Page 109 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

conduct in al-Zahirah, where he tried to gain possession of the settlement of
Dank, as well as on the coast, where he tried to seize the oasis of Dhayd,
created further animosity. Sa‘d’s intention, no doubt, was to establish Su‘udl
garrisons in various directions in order to exercise more control over the tribes
of those localities. These proceedings, together with Sa‘d’s harsh conduct
toward the local people, lessened the affability of the tribes.882 Not only the
Nu‘aym in al-Burayml, but also some of the shaykhs on the coast, began to
grow disgusted with Sa‘d’s behaviour.883 Although unhappy with Sa‘d, the
tribes of both regions neither withdrew their allegiance to the Su‘udl state nor
ventured to actively oppose the deputy.884 Instead, they complained to Amir
Faysal, accusing Sa‘d of oppression and extortion.885
Faysal promptly recalled Sa‘d to al-Riyad to investigate the matter. 886
Unaware of the reason for the summons and perhaps uncertain whether he
would be returning to ‘Uman, Sa‘d brought the remaining part of the booty
and zakah to deliver to al-Riyad. It is difficult to establish what sort of
discussion took place between Faysal and Sa‘d regarding the complaints and
accusations. It is likely, however, that Sa‘d defended himself well, especially
with respect to the revenues, since Faysal forgave him and, shortly afterwards,
sent him back to ‘Uman.887
Dissatisfaction with Sa‘d continued to build among the tribes and
complaints concerning his personal appropriation of part of the zakah again
found their way to Faysal.888 Annoyed by such complaints, Sa‘d resolved to
pay a visit to al-Riyad in order to defend himself and justify his conduct. 889
Just as he was about to leave, Sa‘d received word from al-Riyad that he should
remit the zakah but remain where he was. Sa‘d promptly despatched thz zakah
to al-Hasa by sea in a vessel provided by Sultan b. Saqr, the shaykh of
al-Shariqah. Then, in early 1847, Sa‘d was summoned to al-Riyad and replaced
by ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Ibrahim.890 The latter soon departed for al-Hasa,
leaving Muhammad b. Sayf al-‘AjajI to take charge of the administration in
‘Uman.891 This change of governors in the area did not, however, affect the
Su‘udl position or eliminate their influence in al-Burayml and the coast.
It was not until the middle of 1848 that things worsened, when the Su‘udl
representative and garrison received a severe check at the hands of the Banu
Yas, who had made plans to reduce the forts of al-Burayml.892 Several factors
contributed to the temporary deterioration of the Su‘udl position in ‘Uman,
paving the way for this unfavourable result. Amir Faysal had for some time
been occupied with the affairs of al-Bahrayn and was left with little time to deal
with the differences between his representative and the tribes of ‘Uman.893
Faysal seems to have had faith in Sa‘d’s ability to control the frontiers,
establish law and order, and enforce the payment of zakah by the reluctant
tribesmen; he thus paid little attention to the complaints and accusations
currently circulating against Sa‘d.894 A more important factor in the
deterioration of the Su‘udl position was the increasing strength of Sa‘Id
b.Tahnun, the new chief of Abu Zabl. In his rivalry with Sultan b. Saqr for
alliances with subordinate chiefs and influence over tribesmen, Sa‘Id was able
to win over some local elements opposed to Sultan b. Saqr and had little
difficulty in recruiting some of the Nu‘aym and al-Zawahir as well.895
Consequently, Sa‘Id b. Tahnun asserted his position as the traditional leader of
al-Zahirah.896
Taking advantage of the temporary absence of Sa‘d b. Mutlaq and the

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