The internecine discord that characterized the conduct of the Al Saud in the early years of Ibn Saud's life had left the House of Saud vulnerable. To the north, with its capital of Hail, lay the domain of Muhammad bin Rashid, a powerful leader and one who, in the frequent battles between the Al Rashid and the Al Saud at this time, regularly emerged as the victor.
In the end, Muhammad bin Rashid decided the time had come to put an end to the rule of the Al Saud. He laid siege to Riyadh and, when the town capitulated, laid waste to the town, destroying its palm groves and poisoning its wells. Abdul Rahman, Ibn Saud's father, was fortunate to escape into the desert with his family.
Thus began the years of exile.
