The First Saudi State

1139-1233 AH / 1727-1818 CE

The Arabian Peninsula in the early 12th century AH (18th century CE) was in a state of chaos and political instability. Historians described the political and social conditions in the Arabian Peninsula during that period as fragmented, insecure, with numerous scattered and conflicting emirates.

In 1139 AH (1727 CE), the First Saudi State was founded by Imam Muhammad bin Saud, with Diriyah as its capital in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula.

The imams of the First Saudi State succeeded in unifying most regions of the Arabian Peninsula and ushering in a new era characterized by stability, security, and the application of Islamic law in all aspects of life. As a result of the establishment of the Saudi State, many scholars emerged, and knowledge, scientific, and economic aspects flourished.

Many institutions and administrative systems were established. The First Saudi State enjoyed great political status due to its strength and Islamic principles, its vast geographical expanse, and the balanced policies of its rulers based on supporting Islam and serving society and elevating its civilizational level. The First Saudi State ended in 1233 AH (1818 CE) as a result of campaigns sent by the Ottoman Empire through its governor in Egypt, Muhammad Ali, the last of which was Ibrahim Pasha's campaign that succeeded in destroying Diriyah and many towns in the regions of the First Saudi State throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

Rulers of the First Saudi State

• Imam Muhammad bin Saud bin Muqrin (1139-1179 AH / 1727-1765 CE)
• Imam Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Saud (1179-1218 AH / 1765-1803 CE)
• Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Saud (1218-1229 AH / 1803-1814 CE)
• Imam Abdullah bin Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Saud (1229-1233 AH / 1814-1818 CE)

The Second Saudi State

1240-1309 AH / 1824-1891 CE

Despite the destruction and devastation left by Muhammad Ali's forces under the leadership of Ibrahim Pasha in central Arabia, the destruction of Diriyah and many towns, and the spread of fear throughout the Arabian Peninsula, they were unable to eliminate the foundations of the Saudi State. The people in both the desert and settled areas remained loyal to the House of Saud, which founded the First Saudi State, appreciating their treatment and wise leadership, and supporting the Salafi call. Not two years had passed since the end of the First Saudi State before the leaders from the House of Saud reappeared to re-establish the Saudi State.

Their first attempt was in 1235 AH / 1820 CE when Prince Mishari bin Saud attempted to restore Saudi rule in Diriyah, but it lasted only a short period not exceeding a few months. This was followed by a successful attempt led by Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud in 1240 AH / 1824 CE, which led to the establishment of the Second Saudi State with Riyadh as its capital.

The Second Saudi State continued on the same foundations and pillars as the First Saudi State in terms of reliance on Islam, spreading security and stability, and applying Islamic law. The administrative and financial systems were similar to those in the First Saudi State, and sciences and literature flourished under the Second Saudi State.

In 1309 AH / 1891 CE, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal bin Turki left Riyadh following disagreements among the sons of Imam Faisal bin Turki, and the control of Muhammad bin Rashid, the ruler of Hail, over it. Thus ended the Second Saudi State.

Rulers of the Second Saudi State

• Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud (1240-1249 AH / 1824-1834 CE)
• Imam Faisal bin Turki. First Period (1250-1254 AH / 1834-1838 CE)
• Second Period (1259-1282 AH / 1843-1865 CE)
• Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki. First Period (1282-1288 AH / 1865-1871 CE)
• Imam Saud bin Faisal bin Turki (1288-1291 AH / 1871-1875 CE)
• Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal bin Turki. First Period (1291-1293 AH / 1875-1876 CE)
• Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki – Second Period (1293-1305 AH / 1876-1878 CE)
• Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal bin Turki. Second Period (1307-1309 AH / 1889-1891 CE)

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

1319 AH - Present / 1902 CE - Present

On the fifth of Shawwal 1319 AH, corresponding to the fifteenth of January (1902 CE), King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al Saud succeeded in recapturing Riyadh and returning with his family to begin a new page in Saudi history. This historical event marked a major turning point in the region's history, leading to the establishment of a modern Saudi state that succeeded in unifying most parts of the Arabian Peninsula and achieving wide-ranging civilizational achievements in various fields.

King Abdulaziz was given several titles during his reign, in addition to the title of Imam:

• Prince of Najd and Chief of its Tribes 1319 AH (1902 CE)
• Sultan of Najd 1339 AH (1921 CE)
• Sultan of Najd and its Dependencies 1340 AH (1922 CE)
• King of Hejaz and Sultan of Najd and its Dependencies 1345 AH (1927 CE)
• King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 1351 AH (1932 CE)

On the seventeenth of Jumada al-Awwal 1351 AH, corresponding to the nineteenth of September 1932 CE, a royal decree was issued to announce the unification of the country and naming it the \"Kingdom of Saudi Arabia\", starting from Thursday, the 21st of Jumada al-Awwal 1351 AH, corresponding to September 23, 1932 CE (the first of Libra).

