Sheikh Sulaiman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi (Sulaiman Al-Rajhi)

Biography

According to Forbes magazine, published in 2011, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, who is also a successful businessman was ranked 120th in the world with a fortune of US $ 7.7 billion. He is known the world over as Al-Rajhi or her full name is Sheikh Sulaiman Bin Abdul Aziz. He was born in the 1920s. King Abdul Aziz University in Saudi Arabia, which is to be the final destination of choice and he went on. Nejd desert is an area of sandy desert he grew up. That's where he began playing with engaging in business activities on a small scale, in that while he was still small.

In addition, he also uses his experience while working as porters and also as a seller of firewood to start a larger business. Starting with the currency exchange business for pilgrims who ride camels when the congregation is going to go through the desert either want to Mecca or Medina. Then in 1957, he was with his brother Saleh has been active in banking and trading activities to expand its business which eventually led to the establishment of an Al-Rajhi Bank. Eventually establishment was merged into Al-Rajhi Trading and the Stock Corporation in 1978 while in 1987 the business has been transformed into a joint stock company under the royal decree No.59. Islamic banking company has become a well-known bank in Saudi Arabia and internationally. 

Experience gained when he was still utilized preferably have become the foundation and guide for he created Al-Rajhi Bank thus making it one of the largest shareholders to form Al-Rajhi Bank. The string of his success, he has established Al-Watania Poultry and Al-Territorial Agriculture Center. But he also established the Charitable Foundation Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, better known as the SAAR Foundation. He is a founder of the SAAR Foundation is a charitable organization and a leading charity in the world. 

The establishment of Al-Rajhi Bank 

His brother of Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi or better known as Saleh became the backbone of the success of Al-Rajhi Bank. He donated his idea in terms of setting up and managing the bank plans to facilitate the administration and management of the bank. Sulaiman Al-Rajhi also uses discretion to administer and conducts its business so that Al-Rajhi bank reported a profit for the highest compared with other banks and those found in Saudi Arabia.

Through a media interview made by Muhammad al-Harbi of Al-Eqtisadiah Business Daily, Sulaiman Al Rajhi has told how 30 years ago, he began to think to make a decision to meet with the manager of the Bank of England. The meeting was to discuss Islamic banking. At the meeting, he boldly asserts that the payment of interest is usury is forbidden to Islam and Christianity. And so he came up with a new initiative that Islamic banking recommend created to solve the problem. In addition, Islamic banking is also seen to be improving the world economy. 

Once the deal is accepted by the Bank of England, he then traveled around the world to meet with heads of state banks in order to inform them about the process and how the characteristics inherent in Islamic economics. The results of his efforts grand mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz Bib also support the Islamic banking system expanded and brought up in the eyes of the Muslim world which was finally accepted by the world and performed in Arab countries and also in the capital city of London. A total of 570 branches AL-Rajhi Bank has opened covering the whole world. In Malaysia, Al-Rajhi Bank has opened 25 branches of the bank in October 2006, which is still in service today. The branch covers an area of Klang Valley, Johor Baru, Malacca, Penang, Ipoh, Kota Bharu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Sg.Petani. 

In 1970, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi took the opportunity to expand its business when migrant workers have migrated en masse to offer remittance services that help foreigners send money back to their home countries such as Indonesia and Pakistan. The implication he has successfully expanded his Al-Rajhi bank to be considered as a site that was first banned Riba. Again proved its success with the recognition he received, namely Al-Rajhi Bank, has won the King Faisal International Award as the world's largest Islamic bank which strives to eradicate poverty. 

Character 

1) Meet Time 

Sulaiman Al-Rajhi very timely due to the events he was overdue to meet with an officer in Europe. The delay caused by the officer's appointment was cancelled due to his promise a few minutes late for an appointment is. String of it, he has to discipline himself to be more punctual. To remember and know what programs he will be involved for a day he has prepared a booklet for her record her daily activities. With this record, he can check all the activities that make it easier to prepare his early preparation for an activity. It is also important to make sure he does not miss any of the activities or appointments that have been scheduled. Strictly speaking, the delay incident to meet someone had significantly altered the way of life Sulaiman Al-Rajhi when dealing involving a business or meeting with someone. 

2) Patience and sure to test 

Factory farming, he was burned twice involving different factories. These events caused the charred poultry plants on fire. However, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi deal with it calmly when ordered and asked the manager of the factory was moved to another place and cleaning up the damage until everything comes back. Tolerant attitude Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, we can conclude that he is a patient, persistent and persevere against all odds to be faced during the business operates. 

