and counsel leaders in important
government issues. This was his duty until he died in 1206 H.

2. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE DA’WA

a. Realizing Tawheed (oneness of Allah) and sincerity in worshipping of Allah, the Most
Exalted.
b. Commanding the righteous deeds and prohibiting sinful deeds.
c. Destroying Shirk (making partner to Allah in any form), innovations and myths.
d. Implementing Sharia in all aspects of life.
e. Preventing all ways that leads to Shirk.
f. Establishing an Islamic government that protects the call and works to achieve its goals.

3. OUTCOMES OF THE DA’WA

The Da’wa of the Sheikh had left the following internal and external effects in the Arab Peninsula
society.

1. Destruction of polytheistic rituals- Shirkiyat-, innovations and other sinful deeds that were
prevalent in the Arabian Peninsula.
2. Restoration of Sharia principles and spread of Islamic culture among people.
3. Prevail of order and stability, replacing conflicts, wars and minor disagreements.
4. Realization of the land unity under one leadership.
5. Speedy progress of Dari’ya in the sectors of education, economy and construction, excelling other
towns of Najd.
6. Dariya became the center of education in the Arab Peninsula.
Revival of Islamic aspirations in many Muslim countries and flourished into many progressive
reformation movements.

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UNIT 2
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST SAUDI STATE

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SAUD FAMILY PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST STATE ESTABLISHMENT

Manie Almarid, the grandfather of Alsaud (saud family) was living near Qatif in a
village called Dari’ya. When he started to face difficulties in his living in the village, he
corresponded his relative,

Ibn Darie, who was living in North of Riyadh. Ibn Darie was kind enough to invite
him to his land.

Accepting the invitation, Manie came over with all his family members to Ibn
Darie who provided him with a plot of land so that he initiates his life. Manie settled in the
land and flourished it. He named it “Aldari’yah” after his home land to keep it’s reminisces
. Manie Almaried was the 7th grandfather of Muhammad Bin Saud Bin Muhammad Bin
Muqrin, founder of the First Saudi State.

Muhammad Bin Saud assumed the Dari’yah Emirate in 1139 H.It was during his reign,
a very great historic event happened and changed the fate of his family, in particular, and
the history of the Arab Peninsula, at large. It was the coming of the reformer Sheikh
Muhammad Abdulwahhab to Dari’ya and arranging of the historic “Dari’yah impact” with
Amir Muhammad Bin Saud under which the “first Saudi State” was established.

THE SAUDI STATE PRIOR WAGING HOLY ISLAMIC WAR (JIHAD) AGAINST
THE DA’WA ENEMIES

When the supporters of the Da’wa knew that Sheikh Muhammad found protection
and backing of the Amir Muhammad Bin Saud , ruler of Dari’ya, they started to gather
around him in Dari’ya.

During that time, Sheikh Muhammad on his part started to correspond the scholars
and leaders of the neighboring towns, calling them to support the Da’wa and join the
nascent Islamic government in Dari’ya. Some of them including the leaders of Uyayna,
Harmaela and Manfuha made use of such invitation and joined the Dari’ya government
willingly.

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While many other leaders rejected to be in the government. For instance Amir of
Riyadh,Diham Bin Dawws, remained a fierce enemy of the first Saudi state for a long time.
However this situation did not last too long. The government shifted to a new phase where
it had to use force in order to pave the way for the achievement of the Da’wa goals in
replace of preaching and persuasion after it conducted Da’wa peacefully for two years.

FAMILY TREE OF ALSAUD LEADERS

SAUD BIN MUHAMAD BIN MUQRIN BIN MARKHAN

THINAYAN MUHAMAD (1ST ) MISHARI

IBRAHIM ABDULAZIZ (1ST) ABDALLAH

THINAYAN SAUD I (1ST) TURKI (2ND)

ND
KHALID MISHARI (2 ) ABDALLAH FAISAL (2ND)
ND ST
(2 ) (1 )

ND
ABDRAHMAN (2 )
ABDALLAH (2ND)
SAUD ABDALLA
(2ND) ND
H (2 )
1 Leaders of First Saudi state (1ST)

Leaders of Second State (2ND) ABDULAZIZ (3RD)

l
e Leaders of Third State (3RD)
a
d Were not leaders ABDALLAH (3RD) FAHAD (3RD) KHALID (3RD) FAISAL (3RD) SAUD (3RD)

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CHALLENGES TACKLED BY THE FIRST SAUDI STATE

1/INTERIOR REBELLIONS

The new Saudi state in Dari’ya had suffered many obstacles that were being
sparked by the leaders who previously joined it willingly. The rulers of Harmaela,
Manfuha and Darmae rebelled against it. However due its strong military capacity, it
crushed them all. It had turned all its attention to its fierce enemy, the Amir of Riyadh,
Diham Bin Dawwas against whom the Saudi forces fought 17 battles.

2/EXTERNAL INTERVENTIONS

Dari’ya was also a target of External forces. The chief of Bani Khalid headed to
Najd in 1172 H. Though he besieged Jabaliya, he failed to penetrate the resistance forces so
he withdrew to Ihsah.

This invigorated the Dari’ya position against its enemies in Najd. However the Saudi
forces suffered a major defeat in Hair in front of the Najran cheifi ,Hasan Makrami army
thereby taking a lesson. In the Same year Bani Khalid chief came to invade Dari’ya. Though
joined by Amir of Riyadh,Diham Dawwas, Amir Zaid Bin Zamil of Dalem and

the people of Sadair, Washim and Hariq and besieged the Saudi forces for 20 days, he failed
to defeat the Saudi forces. So he withdrew to Ihsa without achieving his goal losing some of
his soldiers.

DEATH OF AMIR MUHAMMAD BIN SAUD

Amir Muhammad, the founder of the first Saudi Arabian government, passed
away in 1179 after he laid firm base for the Saudi government and participated actively in
spreading the reformation Da’wa of Sheikh Muhammad Abdul-Wahhab in most part of
Najd region.His son, AbdulAziz, inherited the leadership after him.

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Chapter 2: Some Civilization Features of the First Saudi Arabian Government

A/GOVERNANCE

The First Saudi Government was based on the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed) and Shari’a
Implementation. Thus the issues of its government was being run with close cooperation of
Sh.Muhammad Abdul-Wahhab by Al-Saud rulers. In the wake of Riyadh Conquest in 1187
H, Sh. Muhammad stepped down from his Financial Ministry position to be replaced by
Imam Abdul-Aziz Bin Muhammad. However Sheikh remained as the highest reliable
consulting authority of the Saudi Government in its essential state matters.

A ruler of the First Saudi Government was being titled as AMIR; but when the territory
of state expanded he started to be called “IMAM”. The crown prince rank was being
reserved for the eldest son during his father’s reign as a result the army leadership was
being put in his command .Thus he was considered the General Army Staff Commander of
the State.

With the expansion of the State, a governor was appointed to every district. He was
responsible to implement Shari'a among its residents, assist in collecting Zakah and make
necessary military preparation in order to defend the country territories or, if need be,
invade others specially those regions in the proximity of his district.

B/MILITARY LEADERSHIP AND RECRUITMENT

The First Saudi Government launched on the principles of Jihad in order to spread the
Da’wa teachings. Within a year a number of battles was fought, at times to spread the
Da’wa and at some other times to defend it. The State did not recruit regular soldiers except
those who were the special guards of Amir.

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The government was informing the governors of districts or the chiefs of tribes to
conscript certain number of fighters for the Amir and it specify the time and place when
and where they should be gathered. But this was not the only way of recruiting fighters.
There were also other fighters who were joining the Saudi Army voluntarily in search of
Jihad blessings or booty of wars. Some soldiers were also serving in protecting the Fortress
of the Army in turns. The Amir of The State was usually in charge of the army leadership or
he appointed his sons or some prominent figures of districts. The following were the most
famous commanders of the First Saudi Government army:

1. Hijaylan Bin Hamad, the ruler of Qasim

2. Abdul-Wahhab Abu Nuqtah , the ruler of Aseer
3. Suleiman Bin Ifaysan, the ruler of Kharj
4. Othman Al-Madhayfi, the Chief of Adwan tribe,
5. Mutlaq Matayri , the ruler of Baraymi

C/ECONOMY AFFAIRS

The Economic system of the First Saudi Government was very similar to the system
adopted by Islamic governments during the beginning of Islam. The major sources of the
government income were:

a/Zakah

b/War loot.

On the other hand, the biggest expenses of the government were allocated to run its state
activities, pay salaries for its governors, judges and Zakah collectors, reward teachers and
their disciples and support the poor and the victims of disasters.

The sources of income were more than the sectors of expenses specially in the reign of
Imam Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz.(Try to figure out why???).At the beginning, Sheikh
Muhammad was overseeing the financial issues of the state. But when the state expanded

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Amir Abdul-Aziz Bin Muhammad assumed his position. Finally it was added to the
responsibilities of the Amir of the government.

D/EDUCATION AND SCHOLARS

The First Saudi had exerted a lot of efforts in education. Thus the education activities that
stressed on Islamic knowledge like Tawheed, Tafseer, Hadeth, Fiqh and Sira (biography) of
the Prophet developed so much. Tawheed had the lion share of it. However though the
scholars taught the Arabic language very well and wrote in a proper way in the language
usage, there was not an enormous art development that can paired with the tremendous
Islamic knowledge development achieved.

In such period, some remarkable disciples of Sh. Muhammad Abdul-Wahhab happened

to be known as knowledgeable scholars of the time in addition to himself. Abdul-Allah Bin
Sheikh, Hussein Bin Sheikh (both of them were his sons),Suleiman Bin Abdul-Allah , his
grandson, Abdul-Aziz Bin Hussein,Abdul-Rahman Bin Nami and Hamad Bin Maemar
were some of them.

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CHAPTER 3 : THE FALL OF THE FIRST SAUDI ARABIAN GOVERNMENT

(Muhammad Ali Pasha's military campaigns against the Saudi Arabian

Government)

Since the Ottoman Empire considered the exit of Hejaz region from its influence a
serious blow to its reputation in the Muslim world, it launched its attacks to the Saudi
government and tried persistently to destroy it. Its first attempt was through its viceroys in
Baghdad and Sham that was not successful. Thus it headed to its Egypt viceroy,
Muhammad Ali, and appointed him to fulfill the mission. Sultan Mustafa IV issued his
command to Muhammad Ali in 1222 H. in which he ordered him to prepare a military
campaign and move towards Saudi land and fight the Saudi forces. However Muhammad
Ali Basha refused to implement the command claiming that his country was facing internal
and external threats. But when the Sultan insisted in appointing Muhammad Ali Basha , he
wrote to the Sultan informing him that the mission needs the following to be accomplished.

1. Recruiting big army from Sham and Iraq provinces in addition to the Egyptian forces.
2. Heavy Artillery
3. All requirements to prepare ships.
4. Enough money for the campaign

PREPARATION FOR THE CAMPAIGN

Muhammad Ali was not capable to launch his campaign before 4 years during which
he made ready the required ships to transport soldiers and their logistic staffs and built
stores in Swiss and destroyed the internal threats of Egypt.The number of soldiers in the
campaign reached 8000. Five thousand of them were transported by ships from Swiss and
3000 moved on land from Aqaba to Yanbu’ where all the forces gathered under the
command of Towson, the son of Muhammad Ali Basha.