King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud

Founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This announcement crowned King Abdulaziz's great efforts to unify the country and establish a solid state based on the application of the provisions of the Quran and the noble Sunnah. The first day of Libra, corresponding to the twenty-third of September, was designated to become the National Day of the Kingdom. With this announcement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established, which became a great state in its message, achievements, and regional and international status.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the reign of King Abdulaziz gained special international status, joining many international organizations and agreements, due to its great location and solidity. It was among the first countries to sign the United Nations Charter in 1364 AH (1945 CE) and contributed to the establishment of many international organizations aimed at establishing security, stability, and international justice, such as the League of Arab States in 1364 AH (1945 CE).

The Journey of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia After King Abdulaziz's Reign

After the death of King Abdulaziz – may God have mercy on him – on the second of Rabi' al-Awwal 1373 AH, corresponding to the ninth of November 1953 CE, his sons followed his path and completed the foundation and building according to the lofty principles on which the Saudi state is based. After King Abdulaziz, his sons ruled as kings:

King Saud bin Abdulaziz

1373-1384 AH (1953 – 1964)

He was pledged allegiance as king of the country. During his reign, building was completed and the march of development continued in various aspects. King Saud was keen to make many internal visits at the beginning of his reign to inspect the country, and external visits to strengthen ties of cooperation with neighboring and friendly countries. King Saud gave special attention to Arab and Islamic issues, continuing the approach of King Abdulaziz and the Saudi state.

King Faisal bin Abdulaziz

1384-1395 AH (1964-1975 CE)

He was pledged allegiance as king of the country in 1384 AH (1964 CE) after his brother King Saud's abdication, and continued the building march that his father King Abdulaziz began and his brother King Saud completed. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnessed many developments in various fields during King Faisal's reign, and became a leader in international meetings, Arab and Islamic summits due to its international status and noble message. In facing major blocs and the spread of misleading ideas and principles, King Faisal succeeded in directing Arab and Islamic efforts under the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which became a fundamental pillar in international politics.

King Khalid bin Abdulaziz

1395-1402 AH (1975 – 1982 CE)

He was pledged allegiance as king of the country in 1395 AH (1975 CE) following the martyrdom of King Faisal, to continue the march of development and building in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The country witnessed significant development in various fields of development during his reign, through benefiting from civilizational achievements while maintaining the constants of the Saudi state and its distinguished Islamic approach. The Kingdom continued during his reign to be at the top of Arab and Islamic policies, as it is a state firmly established in its leadership and principles, and hosts the Two Holy Mosques, the destination of Muslim hearts.

King Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques)

1402 AH (1982 CE) – 1426 AH (2005 CE)

In 1402 AH (1982 CE), the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz assumed power, guided by the approach of his father King Abdulaziz in building the state and society, and advancing them toward the highest civilizational levels.

The reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz witnessed great civilizational achievements reflected in the country's progress, the prosperity of life, the continuation of applying Islamic law, and attention to security and scientific aspects. The Kingdom also continued its development and progress in industrial fields as a result of his policies and care for comprehensive development plans and the establishment of the industrial infrastructure in the Kingdom.

During his reign, the largest historical expansion of the Two Holy Mosques occurred, and the economic, social, and civilizational levels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached their highest degrees. Saudi foreign policy during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz was characterized by effectiveness and realism, and formulating appropriate solutions for the most important Arab and Islamic issues.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

1426 AH (2005 CE) - 1436 AH (2015 CE)

On Wednesday, the 28th of Jumada al-Thani 1426 AH (3/8/2005 CE), he was pledged allegiance as king of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz supported Islamic solidarity, deepened fraternal bonds between Arab countries, and played an active role in bridging gaps in the Arab ranks, in addition to his active role in the global economy, the United Nations, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and non-aligned countries, as well as his generous contributions in local and humanitarian charitable works, supporting science and scholars, developing education, and establishing financial and scientific technical institutions.

He visited many Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries in Asia, Europe, America, and Africa, attended many Arab and Islamic summit conferences, and was keen on achieving peace in the Arab region.

His reign witnessed many achievements in the fields of higher education, general education, judiciary, health, expansion of the Prophet's Mosque, expansion of the Grand Mosque, and expansion of the Tawaf area.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

1436 AH (2015 CE) - Present

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, was pledged allegiance as king of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 3 Rabi' al-Thani 1436 AH, corresponding to January 23, 2015 CE. King Salman had spent more than two and a half years as Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister after his appointment on June 18, 2012 CE by royal decree, while remaining in his position as Minister of Defense, a position he had held since November 5, 2011 CE. Before that, King Salman was the Governor of Riyadh Region for more than fifty years.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is known for his care for heritage and attention to the country's history, alongside his distinguished efforts in development and advancement in the country. He has also contributed to various humanitarian fields within and outside the Kingdom, especially in the areas of relief and assistance.