Sabah I bin Jaber

Sheikh Abu Salman Sabah I bin Jaber Al Sabah (c. 1700–1762) was the first ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait. He was chosen by his community for the position of sheikh.

Reign of Sabah bin Jaber The families of the Bani Utbah arrived in Kuwait in the mid 1700s and settled after receiving permission from the Emir of al-Hasa Sa'dun bin Muhammad who ruled from 1691 to 1722. In 1718, the head of each family in the town of Kuwait gathered and chose Sabah I bin Jaber as the Sheikh of Kuwait, becoming a governor of sorts underneath the Emir of Al Hasa.

In 1752, Kuwait became independent after an agreement between the Sheikh of Kuwait and the Emir of Al Hasa in which Al Hasa recognised Sabah I bin Jaber's independent rule over Kuwait and in exchange Kuwait would not ally itself or support the enemies of Al Hasa or interfere in the internal affairs of Al Hasa in any way. Upon his death, Sabah I was succeeded by his youngest son, Abdullah bin Sabah.