Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani
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Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani | |
|---|---|
 A picture of Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani, taken sometime in 1900 at Mecca | |
| Born | 1863 |
| Died | 1906 (aged 42–43) |
| Occupations | Trader, merchant and later governor |
| Years active | c. 1880–1906 |
| Honours | The title of Pasha (Arabic: باشا, romanized: basha) |
Pasha, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani (1863–1906) was a Bahraini merchant and pearl trader who served as the governor of the Darin village on Tarout Island under Ottoman rule. The Al Faihani Palace at Qatif is named for him.
Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani was born in 1863 in Muharraq. He received his education at the age of fifteen in Mecca, before returning to his homeland to assist his father's pearl trading business.[1] After his father had died, Al Faihani inherited his father's business and became a prominent trader. Reportedly, he was one of the richest men in the Arabian Peninsula at the time.[1]
Al Faihani's home village was destroyed in 1882 during an invasion by Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani.[1] He emigrated to the Darin village on Tarout Island.[1] He earned the recognition of the Emirate of Nejd who gifted him the Darin Castle for him to stay in, which he renovated and expanded between 1884 and 1885, and is now named after him.[2][3] He also stayed in there starting from November 10, 1885.[2]
At some point of time, Al Faihani agreed to comply with the terms of the Ottoman Empire, and was given governorship over the village of Darin on Tarout Island as well as the title of pasha.[1] In 1891, the Ottoman administration offered Al Faihani the opportunity to govern and rule Zubarah, but he politely declined the offer.[4]
Al Faihani became ill in the early years of the 20th century, requiring him to visit the city of Bombay, India for treatment. He died there in 1906.[1]