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A/ TOWSON CAMPAIGN

The Battle of Wadi Safra’ in 1226 H. : The Towson forces arrived in Yanbu’ from the sea
and land , armed with modern weapons that he received from the Ottoman Empire .He
headed towards Madina. In his journey, he was distributing money to the chiefs of
tribes.(Can you guess what was his intention ).

When he reached Wadi Safra’, the Saudi forces under the command of Amir Abdul-Allah
launched fierce attack against him and his army. At the end of battle, the Egyptian forces
were defeated and ran away from the battle ground in all directions. Not to worsen the
Towson failure, the Saudi fighters did not chase the escaping army.

SEPARATION OF HEJAZ REGION TOWNS FROM SAUDI TERRITORIES

A/Medina (The City of Enlightenment )

Military assistance arrived to help Towson in addition to large amount of money by

which he would gain the support of tribes that lived near the Wadi Safra' (Safra' valley).He
headed towards Medina from where The Saudi forces had already withdrawn. Because of
less resistance from Saudi forces in the road , Towson reached easily in Medina and
besieged it and bombed it with heavy artilleries and bombs. Unfortunately some residents
of Medina cooperated with the invading forces of Towson against the Saudi forces in the
city who became in a weaker position. Disease also spread among them forcing them to
surrender to the Towson army in 1227 H.

B/ JEDDAH AND MAKKA

As a result of the military successes in Medina, the chiefs of many tribes in Hejaz sided
with Towson. This provided Towson a ground to infiltrate deeper inside Hejaz so much so
that he sent a letter to the Amir of Makka, Sharif Ghalib , secretly requesting him to allow
the unloading of his marine forces in the port of Jeddah. Sharif gave him his consent despite

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his renewal of allegiance to Saudi Government since he was considering the capture of
Saudi to Hejaz was a threat to his influence.

As planned the marine forces of Towson arrived Jeddah and headed towards Makka
with the guide of Sharif Ghalib ,who breached his allegiance to the Saudis .They did not
face any resistance; as the Saudi forces had already withdrawn from Makka in respect to
the command they received from Imam Abdul-Allah Bin Saud, they entered Makkah as
well in 1228 H.

C/ TAIF

When Abdul-Allah Bin Saud forces withdrew , the governor of Taif, Othman Al-Madhaifi
was forced to withdrew from Taif. Thus Towson captured the city easily as a result all
Hejaz exited from Saudi influence and the Ottomans realized their objectives of regaining
the Two Holy Mosques cities.

THE FIRST VICTORY OF SAUDI RESISTANCE FORCES

After Towson gained victory against the Saudi forces in Hejaz, the Saudis changed their
fighting system and drew a new system that drags the Towson forces into a dessert because
they were trained in the dessert fighting and were more tolerant in its difficulties.

Imam Saud organized two big armies. Leading one of them , he headed towards the town
Hanakiya in order to control the main road that is located between Medina and Qasim. He
succeeded in besieging the Egyptian patrol in Hanakiya and forced them to surrender.
Then he sent them to Iraq. He continued to attack the tribes that supported Towson until he
approached the Medina outskirts .Finally he went back to Dariya.

As to the second army , it was under the command of Amir Faisal Bin Saud. Its center was
in the town Turba. As soon as this army received military assistance from Bisha,it attacked
the Egyptian forces and those "Ashraf" who supported them .As a result the army was able
to cause great human and resources loss in the Egyptian ranks.

These Saudi victories motivated the Saudi leader , Othman Al-Madhayfi who attacked Taif
taking Basel as his center. However some Bedouins betrayed him and surrender him to
Sharif Ghalib who sent him to Egypt and then to the Ottomans capital city where he was
killed.These all developments caused great concern to the Egyptian forces. Hence Ibrahim

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Towson did want to take any risk in confrontation against the Saudi forces. Thus he only
protected Taif, Makkah and Jeddah with some of his soldiers and started to wait the
military assistance he requested from Egypt.

