Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud
Emir of Nejd and Head of the House of Saud (r.1841-1843)
About Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud
Lived 1800 – 1843. Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud was a Saudi politician and imam.
Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud (; died July 1843) was Emir of Nejd from 1841 to May 1843. He is the sole member of the Al Thunayan branch of the Al Saud who became emir.
Early years Abdullah bin Thunayan was a great-grandson of Thunayan bin Saud, who was the brother of Muhammad bin Saud, founder of the Emirate of Diriyah. Therefore, he was a great-great-grandson of the founder of the Al Saud dynasty, Saud bin Muhammad.
Until 1841 Abdullah was in southern Iraq under the protection of the Muntafiq tribe.
Reign Abdullah's third cousin Khalid bin Saud, the Emir of Nejd, had been backed by the Egyptians and lost power when they had to leave Nejd in 1840. Abdullah's major supporter was the ruler of Al Hariq, Turki Al Hazzani. As a result of this support Abdullah was titled as imam. He ruled the emirate from Riyadh.
In 1842 Bahraini royal Mohammed bin Khalifa asked help from Abdullah following his defeat at al Nasfah battle against the ruler of Bahrain, Abdullah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa.
Death and personal life Abdullah did not endorse the leadership of Faisal and was imprisoned in Al Masmak fortress where he died of poisoning in July 1843. He was buried in Riyadh following the funeral prayers led by Imam Faisal bin Turki.
One of Abdullah's sons was born on the same day he died. Due to this, he was also named Abdullah. He was the father of Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Thunayan and paternal grandfather of Iffat bint Mohammad Al Thunayan.
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Important facts
Family & relationships
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud?
Emir of Nejd and Head of the House of Saud (r.1841-1843)
When was Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud born?
Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud was born in 1800.
When did Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud die?
Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud died in 1843.
What was Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud's occupation?
Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud was a politician and imam.
What nationality was Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud?
Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud was Saudi.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud
· DBpedia: Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud. https://biography.guide/abdullah-bin-thunayan-al-saud/
MLA: "Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/abdullah-bin-thunayan-al-saud/.
Chicago: "Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/abdullah-bin-thunayan-al-saud/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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