Muhammad bin Saud

Muhammad bin Saud Al Muqrin (; 1687–1765), also known as Ibn Saud, was the emir of Diriyah and is considered the founder of the First Saudi State and the Saud dynasty, which are named for his father, Saud bin Muhammad Al Muqrin. His reign lasted between 1727 and 1765. Origins Ibn Saud's family (then known as the Al Muqrin) traced its descent to the Banu Hanifa tribes but, despite popular misconceptions, Muhammad bin Saud was neither a nomadic bedouin nor a tribal leader. Rather, he was the chief (emir) of an agricultural settlement near modern-day Riyadh, called Diriyah. He had lands there and was involved in financing the commercial journeys of merchants. Furthermore, he was a competent and ambitious desert warrior. Early life Muhammad bin Saud was born in Diriyah in 1687. Among his siblings were Mishari, Thunayan and Farhan. The family resided in the citadel of Turaif in Diriyah. He defeated all of his siblings to establish his rule in Diriyah. Reign Muhammad bin Saud became local emir of Diriyah in 1727. The initial power base was the town of Diriyah where he met Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, who asked for protection. They formed an alliance in 1744 or 1745. Muhammad bin Saud asked Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab to accept the two conditions: (1) Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab should settle and stay in Diriyah and (2) he would not oppose the collection of tax by the ruler, Muhammad bin Saud. Although he accepted the first condition, he did not accept the second one arguing that he would acquire more through the battles and persuaded him not to collect tax. Muhammad bin Saud endorsed his proposal and declared their alliance. Their cooperation was further formalized by the wedding of Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab's daughter to Abdulaziz bin Muhammad, son and successor of Muhammad bin Saud. Thereafter, the descendants of Muhammad bin Saud and the descendants of Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, the Al ash-Sheikh, have remained closely linked. However, the alliance was not totally supported by his family, and one of his brothers, Thunayyan bin Saud, objected to such a cooperation.