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UNIT 3
THE SECOND SAUDI ARABIAN

GOVERNMENT

(1309-1240)

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CHAPTER 1 THE ERA OF IMAM TURKI BIN ABDALLAH

BACK GROUND : The First Saudi Government destroyed by Ibrahim Basha

a/When was that ?
b/What did Ibrahim Basha do with Al-Saud and Al-Sheikh? Why?
c/What did Ibrahim Basha do to Dariya ? Why?

A/The First Attempt To Reestablish a New Government in Najd

After the fall of the First Saudi Government , Muhammad Bin Mishari Bin Ma'mar was
the first to attempt to reestablish a government in Najd taking Dariya his center for his
activities as he was aware of the most Najd people's special respect towards it . Before too
long some of the neighboring villages entered in the Najd rule and many of its resident who
abandoned it including Imam Turki Bin AbdAllah came back . (Who was Turki Bin
AbdAllah? Find his lineage in the Al-Saud family tree). Imam Turki had helped Ibn Ma'mar
in his activities as his followers increased .However his progress did continue too long since
he stepped down for the returnee Mishari Bin Saud-look for the linage of Mishari.

Who was first tried to reestablish a Saudi government?

As Ibn Ma'mar was obsessed by the desire of power and rule, he excused Mishari to
visit his relatives in Sadus. Thus he went there ; pretending that he was sick , he started to
gather fighters and form alliance with supporters .Then he headed to Dariya with his men
and controlled it arresting Mishari Bin Saud .Furthermore when he sent him to his relatives
in Sadus they surrendered him to the Ottoman governor in Unaizah to gain his friendship.

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B/Imam Turki Bin AbdAllah Efforts In Establishing The Second Saudi Government.

Turki Bin AbdAllah left Riyadh frustrated by what Ibn Ma'mar had done to Mishari
Bin Saud ,heading towards to Hair as Ibn Ma'mar entered the town and appointed his son
Amir of the town. But he was determine to take back the power to who deserves it.

Thus he went from Hair to Dharma' where he gathered supporters .Then he headed to
Dariya and captured Muhammad Bin Ma'mar , continuing his task he went Riyadh where
he captured Ibn Ma'mar son. He threatened them that he would not release them until they
submit him Amir Mishari Bin Saud. So when he learned that he died in Unaizah, he killed
them. In such a way Turki Bin AbdAllah started to establish the Second Saudi Government
, taking Riyadh as its capital and center.

The Position Of Muhammad Ali Basha Towards The Government of Imam Turki

Since Muhammad Ali Basha, the Governor of Egypt, was unhappy about the attempts
that aimed at uniting Najd anew, he sent a division of an army under the command of
Abush Agha in order to look into the political situations of the region from its center in
Unaizah.

When Turki succeeded in his activities , Muhammad Ali Basha sent assisting forces under
the command of Hussein Beik to his forces in Unaizah. All the forces then headed towards
Washm.Hussein Beik sent some of the forces under the command of Abush Agha to Riyadh
.They entered the city and besieged Turki in his palace. When the siege got unbearable
,Turki left the palace hiding himself by the darkness of night. He headed to the south of
Najd and settled down in Halwa.

Hussein Beik cheated the people who were inside the palace after they asked him his
protection and committed against them a lot of crimes like, killing, robbing and torturing.
Moreover before his departure the region, he left behind him patrol forces in each of
Riyadh, Manfuha, Tharmada' and Unaizah .

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However the resident of the these town resistance was fierce against the forces. Thus the
forces in Unaizah and Tharmada' were expelled from Najd by the people of the region
.Turki onhis side started to move.He left Halwa and arrived in Irqa' where many of his
supporters joined him. Then he forced the forces who were in Riyadh and Manfuha to leave
as he besieged them in Riyadh and the forces leader asked Turki for reconciliation. Turki
accepted his idea of reconciliation putting for him as conditions the following points:

a/His forces has to leave Najd with its weapons

b/He must give him his promise not to cooperate with the Riyadh residents against him.

This agreement was made in 1240 H. This entrance of Turki Bin Abd-Allah to Riyadh in
that year was the declaration of the Second Saudi Government rise.

Imam Turki Efforts of Uniting Najd

After Imam Turki regained Riyadh and drove out the Muhammad Ali Basha forces from
the region , he united all the Najd region people again without any fighting except some
Kharaj villagers only within two years for the following reasons.

a/The people of Najd had an ambition of being united under a nationalistic personality
that can bring them all together in order to live in peace and tranquility.

b/Turki Bin Abd-Allah's great leadership character.

Eastern Region Unity Under The Leadership of Imam Turki

The Bani Khalid chiefs had restored their rule in the Eastern region after the fall of the First
Saudi Government and the withdrawal of Ibrahim Basha army from that region. At this
time when Imam Turki united Najd under his rule , they stood against him fearing that he
may try to recapture the Eastern region anew. The military clash started between them in
1242 H. and was settled down in 1245 H. when the forces of Imam Turki gained victory

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over the Bani Khalid forces at the battle of Sabiyah as a result of which Ihas was put under
the Second Saudi Government rule. The Imam stayed there for some time during which the
chiefs of Qatif were delegated to him and declared their allegiance to him. After he
organized the region , he appointed Omar Bin Ofaisan as its governor and went back to
Riyadh.

IMAM TURKI AND THE OTTOMANS

Although Imam Turki successfully drove out the forces of Muhammad Ali Basha, he
tried to approach the Ottoman Empire and gain recognition for his new country from it
through corresponding its governors in Baghdad and Cairo. As a result he succeeded in
establishing a a fair bilateral relationship with the Baghdad governor, but the governor in
Egypt refused to recognize him .Furthermore he was not prevented from to launch against
Imam military attacks except his engagement in other battles outside of the Arab Peninsula
in addition to his internal challenge of the Asariyah Revolution.

Imam Turki on his side did not try to challenge the Ottomans or Muhammad Ali Basha by
attacking them in their sensitive Hejaz region.

THE END OF IMAM TURKI BIN ABD-ALLAH

When Mishari Bin Abdu-AlRahman Al-Saud, the nephew of Imam Turki, came from his
exile in Egypt , the Imam treated him very kindly and appointed him the governor of
Manfuha district .However Mishari was not up to the Imam trust ; so he fired him . In
resonse to such step , Mishari tried to overthrow Imam Turki , but he failed. When Imam
was outside Riyadh for military operation , Mishari left the city furious about the Imam
.He started to collect supporters against the Imam in Najd , but he was not successful at all
because of the people appreciation to the Imam efforts.

Finally as the Mishari was getting more and more obsessed by his power ambition , he
plotted against the Imam a plan taking the opportunity of the Saudi forces setting out from

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the city under the command of Faisal Bin Turki towards the Eastern region .Such plan
resulted the assassination of the Imam Turki –Allah Yarhamuh- in 1249 H. In this way the
era of that Imam came to an end. The Imam was a courageous, just great leader. He had the
ability of designing perfect strategies. He drove out the forces of Muhammad Ali from Najd

as he also united many regions of the First Saudi Government land. Thus he gained the
appreciation and respect of his subjects.

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CHAPTER 2 :IMAM FAISAL Bin TURKI

HIS INHERITANCE TO THE IMAMATE

In 1242 H. Faisal Bin Turki left Egypt and returned back to Najd. He became his
father's right hand and prominent assistant in strengthening the Second Saudi Government
institutions and expanding its territories. When he was informed about his father's
assassination , he hurried back from the Eastern region to Riyadh. He entered the city and
besieged Mishari Bin Abdul-AlRahman in his palace.

