The Al-Murrah lived in the border regions of the Rub al-Khali, the great desert known as the "empty quarter". Life for the Al-Murrah was hard and it bred a people who were able to withstand the rigors of desert life.

When Ibn Saud was exiled as a boy, he had found safety for a time amongst the Al-Murrah. He had also found the purity and strength of the harsh desert life, had grasped the profound significance of the custom of hospitality in bedouin life and the crucial importance of grazing rights and control of wells. He understood that strength depends on unity and that the survival of the many depends on inviolable concepts of loyalty.

In the building of a nation, Ibn Saud had to deploy many skills which were foreign to the Al-Murrah but, just as he never forgot the Al-Murrah dialect, so he never forgot the simple desert virtues which, in any circumstance, will stand a man in good stead.

The Al-Murrah were legendary for their tracking ability and were often employed by Ibn Saud in his later life in the investigation of tribal crimes.

Al-Murrah Ikhwan settlements:

• Yabreen: Hamad Al-Mordef, Saleh Al-Mordef
• As-Sekak: Hamad bin Hatrab, Fadel bin Fadel
• Nebak: Saad bin Nakawan
• Al-Yaduo: Rashid bin Nedela, Naam bin Shareem, Saleh Abu Leila, Muteb As-Saffak