Muhammad bin Abdul-Rahman


Muhammad bin Abdul-Rahman bin Faisal Al Saud was a son of Abdul-Rahman bin Faisal, Imam of the Second Saudi State based in Riyadh. Muhammad was an early supporter of his own brother King Abdulaziz. However, Muhammad and Abdulaziz had a falling-out after both attempted to place their respective sons in line for kingship. This conflict may have led to the death of Muhammad's son Khalid. Muhammad later became a virtual non-entity in Saudi politics.

Biography

There is some controversy regarding the date of his birth, with some sources making him older than his brother, the future king Abdulaziz, an important factor in his later maneuvering for succession to rule. In a publication by his family his birth year is given as 1877. It is also stated that he was born in Riyadh and was younger than King Abdulaziz. His mother was Sara bint Jiluwi bin Turki Al Jiluwi. He followed his family to exile in Kuwait after the collapse of the Saudi state in 1891.
In 1902 he was one of Abdulaziz's companions on the raid which retook the Masmak Castle and Riyadh. In 1920, Muhammad and his son Saud was sent to Hail to capture the province.
Following complete control over Saudi Arabia by the Al Sauds, Muhammad was appointed governor of Mecca. However, he claimed much more powerful position in King Abdulaziz's government which was not met. Then, in 1935 he left Riyadh.

Personal life and death

One of the early palaces following the establishment of the Kingdom was built by Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman outside Riyadh called Atiqah Palace. One of his wives was Hassa bint Ahmad Al Sudairi, who was the mother of Sudairi Seven. Another one was Munira bint Al Shaikh Abdullah Al Shaikh.
His eldest son, Khalid bin Muhammad, married to Prince Faisal's only full sister, Noura, in 1934 and he was killed in car crash on Al Dahna and Kuwait road. Muhammad's other son, Fahd, also married to King Abdulaziz's daughter Sheikha and was one the former governors of Al Qassim Province.
His grandson Fahd bin Abdullah bin Muhammad was deputy defence minister.
One of Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman's great grandsons, Khalid bin Saud, is a high-ranking official at the ministry of foreign affairs. The daughter of Khalid bin Saud is married to Saud bin Khalid, son of Khalid bin Faisal, current governor of Makkah Province and son of late King Faisal. His other great-grandchildren are directors of King Faisal Foundation. For instance, Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid Al Saud is the deputy managing director of the foundation.
Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman died on 25 July 1943.