AL Sheikh Ibrahim Bin Talib Bin Hassan Al-Aslami Al-Shammari

His Life

Sheikh Ibrahim bin Hassan — may Allah have mercy upon him

Sheikh Ibrahim bin Hassan was born on 6 February 1942 and passed away on 14 January 1992 at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, after a life rich in giving, devoted to the service of his faith, his country, and the people of his tribe.

He is regarded as one of the most prominent sheikhs of the Shammar tribe (Al-Aslam) in Najd, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He was known for his sound judgement, his foresight, his keen intelligence and the precision of his opinion, as well as for his humility and fine character. He was equally renowned for his eloquence, his generosity, his perceptiveness, and he received many titles reflecting the high standing he held among the kings and leaders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and among his own tribesmen.

He was — may Allah have mercy upon him — among those close to King Faisal bin Abdulaziz, King Khalid bin Abdulaziz and King Fahd bin Abdulaziz, may Allah have mercy upon them all. He was also among the figures who regularly attended the majlis of Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz during his tenure as Governor of the Riyadh Region, a reflection of the esteem and standing he enjoyed with the wise leadership.

He was known for his sincere loyalty to the rulers and his devotion to the service of his country. He played a part in many national and humanitarian causes, and never once hesitated to support the people of his tribe and stand by their side. His majlis opened daily from after the Asr prayer until the Isha prayer, where he received all who came, attended to people's needs, and worked to reconcile those in dispute.

He was given the title "Abu Al-Ataya" (Father of Gifts) for the exceptional generosity and openhandedness he was known for; he was a refuge for those in need, a relief to the distressed, and an excellent neighbour. He was also known as "the Sage of Shammar," for he always chose reconciliation over conflict, and his efforts to intercede with the rulers were widely appreciated — rulers who valued his standing and honoured him by responding to the works of charity and reconciliation he sought.

King Fahd bin Abdulaziz — may Allah have mercy upon him — used to address him as "Shaybana" (our elder) out of appreciation and respect, a reflection of the great standing he held with the leadership, and of the loyalty and regard the rulers of the Kingdom are known to show towards people of merit.

Sheikh Ibrahim bin Hassan was characterised by wisdom, forbearance, magnanimity, piety, and a love of knowledge and literature. He was also widely read in genealogy and in the history of the Arabian Peninsula. He earned the respect and appreciation of the sheikhs of the tribes for his work in reconciling disputes, meeting people's needs, and bringing conflicts to an end, as well as for his compassion and his profound humility with young and old alike.

He remained a presence in the majlises of the kings and in the emirates of the Riyadh Region and the Eastern Province, never ceasing to attend until his death, may Allah have mercy upon him. His memory has been preserved in the hearts of those who loved him and among the people of the Shammar tribe. Poets composed hundreds of elegies in his honour, and many still recall his life and mourn him to this day — more than three decades after his passing — in appreciation of the fine legacy he left behind, a life of good repute, and noble stands that will remain present in the memory of everyone who knew him.

A high-resolution restored photograph of Sheikh Ibrahim bin Hassan, may Allah have mercy upon him, taken in Riyadh in 1973, during the reign of King Faisal, may Allah have mercy upon him.