'File 61/6 vol.4 (D 34) Bin Saud and Akwan Movement' [‎94v] (188/565)

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• twice only by chance along v?ith many others. I have been slow to go round
on visits. The reason is firstly that no one is a-calling on us as it is not the
custom here, I am told, though personally I doubt it very much and put
it down to the religious apathy of the pious Wahhabi. Surely they must be
visiting one another, more especially those of their class who come from a
far place. Secondly, I have come to know that Bin Sa'ud does not like the
idea of our going about and mixing with any of his people—he arranged our
visit to his father the Other day at my own request and with some reluctance.
Thirdly, I am sure we could not be welcome visitors to all or most houses
here as we are stracgers, non'Nejdis and non-Wahhabis, and nor could we expect
return calls.
75. It was interesting to learn that Bu Sharrain was a naughty slave
boy, and the name was adopted by Sa'ud in his boyhood as he too loved games
and fights and tried to excell his playmates. He still retains it with pride. He
is about 19 or 20 years old, rather handsome, of a cheerful disposition and
affable manner. Most of the conversation was about his recent 4 Ghazu'
(expedition) against Bin Rashid, of which he was very proud. He said, if what
fhe " Basrah Times " had published was true, I should not have found him alive.
One proof of his success was the presence of so many white Shammar camels,
which I had myself seen, and those who were only a small portion of the
booty. He also said in course of conversation that he would some day like
to ^o to Wilayah (England). He very much regretted having missed the last
opportunity owing to ill-healtb, when Faisal was sent instead of him. Sa'ud
has a large establishment and many slaves, who are all well-dressed and very
orderly. We were entertained with home-made sweets, grapes, melons and
sherbet and coffee. Glad to find the second pleasant and sociable man in Riyadh,,
the first being Bin Saud himself.
76. Prayed in the Jamia mosque for the second time. Surprised to see
a majority of men entering the mosque with shoes on. Before beginning to,
pray, shoes are taken off and placed in front almost touching the head when
the " Sijdah(prostration) part of the prayer is performed. This is truly
Wahhabi, First row behind the Imam (leader in prayer, Shaikh Abdullah
bin Abdul Latif) is occupied by Bin Sa'ud, his father, brothers, sons and relations
and retainers. There are about 20 rows of 200 to 250 men each. The mosque
is spacious but low-roofed, and of a very simple unornamented type. Evjen
the mosques in our villages in India are better in every way, to say nothing
of those of towns. So much for Wahhabi simplicity or puritanism.
77. At 4 p.m a big dust-storm or hurricane arose from the North and
soon spread all over, making it as dark as night. Windows and doors bad to
be shut, and after half an hour a fairly heavy shower of rain fell and drove
away the dust. Water flowed down from roofs into streets, but after an
hour the ground looked dry again This rain is quite an unexpected boon r
they seldom have rain here at this time of the year, their usual rainy season
being a brief spell during rabia (spring). x
78. After Maghrib, Bin Sa'ud had the selected camels collected from two
or three grazing centres outside Riyadh, brought before himself. He con
descended to examine each one of these excellent mounts and ordered one or
two to be substituted by better ones. This shows what a thorough man he
really is. He could well have left this job to a servant, but "Abdul" Aziz did"
it himself and remained standing in the street in front of the qasr (palace)
for quijte an hour examining the beasts, their "shidads" (saddles), trappings,
etc., and asking questions and making remarks about some of his favourite
beasts.
79. He then returned to his usual sitting-place on the roof between his
office and private house and there called us. As soon as we sat down he said
- that all arrangements for our journey to Mecca had been completed and we
.could start early next morning. Ahmad Thanaiyan was to attend to some
minor details that evening and to consult us regarding cooks, attendants, etc.
It was most important to go as light as possible and yet take everything of
necessity as nothing except "dhabihas" (goats or sheep) could be had on the
way. We had every thing we required and were quite ready to go. He then
said that he had told me all what he had in his mind about the Sharif.
Whatever the Sharif's views, hopes, etc., might be, he himself was always
willing and anxious to make a peaceful settlement with King Hussein whom