King Abdulaziz Al Saud - E-book - ePub

This book gives a brief historical reading and analysis of the history of Islam and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, focusing on the life story of the national father and founder of the Kingdom - King Abdulaziz Al Saud. The word "Islam" appears in the Noble Qur'an eight times. Weston (2008) explained in his book, "Islam, an Arabic word meaning 'submission' (to God). A Muslim is one 'who submits' (to God)." As all the other twenty-four Prophets (AS) mentioned in the Qur'an, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the last Prophet sent to humankind, delivering the same message: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah/God (SWT)! Contrary to many misunderstandings by outsiders, Islam "forbids conversion by force" (Weston (2008)) and commands "Muslims to respect the beliefs of Jews and Christians, whom the Qur'an called the "People of the Book/earlier revelation" (Karen, Armstrong (2000)).
As Weston pointed out, "The common Western belief that Islam is a 'religion of the sword' is mistaken." Islam advocates peace: The noun ??????? (salaam) means "to be protected from all afflictions and defects, and to remain peace and without hostility." Regardless of their mother tongue, Muslims greet others in Arabic, "Assalamu Alaykum, " which means "peace be upon you." The response should be "Wa alaykumussalam, " which means "and peace be upon you also." Such a mutual prayer for peace advocates love among believers.
One of ninety-nine of Allah's (SWT) most beautiful names is "As-Salam, " which indicates He (SWT) is "the One Who gives peace and security" (Abdul Aziz (2014)). As early as 1446, the Al Saud family established Diriyah in central Arabia. After nearly two hundred years of continuous development and consolidation, the Saudi State formally took its shape in 1727, led by Imam Muhammad Bin Saud, reaching its peak in the early 19th century under Imam Saud Bin Abdulaziz.
A vision of achieving and sustaining peace and prosperity with unity had formed by then. The vision is the soul of Saudi Arabia, like a phoenix, after reaching the first peak under Imam Saud, experiencing nirvana in 1818 with Imam Abdullah's great sacrifice, then was reborn led by Imam Turki in 1824, followed by the restoration of prosperity under Imam Faysal from 1834 till 1865, and overcoming 1890/1891's temporary turmoil under Imam Abdulrahman, eventually achieving renaissance miraculously since 1902 inspired and led by King Abdulaziz.
After decades of joint efforts by all Saudis nationwide, since its establishment in 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become the strongest unity, achieving and sustaining peace and prosperity ever since. Mashallah! The life story of King Abdulaziz is full of legends, treasure, and wisdom; whoever learns it with a humble heart will certainly benefit from it. Likewise, whoever overlooks such a treasure does not make any others lose but oneself.
As King Abdulaziz says, "For a nation to advance, every member must play a role in fulfilling three duties: first, their duty towards Allah (SWT) and religion; second, their duty to preserve the glories of the past; third, their personal duty of acting as honourable individuals."