
About the waqif (the
person making the endowment)
Sheikh Saleh Abdulaziz
Alrajhi, May Allah have mercy on him.
1-
Biography, early life and education
1-1. Biography
Born in 1433 AH- 1926
AD, Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh ibn Suleiman ibn Mohammed ibn Nasser
Alrajhi, the real founder of Al Rajhi brand name economically, socially , and
historically, May Allah have mercy on
him, in Bakiriyah, Qasseem, KSA. After his father, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Rajhi
had moved to Riyadh in 1350 AH -1931 AD, Sheikh Saleh began to learn the Quran
and its sciences, and dedicated his life to scholarship in Riyadh where myriad
of scholarly circles and business opportunities could be pursued there.
1-2.Education
When he turned 13,
sheikh Saleh, May Allah have mercy on him, learnt the Qur'an by heart. He then
started to frequent the study circles, particularly those run by His Eminence
Sheikh Mohammed ibn Ibrahim Alsheikh, the then Mufti of the Kingdom, Sheikh
Abdullatif ibn Ibrahim Alsheikh, and sheikh Mohammed Alameen Alshanqeeti, May
Allah have mercy on them all.
1-3.Character
Sheikh Saleh Alrajhi,
May Allah have mercy on him, was well-known for good manners, wisdom and
generosity. His house was home for his relatives and acquaintance visiting Riyadh.
Despite poverty at the beginning of his life, the qualities he attained during
his upbringing had a great impact on him to keep to hospitality. He always
receives guests in his house, never sends back any one in need, and gives of
what he has gifts and charity. We can say that the secret of his life lies in
his love to benefit other members of his family, his relatives, his friends,
his colleagues, and everyone. He was well-known for giving charity, patience, modesty,
asceticism as attested to by those who know or met him.
2-Beginning of his business
He, May Allah have mercy
on him, was self-made, diligent and perseverant. In the beginning of his life he
assumed simple jobs. As a child he worked as a "porter" in the market.
Having collected an amount of money, he started to sell locks and keys and
(haberdashery). When he turned sixteen he ran his business using a bastah
(i.e. a spread sheet where hawkers sell their goods) for money exchange in
Safat in front of the Grand Mosque in Riyadh. When his business in money
exchange started to grow he bought a chest for currency instead of the Basta.
The chest became a shop in 1366 AH - 1947 AD., and later a company for Exchange
in which he engaged his brothers Abdullah Suleiman and Mohammed. This company
later became one of the largest international banks.
3- Investments
With the growth of construction,
agriculture, industry and economy, Sheikh Saleh tried to diversify the sources
of his income. He, therefore, worked in many areas that contributed to the
evolution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the late twentieth century. His
activities expanded and included gold trade (he was one of the first gold
trader between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait) real estate, industry and agriculture.
With the expansion and development of his business, he assumed several
positions in the companies and institutions that he founded or participated in.
The most important of which are the following:
- Managing Director, Electricity Company of Central
Region, a joint-stock company .
- Member, founder and chairman of the Saudi Cement
Company, a joint-stock company founded
in 1955.
- Member, founder and chairman of the National
Gypsum Company, a joint-stock company founded in 1959.
- Member, founder and chairman of Yamama Cement
Company, a joint stock company founded in 1961.
- Member, founder and chairman of the Saudi
Ceramics Company, a joint-stock company founded in 1977.
- Member, founder and chairman of Aljanoubiyah
Cement Company, a joint-stock company founded in 1978.
- Member, founder and chairman of the Board of
Directors of Nadec for Agricultural Development, a joint-stock company founded
in 1981.
- Member, founder and chairman of the Board of
Directors of Hail for Agricultural Development, a joint-stock company founded
in 1982.
- Member, founder and chairman of the Board of
Directors of Al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation founded in 1987.
- Member and founder of the Riyadh Chamber of
Commerce and Industry .
- Member and founder of Light Buildings Company.
- Member of the Board of the National Company for
Operation and Industrial Services, Ltd (Services).
- Founder of Saleh Abdulaziz Al Rajhi for Banking .
- Member, founder and chairman of Al Rajhi Banking
and Commerce.
- Founder of Saleh Abdulaziz Alrajhi and his
partners, Ltd
.
- Member and founder of Tabuk for Agricultural
Development
.
- Member and founder of the Saudi Company for
sandy limestone bricks
1-
His charities
He, May Allah have mercy
on him, started his charitable work in parallel with his business. He was one
of the early supporters of charitable work. He participated in building
hundreds of mosques and supported charities, centers for the memorization of
the Qur’an, societies that help young people to marry, and societies patients’
friends. He, May Allah have mercy on him, would go by himself to villages and
hamlets in search for the poor and the needy to support and help them. He, May
Allah have mercy on him, established a big endowment foundation whose assets exceeded
several billions (Alrajhi Endowment of Saleh Abdulaziz Al Rajhi ). He dedicated
its revenues for the different kinds of charities. This Alrajhi Endowment spent
and is still spending hundreds of millions on projects and programs related to
da’wah, education, health and social services.
5- Some of his famous
words
- Islam is the right path to success in all of our
business and the problems facing the world today result from ignoring Islam as
a way of life.
- I have never spent a million in zakat without
having two from Allah .
- I have no desire in this
world along with its pleasures, I only wish to live a simple life at my home
with my children
.
