Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Bin Turki Al Saud

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Bin Turki Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud (1851 - 1928) was the last ruler of the Second Saudi State. He was the grandson of its founder Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud. He was the youngest son of Imam Faisal Bin Turki. His mother was Princess Sara Bint Mishari Bin Abdullah Bin Hassan Bin Mishari Bin Saud. His father passed away when he was fifteen years old, and he lived for another sixty-four years.

The most notable son of Imam Abdulrahman is King Abdulaziz, the founder of the Kingdom, and his most notable daughter is Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman.

He assumed power as the rightful heir to the rule of his brother, Imam Abdullah.

The reign of Imam Abdulrahman lasted for two years, starting in 1889 and ending in 1891.

In 1875, he abdicated in favor of his brother, Imam Abdullah, upon his return to Riyadh, recognizing him as the legitimate ruler. The state's authority weakened due to the defection of the Prince of Hail, who was under the second Saudi state, leading to a decrease in the state's obedience. This resulted in Ibn Rashid, supported by the Ottomans, taking control of Najd and causing the decline of the rule of the Second Saudi State.

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal decided to leave Riyadh with his family to the eastern of the Arabian Peninsula due to the instability in Riyadh, thus marking the end of the Second Saudi State in 1891.

The Ottoman Empire attempted to persuade Imam Abdulrahman to return to Riyadh and regain his influence in exchange for being under their control in the region. However, he rejected this proposal as it conflicted with the principle of Saudi statehood, unity, and independence from any other influence.

Imam Abdulrahman moved to Kuwait to reside there for ease of monitoring events from there and to prepare for his return to Riyadh.

Among the reasons Imam Abdulrahman chose Kuwait as his residence were its welcoming of the people of Najd who had left Riyadh and its surroundings, rejecting the rule of Ibn Rashid, its strong relationships with Najdi traders, and the ease of keeping abreast of political developments there.

After King Abdulaziz successfully reclaimed Riyadh in 1902, initiating the struggle to re-establish the Saudi state for the third time, Imam Abdulrahman returned from Kuwait to Riyadh. His son offered him the throne, but he pledged allegiance to his son, King Abdulaziz.

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal took the responsibility of protecting Riyadh during the battles of his son Abdulaziz against the armies of Ibn Rashid. He managed to deter the forces that attempted to exploit the king's absence from Riyadh, forcing them and their fighters, numbering nearly four thousand, to retreat.

Imam Abdulrahman participated with his son Abdulaziz in devising war plans and battles, and in unifying many provinces. In 1924, he chaired the Riyadh Conference, which was attended by tribal chiefs and dignitaries. The conference addressed the issue of pilgrimage to Makkah al-Mukarramah and the necessity of reclaiming the Hijaz.

Imam Abdulrahman was characterized by many qualities, including piety, justice, asceticism, humility, love of knowledge, courage, philanthropy, and tolerance. He had knowledge of genealogies, the conditions and history of the Arabs, and extensive reading of religious and literary books. Imam Abdulrahman was known for his interest in medicine through his extensive reading of Arabic medical heritage books. He passed away in June 1928, at the age of seventy-nine.