With the knowledge of Faisal Bin Turki, Abd-Allah Bin Rashid contacted Sewaid Bin
Ali who was inside the palace with Mishari. They agreed up on that

a/Sewaid would facilitate for Bin Rashid and some of Faisal men to get inside the palace.

b/Sewaid would be an Amir of the "Jalajel" , a position he held before he was fired by
Imam Turki

Based on the agreement , Bin Rashid entered secretly with some Faisal men and
arrested Mishari and executed him. This revenge was realized 40 days later after Imam
Turki assassination.

1/ The First Period of The Faisal Bin Turki Imamate (1250 H.-1254 H.)

After peace prevailed and order restored under the leadership of Imam Faisal in
Riyadh , delegations from the regions that had been in his father's rule hurried to Riyadh
and declared their allegiance to him.

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Then Imam Faisal headed toward some Bedouins in Najd to put them under his control
.They had already after they caused disorder and refused to pay Zakah . After he controlled
them , he appointed his friend Abd-Allah Bin Rashid a governor of "Jabal Shamar" .

THE POSITION OF MUHAMMAD ALI PASHA TOWARDS IMAM

FAISAL GOVERNMENT

1st Operation

As soon as Muhammad Ali Pasha put the internal conflicts under his control , he
devoted his efforts to root out the growing Saudi government. But from his past experience
,he was sure that most Najd people would not help him against their leaders ,Alsaud
family, because they respected and loved them very much.

Thus he sent an army under the nominal leadership of Khalid Bin Saud (look at the
Alsaud family tree)and actual leadership of Ismael Beik .When the army reached Qasim ,
Imam Faisal failed to resist it so he went back to Riyadh where its residents were not ready
to support him . So he went to Kharj and then to Ihsa with his men. The Ismael army
entered Riyadh without any resistance. But the residents of South Najd rejected the rule of
Khalid Bin Saud as long as he was supported by the Muhammad ALI army. When he went
to crush them , they defeated him near the village Halwa and he returned back to Riyadh
with his scattered soldiers .This victory encouraged Imam Faisal who left Ihasa heading
towards Kharj.He gathered his supporters and besieged Riyadh.

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2nd Operation

Muhammad Ali Pasha realized the weakness of Khalid Bin Saud and his army .So he sent
another army under the command of KHAWRSHID. Khawrshid sent a letter to Faisal
before he reached Riyadh promising him that he would appoint him a king in order to gain
some time until he reaches Riyadh. Faisal withdrew to Dalem.

When Khawrshid arrived at Riyadh , he warned Faisal to surrender or he would fight him.
When Faisal refused to surrender , he moved to Faisal and launched an attack against him
and his men.In the battle ,Khawrshid deated Faisal. Then Faisal finished the war by asking
Khawrshid not to hurt his to surrender himself and go with him to Egypt. In such a way the
first period of Imam Faisal era was closed in 1254 H

The Situation of Saudi Arabia In Between The Two Periods of Imam Faisal's era

Khawrshid withdrew with his forces from the Arab Peninsula according to the London
agreement reached in 1556 H. by which the British Empire and its allies forced Muhammad
Ali Pasha to withdrew his forces from Sham,Turkey,Arab Peninsula.Up on his withdrawal
,Khawrshid left small part of his forces with Khalid Bin Saud. People from outside of
Riyadh exploited his rule .Furthermore his rule did not continue for a year since Abd-
ALLAH bin Thinayan who was also one of the Alsaud family members rebelled against
him.Abd-ALLAH had started his activities from Hair. He agreed with the people of South
Najd to overthrow the government of Khalid Bin Saud who was at that time helpless and
left to Ihsa.

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Abd-Allah Bin Thinayan took over Thardma' and Riyadh.When Khalid heard about this
news he left Ihsa and headed towards Kuwait,then Qasim and Hejaz.

When Abd-Allah was informed that Khalid had left Ihsa , he sent a division of his forces to
the city and took it over. However the rule of Abd-Allah Bin Thinayan did not last longer
than 2 year.

1/ The Second Period of The Faisal Bin Turki Imamate (1250 H.-1254 H.)

Imam Faisal Regain of Rule : Faisal

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