Pasha, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani (1863–1906) was a Bahraini merchant and pearl trader who served as the governor of the Darin village on Tarout Island under Ottoman rule. The Al Faihani Palace at Qatif is named for him.
Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani | |
|---|---|
 A picture of Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani, taken sometime in 1900 at Mecca | |
| Born | 1863 |
| Died | 1906 |
| Occupation(s) | Trader, merchant and later governor |
| Years active | c. 1880–1906 |
| Honours | The title of Pasha (Arabic: باشا, romanized: basha) |
Biography
editEarly years
editMuhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani was born in 1863 in Muharraq. He received his education at the age of fifteen in Mecca, before returning to his homeland to assist his father's pearl trading business.[1] After his father had died, Al Faihani inherited his father's business and became a prominent trader. Reportedly, he was one of the richest men in the Arabian Peninsula at the time.[1]
Al Faihani's home village was destroyed in 1882 during an invasion by Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani.[1] He emigrated to the Darin village on Tarout Island.[1] He earned the recognition of the Emirate of Nejd who gifted him the Darin Castle for him to stay in, which he renovated and expanded between 1884 and 1885, and is now named after him.[2][3] He also stayed in there starting from November 10, 1885.[2]
Administrative power
editAt some point of time, Al Faihani agreed to comply with the terms of the Ottoman Empire, and was given governorship over the village of Darin on Tarout Island as well as the title of Pasha.[1] In 1891, the Ottoman administration offered Al Faihani the opportunity to govern and rule Zubarah, but he politely declined the offer.[4]
Death
editAl Faihani became ill in the early years of the 20th century, requiring him to visit the city of Bombay, India for treatment. He died there in 1906.[1]
Legacy
edit
The Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Faihani Palace at Qatif near the Darin village named after him is an archeological site and has historical value to the Saudis.[1][5] The palace and the adjoining Darin Castle were once under the ownership of Al Faihani's heirs, until the Saudi government was able to negotiate a deal with them so that full ownership was transferred to the government.[1]
Controversy
editDue to similarities in name, Al Faihani is sometimes confused with the 18th-century Muslim reformist Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab who was the founder of the Wahhabi movement.[6] An image of Al Faihani was erroneously spread online and attributed to Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab, who died in 1792 before the first cameras could be invented.[6][7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h "Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab's palace is a neglected ruins". Okaz. September 9, 2011. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Accessed on 2015-01-19.
- ^ a b "The Book of the Historical Story of Darien "1303 AH" - Qatif Oasis". qatifoasis.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-08. Accessed on 2017-08-08.
- ^ "Crazy Me. The most beautiful love story in the Gulf / Abdullah Al-Madani". Khaleej Fares (BAR-AR). 8 Jul 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-08-14. Retrieved 2017-08-07.
- ^ Loymer, J. G. (1433, 1434 A.H.). The Gulf Handbook, Historical Section, New and Revised Edition, Volume 3. Prepared by the Translation Department at the Office of His Highness the Emir of Qatar. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Accessed August 6, 2017.
- ^ "Al Faihani Palace in Dareen - Qatif Oasis". qatifoasis.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-08. Accessed on 2017-08-08.
- ^ a b "صورة الإمام محمد بن عبدالوهاب الفوتوغرافية بين الكذب والحقيقة؟! – موقع الإمام المجدد محمد بن عبدالوهاب" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ Noor, Faisal. "The claim that this a picture of Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdulwahhab". Faisal Noor Website.