Muhammad bin Abdul-Rahman

Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud ( Muḥammad bin ʿAbd ar Raḥman Āl Suʿūd; 1877 – 25 July 1943) was an Arab soldier and politician who played a role in the conquests of his half-brother Abdulaziz that led to the formation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Muhammad was the son of the last emir of Nejd, Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, and Sara bint Jiluwi, both from the House of Saud. Muhammad was an early supporter of his half-brother, King Abdulaziz, but they had a falling-out after both attempted to place their sons in line for kingship. This conflict may have led to the death of Muhammad's son Khalid in 1938. Muhammad later became a virtual non-entity in Saudi politics and died in Riyadh in 1943.

Early life Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman was the son of Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, twice Emir of Nejd, and his cousin Sara bint Jiluwi. and his maternal grandfather was Emir Faisal's brother Jiluwi bin Turki. his half-brother Abdulaziz would become the king of Saudi Arabia, while his half-brothers Abdullah, Ahmed, and Musaid would have a role in the Saudi government. Muhammad was said to be particularly close to his half-brother Abdulaziz and his half-sisters Noura and Al Jawhara.

Activities and career Muhammad accompanied his brother Abdulaziz on the latter's raid from November 1901 to January 1902, which resulted in Abdulaziz retaking the Masmak Castle and regaining control over Riyadh. Muhammad and his cousin Saud Al Kabeer bin Abdulaziz led the forces which helped Abdulaziz in the battle of Kanzan in 1915. In that battle the Al Ajman tribe wounded Abdulaziz and killed Muhammad's younger half-brother Saad bin Abdul Rahman. The Al Ajman then surrounded Abdulaziz's forces for almost six months before Abdulaziz managed to escape from them with the assistance of Muhammad and Saud Al Kabeer. He headed a group of 12,500 Najdi, and 7,000 of them were armed. Next year Muhammad also accompanied Prince Saud against the Al Rashidi forces.

After Abdulaziz took control over most of Arabia and proclaimed himself king, Muhammad was appointed governor of Mecca. He aspired to gain a much more powerful position in the government for himself and his son Khalid. To achieve his goals Muhammad attempted to eliminate Prince Saud, son of King Abdulaziz, in 1927 and in 1930, but both attempts were unsuccessful. and settled in Mecca.

Muhammad married many times. One of his wives was Hussa bint Ahmad Al Sudairi, who King Abdulaziz married twice and who later became the mother of the Sudairi Seven. Muhammad had a son, Abdullah bin Muhammad, with Hussa.

When King Abdulaziz first married Hussa bint Ahmed in 1913, she was thirteen-years-old. They divorced after a few years, but remarried in 1919. Hussa bint Ahmed remained married with King Abdulaziz until the latter's death in 1953.

Another spouse of Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman was Munira bint Abdullah Al Shaikh, who was the sister of Tarfa bint Abdullah, mother of King Faisal. He was killed in a car crash on the Al Dahna to Kuwait road.

Muhammad's second eldest son was Fahd (1904–?) who married King Abdulaziz's daughter Sheikha and was the governor of Al Qassim Province One of Fahd's daughters is Al Jawhara who is a member of the Consultative Council. Muhammad's grandson Fahd bin Abdullah bin Muhammad was deputy defence minister.

One of Muhammad's great-grandsons, Khalid bin Saud bin Khalid, was a high-ranking official at the ministry of foreign affairs. Other great-grandchildren of Muhammad are directors of the King Faisal Foundation.

Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman died in Riyadh on 25 July 1943 and was buried in Al Oud cemetery there.