Current Affairs Middle East

11 Less Known Facts About King Salman

Written by Shoaib

On 23rd January following the death of his brother, King Salman took the throne. These events at the centre of the Muslim World were watched by Muslims from across the globe as King Salman – for the first time – introduced a new generation to the line of succession and the former King was laid to rest in an unmarked grave following a simple funeral in accordance with Islamic teaching.

As Salman took the pledges of allegiance from the royal family and the religious leaders many people speculated what kind of King he would make. Now that he is comfortably in his third week as King, it would be a good time to look back over his reign and his record before that. Here are some less known facts about King Salman:

1. He recites the Quran like a Qari

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqumSzYqswc

In a video from before he was King we hear Salman reciting Surah Muzamil with flawless recitation. He is known to lead prayers at times and has lead funeral prayers as well. This is something which filled many in the Muslim World with affection for him.

2. Condemned 9/11 outright but he also condemned any overreaction in response

Some charities which had been funding extremism had been linked to some who were not. During this confusion Salman, who was governor of Riyadh at the time, asked for any anti-Islam witch-hunt to stop as well as condemning all extremists.

3. When a Prince committed murder, King Salman said no special treatment for Princes

A Saudi Prince killed his servant by beating him to death. In accordance with the countries law he was handed a death sentence. While some wondered that the Islamic law may apply for one but not the ruling family, King Salman who was Crown Prince at the time clarified the matter announcing that no special treatment would be given to the Prince and that the law is equal for all.

4. King Salman’s simple Tawaaf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z79ct_ugQ9s

While other leaders request vast security when visiting God’s house in Mecca, King Salman appears to have no concern as we can see him with fellow pilgrims while circling the Kaaba when he was Crown Prince. At the sight of him rubbing shoulders with his fellow Muslims, many in the Muslim World expressed their delight on social media platforms.

5. Two Months Free Salary for Citizens

While most countries worry about tax, Saudis got the complete opposite when the King announced two months bonus salary for free to all state employees, pensioners, students, those on welfare or special needs and other groups.

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6. He is on Twitter!

The King’s Twitter account can be found here. It should be noted that in one of his first tweets he expressed his love for his people telling them they deserve more than what he can do for them. He said

You kind people, you deserve much more and whatever I did will not be able to give you what is your right. I hope Allah will be with me and with you to help us serve our religion and our country. And don’t forget me in your prayers

7. He is devoted to his prayers

Ealier this month we saw extraordinary scenes where President Obama was left standing on the red carpet as King Salman went to pray Asr prayer with congregation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdBLboebeY0

It should be noted that praying in congregation is not a requirement but something which devoted Muslims try to do. Social media was abuzz with some commenting that the King understands that the King of Kings in Islam is Allah.

8. As Governor he completely ended all corruption

While he was governor of Riyadh, he managed many achievements but mostly that he was notoriously anti-corruption. Bruce Riedel comments that the then Prince Salman had a record of good governance with a lack of corruption

9. He has called for justice even if it is against himself

In the last few days King Salman asked anyone who has been transgressed to come forward and he will give them their due even if it is his own children, grandchildren or others from the royal household. The video can be found here

10. Charity, Research and Religion

Apart from supporting the Shaykh Bin Baaz Foundation, the King is the head of the supervisory board of the Madinah Research Centre and chairman of the King Salman Centre for Disability Research. His charitable efforts were praised by the United Nations.

11. The King pardoned all public-right prisoners

In a shocking announcement the King issued a royal pardon for anyone who had fines under half a million Saudi Riyal. He even went further and said that any payments the criminals had outstanding, the government would pay the victims their due.

Conclusion

The Muslim World has its hopes high for King Salman and many Muslims have been making prayers for his reign. It must be acknowledged that King Salman has done some exemplary things and has won the hearts of his people.

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About the author

Shoaib

CEO of Hujjaj.co | Director of the Organisation for the Conservation of Islamic Heritage | President of itiba.tv | Editor Muslim World Journal | Pharmacist | You can find me on Instagram and Facebook

shoaib@muslimworldjournal.com

20 Comments

  • May Allah subhanatalaa give king Salman good health to help all the needy Muslim ummah in the world on behalf of our prophet PBUH to continue his services and show that Islam is for peace love dignity sacrifice help equality and our submission to Allah and to be on our iman path

  • pretty one sided article here, brother. i would like to know what he and his administration are doing to support the Muslims out there who are enduring difficulty. He is, after all, the custodian of the two holy Mosques, right?

    • Custodian of the two holy mosques surely doesn’t mean he is now required to fix the problems of all Muslim countries, right?

      Plus Saudi has done a lot for other countries. Aid with no strings attached to Pakistan, during the Gaza offensive alone they gave $1BILLION to Palestinians.

      I am of the mindset that the Ummah needs to stop self-hating and move along now to recognising achievements as well.

  • “It should be noted that praying in congregation is not a requirement but something which devoted Muslims try to do. ”

    As salamu alaykum brother Shoaib. May Allah preserve you for the haqq you ve spoken about this humble king. Just something I came across in your article and wanted to clarify.

    Praying in jammah is obligatory unless one has a genuine excuse ie he is sick or traveling or the likes. So please kindly edit that because you ll be suprised who this message reaches .

    God bless.

    • Wa alaykum salaam. Yes I meant to say that if one is in an important meeting such as with the President of the USA, in Islam one can leave the congregation prayer without blame.

      JazakAllahu khairan for pointing this out.

  • May Allah reward you abundantly for disclosing such treasured facts. We the Nigerian Muslims thought that the death of Naif was the end of our hopes and improvements in Saudi leadership but ALHAMDULILLAAH you have rekindled the dashing hope. May Allah lead and guide the king.

  • May Allah bless the king n give him long life Ameen my request was and is very small if he could also grant us expactrates special bonous for all the workers working here in private sectors like colleges banks companies etc thanks

  • Brother shoaib..awesome views on king salman bin abdul aziz , Masha’Allah he is a brave leader of muslim ummah..

  • As Salaamu Alaikum, I am confused about the statement that shoaib
    February 11, 2015 at 10:57 am
    Wa alaykum salaam. Yes I meant to say that if one is in an important meeting such as with the President of the USA, in Islam one can leave the congregation prayer without blame.

    JazakAllahu khairan for pointing this out.

    • What I was trying to say in this comment is this: If a Muslim is in an important meeting (for example, a meeting with the President of another country) then he can delay the prayer in jam’ah (congregation). The fact that King Salman did not do this shows really the height of religious commitment he has and that he inshaaAllah understands the King of Kings is Allah

  • Your bias one-sided article praising Salman highlights your romantic loyalty you have towards them. The inaccurate representation and sheer ignorance of the true saud clan is direly shocking but not surprising. Many are ignorant of what is true genuine leadership based on Islam. To begin with the saud clan are no more than illegitimate rulers who betrayed the Musim Ummah. They are treacherous to the core and to support or show praise is in fact of the highest form of naivety. Truly shocking article!

    • My article stating 11 things about King Salman was biased? Would you care to shine light on what I missed out from his record to make it unbiased?

      Illegitimate rulers? lol

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