When Ibn Saud's father, Abdul Rahman, reached Riyadh, he was warmly welcomed by the people as head of the House of Saud but, recognizing the outstanding qualities of his son, he at once abdicated in his son's favor. He presented Ibn Saud with the sword which had belonged to Abdul Wahhab and had been kept by the Al Saud ever since.
Abdul Rahman retained the title of Imam but Ibn Saud was now the ruler of the House of Saud.