- An employee who offers a work opportunity to
another is better than a farmer in his farm .
- Experience is better than specialization; scholarship
cannot be utilized without experience. Through experience we can attain
knowledge. Or, the best way is to combine both knowledge and experience.
6- Illness
On his way back from a
business trip near the cement factory of Yamamah in Riyadh Sheikh Saleh Alrajhi
had a traffic accident and got some injuries. He entered the intensive care and
had a surgery to replace his thigh arteries. After a while, he experienced some
physical problems, therefore, he was sent to America for medical treatment, but
his health did not improve. Having returned to Riyadh, doctors advised him to rest.
He remained under medical care for a while, then he suffered from a stroke that
took him to bed. They made a small makeshift hospital in his palace to look
after him until he died, May Allah have mercy on him, after suffering from his
illness for a long time.
7-
Death
He, May Allah have mercy
on him, died on Saturday, 9th Rabee’ I, 1432 - 12/2/2011, at 3:00 p.m. after a
long struggle with illness. Funeral prayers was performed upon his body in
Rajhi Mosque, Riyadh, on Sunday 3/10/1432 after Asr Prayer .
8- Sayings about him
8
-1.
S
heikh Abdulaziz
Almusnad, May Allah have mercy on him:
"He, May Allah have mercy on him, was very nice
and nothing would annoy him while travelling. He was so modest and fully
reliant on Allah in all his affairs. His memory would not miss anything; once
he saw you, he would memorize your name and telephone number without taking a
note. He was such a smart person utilizing his intelligence on the goodness and
Allah’s obedience”.
8-2. Sheikh Ibrahim ibn
Saleh Alkhudairi:
“He was a man of faith,
purity and sincerity in buying and selling, as well as of good manners in
dealing with others. He had the ability to manage huge funds and large
companies”.
8
-3.
S
heikh Abdulaziz ibn
Abdullah Alrajhi, a professor at the
University of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud:
“I attest that he loves to
do what is good and gives in chari
ty”.
8-4. Shaykh Dr. Abdulrahman
Alluwihak, Imam of Saleh Alrajhi Mosque:
“Whoever knows him loves
him”.
8
-5. HE
Dr. Abdulrahman
Al Alsheikh, former Minister of Agriculture:
“One of the most
prominent characteristics of Sheikh Saleh, May Allah have mercy on him, is
simplicity and unpretentiousness. He was exceptional in his dealings and
relationships and was self-made. He had clarity of vision from the beginning,
identifying his goal and choosing the appropriate means to achieve it. He had
persistence for success, a realistic vision and integrity. Above all, he was
vigorous and punctual”.
8-6. HE Sheikh Mohammed
ibn Ibrahim Alsubaie, a businessman
He, May Allah have mercy
on him, was a wise man having the qualities of manliness and diligence. His piety
and strong faith were the reason behind his success and his brothers. He was
really kind when he selling or buy .ing
8-7
. H
E
Sheikh Thunayan
Alfahd Thunayyan, a businessman
“Those who wrote to
describe the kindness of sheikh Saleh did not exaggerate”.
8
-8.
HE Sheikh Hamad ibn
Abdulaziz Aljumaih, a businessman
“He was one of the men
known for their righteousness, obedience and good character. He used to add a brush
of happiness and fun in meetings because of his spontaneousness, intuitiveness,
and self-dependence. His life experiences were rich and f
ruit
ful.
8-
9. Mr Abdulrahman Aljeraissy,
a businessman
He was always kind,
sincere in his dealings with others, and modest as he never liked bragging,
extravagance, or pride. He was a ideal businessman who is honest and
trustworthy with himself and his Lord. I think he was one of the men who should
be cherished in Saudi Arabia.
-
10.
Sheikh Abdulaziz Alhamdan, abusinessman
He was undoubtedly the real
founder of Al Rajhi brand name.
8-11.
S
aleh
ibn
Abdulrahman Alrashed, a businessman
Merchants and wealthy
people should follow the example of Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz Alrajhi
8-12. Sheikh Mohammed
Habib, a businessman
He was a generous man;
he regards anything he gives us a manifestation of the good .
8-13. Sheikh Mohammed
ibn Abdulrahman Alajlan, a businessman
He was kind in his
dealings, benevolent to others.
8-14. Sheikh Mohammed
ibn Saleh Aldohan, a businessman
He was a man of highly good manner, beloved by all
people .
8-15. Sheikh Abdullah
ibn Nasser Alrajhi, a relative of Sheikh Sale
h
Sheikh Saleh was widely
well-known and he had a good profile known to everyone.
8-16. Ibrahim ibn
Abdullah Alrajhi, a relative of Sheikh Saleh
His life was full of bright
approaches and venerable activities.
8
-17. Sheikh Abdulaziz
Hagbani, one of the oldest friends of Sheikh Saleh
He was a unique person
amongst his own clan and community
.
8-18. Abdullah ibn Saad ibn
Abdullah Alhussein, a friend of Sheikh Saleh
His was self-made and
had great and humanly activiti
es.
8-19. Engineer Haitham Ghazal, an architect
Sheik
h Saleh ibn
Abdulaziz Alrajhi is like a school of morals and actions.
References
• S
al
eh Abdulaziz Alrajhi: A biogra
phy
• A
l-Iqtisadiyah Newspaper, Issue 6334
• Al Jazeera Newspaper, Issue 3076