3) Attitude Humility 

Sulaiman Al-Rajhi prefers to fly economy class even though he has a stake in the airline. He also stated that he does not wish to have a private jet to facilitate his business affairs. This is so because, he often holds the principle that God does not give the property to be pointed at the crowd. 

In addition, he also donated most of his property to be donated. He has provided food to almost three million pilgrims who perform standing at Arafat. Not only that, he also provides money and hire someone to cook the dish. In fact, he had also worked for the success of the standing congregation activities to engage actively together 800 chefs who are hired to prepare the meal. His caring attitude clearly proves that he is a person who likes to lighten the burdens of others. 

4) Firmly with Islamic principles 

He was keeping his behaviour as a Muslim. For example, he had left a dinner when he knows the event there is an entertainment program. After the cancellation of the entertainment program, he was invited back by the ministers involved with the ceremony and then he re-joined the dinner. He has received recognition in a glittering ceremony held in Riyadh which he was awarded the King Faisal International Award for 2012. This recognition is given to Sulaiman Al-Rajhi because his views firmly in defending the Islamic banking system is realized even at the beginning of the system challenged by the west. 

Glory 

1) Introducing Islamic banking system 

He started his business experience exchange became one of the reasons why he was engaged in Islamic banking. Even when it's not Islamic-based bank services has become a key driver he founded the Al-Rajhi Bank. He began to set it intends to open a bank by opening an office in Britain. String of That, Al-Rajhi Bank successfully developed and introduced the world when the Islamic banking system successfully expanded to a higher level. 

Cases people prefer to keep money at home has been used preferably by Sulaiman Al-Rajhi firm to submit a new initiative to the people that confirms that the system of interest or benefit is strictly prohibited particularly Islam and Christianity. This is so because, the system of interest is seen oppress the people or consumers of these services. Finally, he starts going around the world to affirm the principles of Islam is making Islamic banking system is recognized and accepted around the world. 

2) Center Al-Watania Poultry 

"And you shall not eat of any (meat animals) are to be slaughtered not mentioned the name of God, the act is really something evil" Surah Al-An'am: 121. Of the verse, he is emphasizing correct slaughter system according to Islamic law. Therefore, he decided to cooperate in the field of animal husbandry in the name of Islam. Therefore, he opened several breeding center located in Bandar Qassim, Saudi Arabia, which has become a mega project to provide sufficient food supplies and believed by the public that the chicken is slaughtered according to Islamic law, and according to Sharia law has got 40% of shares in Arab countries. 

3) AL-Territorial Agriculture 

Al-Watania Agricultural Company was established in 1982 that has since become one of the leading agricultural companies in Saudi Arabia. The company set up to manage vegetable crops in organic agriculture so that users are free from harmful chemicals. This is so because, these chemicals can affect and harm to consumers. To ensure that organic farming is successfully, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi has invested money of USD250 million for the realization of his desire for people to enjoy food that is free from harmful chemicals. 

4) University Sulaiman Al-Rajhi 

Sulaiman Al-Rajhi has managed to establish a university in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. The main objective of this university was founded to meet the needs of the workforce needed by the country of Saudi Arabia. The University has produced many graduates in various fields, particularly in the areas of health and Islamic banking. 

Traits applied by Sulaiman Al-Rajhi that assist him to be a successful person 

Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Islamic personage in entrepreneurship field that involve in finance industry, Al-Watania Poultry Centre, Al-Watania Agriculture Centre, Al-Rajhi Real Estate Investment and also founder of Saleh Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi (SAAR) Endowment Management that is a charitable organization and a leading charity in the world. 

· Versatility 

According to oxford advanced learned learner’s dictionary 7th edition versatile or versatility can be defined as able to do many things. Not only that the word versatility also can be described have many different skills or qualities. Sulaiman Al-Rajhi is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the word. One of the reasons why Sulaiman Al-Rajhi can be a so successful in Islamic banking is because he has versatility in him that make him different from any other entrepreneur. As the world know that Sulaiman Al-Rajhi owns the biggest stake in the world largest organization for Islamic banking and finance, but he also has other skills and qualities that make him success in business. 

The versatility in Sulaiman Al-Rajhi is already shown away before he starts his banking organization. At the beginning of his live, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi had shown his versatility when he assumed simple jobs. As a child Sulaiman first started when he worked as a “porter” in the market. Having collected an amount of money, he then started to sell locks, keys and (haberdashery). After that, when he turned sixteen he starts to run his own business using bastah (bastah is spreadsheet 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 then bought a chest for currency instead of the Basta. Later on the chest became a shop in 1366 AH - 1947 AD and a company for Exchange in which he engaged his brothers, Abdullah Suleiman and Mohammed. This company later became one of the largest international banks (Al-Rajhi Endowment, n.d). 

Not only that, even after his banking organization become one of the most successful Islamic banking in the world he still shows his other skills in business by not just stick and just focusing on banking business, but he also dabbled in other business like poultry farming centre and agriculture. Sulaiman Al-Rajhi also expands his business empire by establishing a university that is called Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University that the main focus is to produce students in various fields including health and Islamic banking. Sulaiman Al-Rajhi starts the poultry business after he visits poultry project abroad. He saw how the rearing process was conducted improperly and against sharia. He then decides to invest in the field of poultry by establishing Al-Watania poultry. Now days Al-Watania poultry has accounted for 40% of the market in Saudi Arabia and largest poultry farm in middle east by producing chickens with good, properly fed and halal slaughtered according to sharia principle(usahawan.com, n.d). 

For Al-Watania agricultural project, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi had invested USD 250 million in organic farming to ensure that he could provide only the healthiest, safest and most trustworthy food to consumers. Al-Watania agriculture was establish in 1982 and is one of the leading agricultural companies in Saudi Arabia that stopped using chemicals and artificial fertilizers and focused exclusively organic method such as the use of pect insect repellents and animal manure (al-rajhi bank, 2012). 

It has been proven that versatility traits that Sulaiman Al-Rajhi has in him has made him become one of the successful and influence entrepreneur in the world especially in the field of Islamic banking. With over 50 years of experience in banking and trading activities, the various individual establishments under the Al Rajhi name such as poultry, agricultural and university that was established and were merged into the umbrella 'Al-Rajhi trading so that Al-Rajhi organization become a strong organization. Sulaiman Al-Rajhi also has proved to the world that he is not only a successful entrepreneur but he also well-known for good manners, wisdom and generosity. 

· Decisive 

Decisive is also one of the good traits that Sulaiman Al-Rajhi has. Sulaiman Al-Rajhi not only known versatility person, but he is known for his also decisive attitude. Decisive in another word is synonyms with firm and conclusive or according to oxford advanced learned learner’s dictionary 7th edition decisive also can be defined as able to decide something quickly. The decisive trait of Sulaiman Al-Rajhi can be seen when he first started his Islamic banking. Nearly 30 years ago Sulaiman Al-Rajhi has made a decisive decision when he decided to meet with the Manager of the Bank of England because the application made for getting license for the bank was turned down in the beginning. The failure of getting a license is because British officials do not have any idea about what Islamic banking is all about. Sulaiman asserts that interest is forbidden not only in Islam but also in Christianity. Muslim and Christian religious people are unwilling to make transactions with banks based on interest and instead prefer to keep their cash and other valuables in boxes at their homes (Al-Rajhi bank, 2012) 

Caused interest is forbidden in both religion especially in Islam and to avoid interest in banking, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi has recommended that Islamic banking is the best solution to strengthen the global economy. Not only that, to make sure that his Islamic banking succeed he went all over the world to meets with heads of state bank to explain to them about how Islamic banking work and what features available in the Islamic economy. However, his effort were not in vein when his Islamic banking has the support of the mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Baz to keep supporting the Islamic banking that he introduced. Due to his firm decision on the legality of Islamic banking, the Islamic banking is finally accepted in the eyes of the world and the Islamic has also successfully implemented not only in Arab countries but also in any other country like Malaysia. 

It shows that decisiveness of Sulaiman Al-Rajhi in creating a banking according to sharia principle has successful until the Al-Rajhi bank has become one of the largest Islamic bank in the world with 24 branches in Malaysia such as in Kelantan, Klang Valley, Malacca and Ipoh. Besides, Al-Rajhi Bank is one of the biggest Islamic bank in the world with the total assets is SR 288 billion (US $ 76.8 bn) and employee base over 8,400 associates (Al-Rajhi Bank, n.d). 

· Ability to Learn from Mistakes 

At the beginning of his career, Sulaiman Al-Rajhi needs to meet with several Europe large company. One day he late for a few minutes on his meeting with a company and the company officer refuse to carry on their meeting just because he late for a few minutes. Start from that incident, he always alerts on the meeting time to be on time with record it in his note. We always learn from mistakes to make our steps better than a previous incident. Same situation with Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, because he also a human that cannot apart from any mistakes, he does not give up and learn from his mistakes and admit his fault. He improvise his attitude to be a better person and will not repeat the same mistakes. 

