The Beginning of the House of Saud – The First Saudi State (1744–1818):

The House of Saud is the current ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia, whose roots trace back between the 15th and 17th centuries. Their political rise began under the leadership of Muhammad ibn Saud (died 1765). In 1744, he formed a historic religious-political alliance with the Islamic reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (rahimahullah) — an alliance later known as the "Wahhabi-Saudi Pact," which laid the foundation for the Saudi dynasty.

Background of the House of Saud:

Ancestry:

Among the early ancestors of the Saud family was Manṣūr ibn Muraydi, a member of the Al-Muraydi tribe who migrated from Eastern Arabia to the Diriyah region of Najd around 1446 CE. The name "Al Saud" (meaning "descendants of Saud") originates from this lineage.

Diriyah – The Base of the Saud Family:

Diriyah, located north of present-day Riyadh, was a small settlement under the control of the Saud family. Here, Muhammad ibn Saud emerged as a local ruler.

Muhammad ibn Saud – The Founding Leader:

Profile:

Born around 1710 CE into the ruling family of Diriyah, he was a wise, visionary, and politically astute leader.

Alliance with Ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1744):

In 1744, the Islamic reformer Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab sought refuge in Diriyah. Muhammad ibn Saud supported his call and together they formed a historic agreement:

Ibn Abd al-Wahhab would promote Islamic da’wah (based on pure Tawheed)

Muhammad ibn Saud would provide political and military support

This agreement led to the foundation of the First Saudi State — an Islamic state based on religious and political unity.

Phases of Saudi Rule:

First Saudi State (1744–1818)

Founder: Muhammad ibn Saud

Capital: Diriyah

Ideology: Wahhabi doctrine

Fall: Crushed by Egyptian forces under Ottoman command

Second Saudi State (1824–1891)

Founder: Turki ibn Abdullah Al Saud

Capital: Riyadh

Fall: Due to internal conflicts and external enemies

Third Saudi State – Modern Saudi Arabia (1902–Present)

Founder: Abdulaziz ibn Saud

Event: Recaptured Riyadh in 1902 → Founded the state of "Saudi Arabia" in 1932, becoming the first king

Origin of the Name "Al Saud":

The name "Al Saud" comes from an ancestor named Saud ibn Muhammad. His descendants came to be known as "Al Saud" — meaning "descendants of Saud."

List of Saudi Kings (1932–Present):

 King                         Reign Period Notable Facts    

1. Abdulaziz ibn Saud 1932 – 1953 Founder of Saudi Arabia, known as "Ibn Saud"    

2. Saud bin Abdulaziz 1953 – 1964 Son of the founder, dethroned due to weak rule and internal crisis    

3. Faisal bin Abdulaziz 1964 – 1975 Popular and reformist king; key role in oil policy and Islamic unity    

4. Khalid bin Abdulaziz 1975 – 1982 Period of relative stability    

5. Fahd bin Abdulaziz 1982 – 2005 Took the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques"    

6. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz 2005 – 2015 Introduced social reforms and increased women's participation    

7. Salman bin Abdulaziz 2015 – Present Current king; real power held by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)  

Biography of Abdulaziz ibn Saud (Brief):

Full Name: Abdulaziz ibn Abdul Rahman Al Saud

Honorific Title: "Ibn Saud"

Birth: 1875 CE in Riyadh (then part of the Najd region)

Family: Son of Abdul Rahman Al Saud, ruler of the Second Saudi State

Regaining Power:

After the fall of the Second Saudi State in 1891, the Saud family went into exile in Kuwait. In 1902, at just 27 years old, Abdulaziz recaptured Riyadh with only 60 companions! Over time, he took control of Najd, Asir, Ha'il, Hejaz (including Mecca and Medina), and Al-Ahsa.

Formation of the State:

In 1932, he unified the territories of the Arabian Peninsula and proclaimed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al-Mamlakah Al-‘Arabiyyah As-Su‘ūdiyyah) — becoming its first king.

Oil Discovery:

In 1938, vast oil reserves were discovered in Dhahran (eastern province), marking the beginning of Saudi Arabia's economic rise.

Death:

He passed away in 1953 in Riyadh. He is remembered as the architect of Saudi politics and the father of modern Saudi Arabia.

Summary Table:

 Topic             Information    

Founder             Abdulaziz ibn Saud    

Reign             1932 – 1953    

Contributions     Unified modern Saudi Arabia, utilized oil resources, established Wahhabi doctrine as                             state ideology    

Legacy             His descendants have ruled Saudi Arabia since  

Conclusion:

 Topic             Explanation    

Origin             Mansur ibn Muraydi → Muhammad ibn Saud    

Center             Diriyah (Najd region)    

Alliance             Muhammad ibn Saud + Ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1744)    

Vision             Establish Islamic governance, promote Tawheed, eliminate superstitions    

State Declared In 1932 by Abdulaziz ibn Saud → Formation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia