Muhammad bin Saud's son, Abdul Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud, ruled from 1765 (1179 AH) through 1803 (1218 AH), retaining the association with Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab in the same capacity as his father and continuing to reform Islam in the Arabian Peninsula.

Abdul Aziz successfully captured the city of Riyadh in 1773 (1146 AH). The combination of a deeply held theological conviction and military success proved irresistible to many. As a result, the Saudi state began to spread rapidly and within fifteen years had extended its authority all over Nejd.

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