He also meets the same problems twice in his life that is factory fire which involve big losses. The first incident occurred on factory (Al-Watania project) that supervised by his son, but he keep says Alhamdulillah (praise of Allah) and ask his son to not report any losses to get compensation from authorities. He continued said that the compensation that received from Allah is more valuable. After the Finance Manager reported the incident, Sulaiman asks them to move and clear the ruination that occur. The second incident also occurred with Al-Watania project in Egypt (Mesir), and the loss estimation is SR10 million Pound Mesir, and the same answer from Sulaiman heard when he know about that incident that is Alhamdulillah. However, he survives the both though test with his sincere heart. And now he decides with himself to become a ‘poor’ person again as before he became a successful person. Since he had faced challenges in his life, it does not matter now for him. He does not have any money and shares that he own before because he transfers all his assets to his children and donate the rest of his assets. The thing that we want to highlight is the incident of the fire occurred actually is not mistakes that he need to learn, but as a reminder as a slave of Allah that need to concern on each action in the world will be counted there (Akhirat). He needs to learn from the reminders that give to him because nobody (ordinary people) is perfect and always need a test to challenge our faith (Iman) to be a better person. 

· Ethical Consciousness 

Sulaiman Al-Rajhi applied the real Islamic life with command from the only god that is Allah that have stated in Qur’an and Sunni (from the messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w) that must obey by all Muslims. Actually, all the command from Allah is for the sake of his servant especially to become an ethical person. Sulaiman Al-Rajhi is very sensitive with an ethical animal husbandry, from the process of care, feeding process until the slaughter ways. In Islam, the proses of slaughter must be done correctly to become healthier food serving for the eater and also courtesy with the animal victims. “And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allah has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience…” – Surah Al-An’am (6:121). During a trip on abroad, he saw the unethical view of care proses of the animals, and the slaughter process is not done correctly with Islamic sharia. Start from that point, he decides to involve in rearing field with establish Al-Watania Poultry Centre that located in Qassim City, Saudi Arabia and the biggest poultry farms in the Gulf. (Forbes, 2015) All the poultry in rearing field care with the good way, feeding with allowed food in Islam (Halal food), and slaughter with the correct ways of Islamic sharia law. And now, Al-Watania Poultry Centre success on producing half a million of chicken and a million of egg in a day. Not only have that, this centre dominated 40% of the market in Saudi Arabia and also the largest livestock farms in the Middle East. 

Actually, Sulaiman Al-Rahji also aware with the chemical in the most food today that is actually unethical to the society for selling the chemical product especially in food. So to ensure the society can have a free chemical on their food, he invest more than USD 250 million in organic agriculture and established Al-Watania Agriculture Centre on 1982. This firm actually doing many of research towards organic agriculture with using completely organic fertilizers include at Al-Laith shrimp farming. The headquarters of the firm located at Riyadh and the farms located at northern, central, and southern of Saudi Arabia. And currently, this centre became the most successful agriculture firm in Saudi Arabia. 

· Foresight 

The best result is the result of work by self. This is based on the Prophet (Muhammad s.a.w.)’s hadith narrated by Al-Miqdam that Muhammad s.a.w said: “There is no one that eating better food except they do with their own hand(effort). And the messenger of Allah, Prophet Daud (some people known as David) eat of result pursued by his own hand”. Among the initial business that Sulaiman Al-Rajhi is money exchange business with his brothers Abdullah, Mohammed, and Saleh for hajj pilgrims, and in the same time he aware about the nonexistence of banking that based on Islamic sharia at that time. This situation encourages him to establish a system of Islamic Banking. Actually Sulaiman think about Muslim society and also about his only beloved religion that is Islam, and if he continues with his planning to create that system by sharia, indirectly he had fulfilled Fardhu Kifayah on behalf of the Muslims. Actually, he more thinks on life after death (on in Islam called by Akhirat), because in Akhirat we live forever and the way we live there depends on what are we doing here. During the initial phase, of course he faced some problems to introduce an Islamic Banking to worldwide, the main problems is when the non-Islamic countries do not understand about Islamic Banking System that the interest system that is applied at that time is illegal in Islam and also Kristian. But slowly the experiments starts to spread and growth and also have support from Saudi Ulama at that time. 

Sulaiman also trying to convince them with establish Islamic Banking can improvise world economy and lastly they accept it. His effort continuously with wander to meet with the chief of state bank worldwide, and also met with Mufti Besar Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz and Sheikh Abdullah bin Humaid in order to establish the real Islamic Banking systems. The sentences that we can hold is, if we are sincere in everything that we do, god(Allah) will give the best thing for us whether in life here or in there (Akhirat). And now, Al-Rajhi Bank is the founder and also the biggest of Islamic Banking in the world that based on sharia.