Saud bin Muhammad Al Muqrin

Saud was descended from the Muqrin Branch of the House of Mani', whose earliest recorded ancestor was Mani' ibn Rabi'a al-Muraydi, who settled in Diriyah in 1446–1447 with his branch, the Mrudah.^[1] The Mrudah are believed to be descended from the Banu Hanifa branch of the Rabi'a tribal confederation.^[1]

The House of Saud originated as a leading family in the Sheikhdom of Diriyah, near the modern city of Riyadh in central Najd. In the early 16th century, Saud bin Muhammad’s ancestors took over some date groves—the main form of agriculture in the area—and settled there. Over time, the groves grew, and the branch became recognized as its leaders.^[2]

Saud had several sons, including Muhammad, Thunayyan,^[3] Mishari, and Farhan.^[4] Following Saud’s death in 1725, he was succeeded by his son Muhammad.^[5]

During Muhammad’s early rule, an internal family conflict emerged after his uncle Muqrin was reportedly killed by him. This dispute created an opportunity for Zayd ibn Markhan to assert control over Diriyah.^[6]

Muhammad bin Saud established the First Saudi State in 1727. In 1744, he formed a political and religious alliance with Muhammad Abd al-Wahhab, marking the beginning of expansion across Arabia.^[7] Some sources regard Saud as the founder of the House of Saud, while others consider Muhammad bin Saud to be its founder.

• First Saudi state
• Second Saudi state
• Third Saudi state
• Sheikhdom of Diriyah
• List of Saudi rulers
• History of Saudi Arabia