King Faisal of Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass had a special relationship that originated from their first meeting. During that initial meeting, the esteemed scholar prayed to God to grant Faisal the rule of Saudi Arabia. When Faisal became king, the two became close confidants and joined forces to establish the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
MEETING IN MECCA (1963)
Prince Faisal, who was the third son of King Abdul Aziz at the time and seeking the inheritance of the throne, met Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass during the Hajj pilgrimage. He requested the esteemed scholar to pray for him to become the next King, despite the doctrinal differences between Faisal, a follower of the contemporary Wahhabi school, and Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass as a Sufi (Tijjaniyya). Faisal was later appointed to the throne of Saudi Arabia even though he had two older brothers. After his appointment, King Faisal granted Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass permission to enter Saudi Arabia whenever he wished without needing a visa.
THE FINANCIAL OFFERING (1965)
During another Hajj pilgrimage in 1965, King Faisal gave Sheikh Ibrahim a sum of money as a gift, asking him to write down the amount he desired. Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass expressed his discomfort with this, and merely wrote down the cost of a book of Hadith, which was 35 Riyals. This surprised the King and increased his respect for him.
COLLABORATION IN THE ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION
Their relationship went beyond personal interaction. Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass became the Vice-President of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, while King Faisal was the President. The King respected Sheikh Ibrahim's opinions as a source of valuable Islamic legal counsel.
KING FAISAL'S VISIT TO SENEGAL (1973)
In an unprecedented move, King Faisal paid an informal visit to Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass in the city of Kaolack, Senegal, in March 1973. He is reported to be the first and only Saudi King to have visited Senegal.
It is reported that King Faisal said, "We have the physical resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Medina, but the spiritual love of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) resides here in Medina Baye!" referring to the spiritual center of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass.