"ملف 61/6 مجلد 4 (D 34) ابن سعود وحركة الإخوان" [و‎‎٣‎١] (٥٦٥/٦١)

and luxury, but has enough to spare on outside intrigues in all the countries border
ing on or in any way connected with the Hejaz. Large sums as bribes were being
sent to Syria, to Iraq and Nejd, 'Asir, Najran, etc. Even Egypt had the advantage
of this overflow of gold from Mecca. Difficulties were thus created for, and extra
expenses caused to him, Bin Saud. It was as the result of the Sharif's intrigue,
for instance, that he. Bin Saud, had to send a big expedition of 10,000 men to
Najran and 'Asir under his cousin Abdul Aziz Ibn M us'aid who went out in Ramzan
(2 months ago) and was still in 'Asir. The Sharif had incited Ibn Marai with bribes
and letters and emissaries to commit several acts of hostility and high handed
ness against the Imam Idrisi and also ill-treated Bin Sand's border tribes. Imam
Idrisi had written to him (Bin Saud) for help and hence the expedition, both to
help defending his distant tribes and his good friend the Idrisi. This expedition
alone had cost him a large sum, the last amount despatched to Bin Mus'aid in 'Asir
one day before my arrival in Riyadh, was £ 4,000 which, he called God to witness,
was obtained on loan. He was heavily in debt and would have to seek mor^ loans
although there was no prospect of easy borrowing in Nejd. Qusaibi (Abdul Aziz
bin Hasan) alone was due Rs. 90,000 which figure was conveyed to Bin Saud in
a letter brought by the man who escorted me from Hofuf to Riyadh. Qatif Ali
bin Paris probably claimed a debt of Rs. 50,000. If His Majesty's Government
had any regard for him, their sincere and loyal friend, it was time they helped him
as he had already submitted matters to Government through the Political Agent,
Bahrein. It was British Government who had tied his hands and his own nature
and religion " tabai' wa dini," were forcing him to abide by his pledges ; otherwise
his sheer needs and circumstances would rather have him break off and strike right
and left near and far. He need only give the word " Din " and the whole of
Jazirat-al-Arab would be overrun. His power could be fairly estimated from the
fact that the three recent gazus (expeditions) of Ad-Darwish against Koweit, of
Saud against Shammar and Bin Mus'aid against 'Asir consisted of 7,000, 15,000
and 10,000 men respectively, going almost simultaneously, and each of these was
thoroughly successful.
On my expressing a doubt as to whether these and similar gazus were justifi
able according to the tenets of Islam and general principles of humanity. Bin Saud
said that they were justifiable, necessary, and desira ble : firstly, they were sent
out in self defence, he siid, to safeguard essential interests and to avenge wrong
done to him and his people. Secondly his creed tells him to regard those Musal-
mans who do not follow the real commandments (as the Wahabi does, he evident
ly meant to say) as " Murtad," apostates, deserving a worse treatment than that
meted out to " Ahl-al-Kitab " (people of' the book, namely followers of other
revealed religions than Islam). The Muslims (Wah'abis were meant of course)
were at liberty, nay commanded, to fight such pseudo-Mussalmans whom Quran
called the " Murtad," apostates, and take their lives and property unless they
became Muslims (rather Wahabis). The Sharif and the Hejazis were the worst
of all these pseudo-Mussalmans, as they had all evils, smoking, drinking, debauchery
and lawi.tah (unnatural crime) prevailing among them and they nad nothing of
religion except name.
Bin Saud then passed on the Sharif's incessant use of spies and " muharrikin "
who were employed against Bin Saud. There were many of these in Nejd and Iraq,
Jebel Shammar, Yemen, etc. Muhammad Al-Asaimi, Saiyid Talib, Salih ad-
Da^histani were the chief of them. He once warned Sir Percy Cox against Saiyid
Talib whom he described as " Mai-Wabrah," water of Wabrah (on the route from
Iraq to Hail according to Farhan Beg), clear, bright, sweet to drink, but as soon as
it goes into the stomach it causes a griping pain and motion. Such was the
notorious Talib whom Government had now again allowed to return to Iraq.
He also said that he had reason to suspect that Shaikh Salim was instigated
by Talib and Khaz'al, both of whom were his old friends, but were by nature
inclined to mischief. If nothing else Talib would love to get a chance of coming
forward as an intermediary professing friendship and goodwill for both sides.
Bin Saud wondered how and why this worthy was allowed to return to Iraq at all
in these days when there were other disturbing factors in Iraq.
These were the topics Bin Saud spoke about to his heart's consent, saying
that he loved outspokenness or plain talk and that we were the persons he could best
t ilk to, there being none in his own " Hashiyah," circle, with whom he could
discuss such matters and unburden his mind.
C546rD . 12 „