Beautiful moments continue between Kuwaitis and Saudis

The relations between the esteemed people of Kuwait and their brothers, the esteemed people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are eternal, strong, and unshakable, by the grace of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious. These are bonds of kinship, proximity, shared origins, and roots; bonds of spirit, heart, blood, and limbs; and bonds of love, generosity, loyalty, and magnanimity.

There are many beautiful humanistic moments that recur from time to time between Kuwaitis and Saudis in the series “Role Models from My Country,” by the grace of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious. Among these moments is this particular incident, which highlights the traits of generosity, kindness, and benevolence exhibited by the esteemed people of Kuwait. In return, we find the qualities of loyalty, assistance, and reciprocity demonstrated by the esteemed brothers, the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thus, the system of love, goodness, and giving between the people of these two noble countries is completed.

I was told about this noble incident by Mr. Falah Abdullah Al-Subaie, quoting one of his grandfather’s trusted companions. The hero of this incident was his grandfather, Sheikh Faraj bin Badah bin Bajran bin Omar Al-Khoyoot Al-Jamaleen Al-Subaie, may Allah have mercy on him. The narrator said:

“In 1970, Sheikh Faraj bin Badah Al-Subaie (known as Abu Abdullah), may Allah have mercy on him, traveled to the Holy Lands on a blessed journey to perform the Hajj pilgrimage that year. During the return journey, after the pilgrims had completed their rituals by the grace of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, the caravan of pilgrims passed through one of the well-known rest stops for pilgrims, known as the ‘Hijrah Ramah’ area. This is one of the main rest stops on the route for pilgrims returning to the State of Kuwait. It is a governorate belonging to the Riyadh region, located approximately 120 kilometers northeast of Riyadh city.

After the pilgrims had stayed at this rest stop for a few days, it came to the knowledge of Sheikh Faraj bin Badah Al-Subaie (Abu Abdullah), may Allah have mercy on him, that a merchant from Riyadh was demanding payment from shopkeepers for debts owed to him. One of these debtors was among those who sell to people of the desert and do not pay what they owe until a considerable period later, when the people of the desert return his money or part of it. The shopkeeper did not have the means to settle the debt when the merchant demanded it. This led to an escalating dispute between them: the merchant was insistent in demanding his money, and he pressured the shopkeeper to provide the funds (and he was not to blame, as he sought to recover his lawful earnings). By the decree of Allah, the Almighty and Glorious, Sheikh Abu Abdullah happened to be near the shop, heard what was happening, and witnessed the scene. He knew the shopkeeper, and everyone testified to his goodness, honesty, and sincerity. The shopkeeper was Abdullah Al-Tanib, a resident of Al-Qassim who lived in ‘Hijrah Ramah’ with his family.

Sheikh Faraj bin Badah Al-Subaie (Abu Abdullah), may Allah have mercy on him, calmed the situation between the merchant and the shopkeeper, and immediately paid the full amount to the merchant. He resolved this problem with the spirit of generosity that characterized this noble Sheikh. He informed the shopkeeper that this amount was given for the sake of Allah, and that he did not expect it to be repaid. Then, the caravan departed after this incident, returning to their homeland, Kuwait.

Twenty years after this act of generosity and kindness, the turn came for loyalty and reciprocity. Specifically, in 1990, when the aggressive Iraqi army invaded and occupied the State of Kuwait, looting its wealth and seizing its resources, Sheikh Faraj Al-Subaie, may Allah have mercy on him, had no choice but to relocate to the fraternal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia along with a group of esteemed Kuwaitis. It was the safe haven and the elder sister that welcomed its Kuwaiti sons with love and hospitality. Among those who received him was the very shopkeeper to whom Abu Abdullah had shown goodwill and kindness twenty years earlier. He stood by him with loyalty and reciprocity, providing hospitality to Sheikh Faraj Al-Subaie, may Allah have mercy on him, and his companions to the highest standard. He constantly repeated this phrase: ‘The time has come to return the favor… The time has come to return the favor.’ This indicates nothing but his loyalty and noble character. Sheikh Faraj Al-Subaie, may Allah have mercy on him, was not mistaken when he perceived goodness in him and helped him, nor was he wrong when he showed generosity on his behalf, settled his debt, and preserved his dignity from the merchant’s demands. Indeed, goodness suits its people, and kindness belongs to its owners.’

Such are the people of merit, kindness, and benevolence in every time and place. Such is the beautiful fraternal relationship between brothers and companions of giving in both noble countries. The people of Kuwait are people of generosity, nobility, kindness, and giving. Sheikh Faraj bin Badah Al-Subaie (Abu Abdullah), may Allah have mercy on him, was one of the noble and distinguished examples who embodied the spirit of giving without expectation, and generosity to reconcile differences without waiting for thanks, praise, or reciprocity. Praise and grace belong to Allah. This giving and benevolence found its worthy recipients. The virtuous Saudi citizen, Abdullah Al-Tanib, became a man of goodness, kindness, and promptness in returning the favor, in a beautiful manifestation of the most splendid forms of loyalty and generosity.

We ask Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, to perpetuate this love, harmony, and sincere fraternity between the brothers in both fraternal countries, the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, throughout ages and eras. We are certain that there are many other incidents between Kuwaitis and their Saudi brothers that embody many qualities of goodness, giving, generosity, magnanimity, and loyalty, making them together excellent and beautiful role models worthy of praise and good mention. These will be published and covered if we become aware of them, by the grace of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.

Dr. Abdulmohsin Al-Jarallah Al-Kharafi