Ahwal Al-Ma'rifa: Special

Abu Suhayl Abdul Karim Al-Juhayman dismounted after a journey of research and enlightenment that lasted more than a hundred years... He filled it with thought, literature and traveling the earth seeking science and livelihood. He lived in his village environment using it for education and learning. He was born in 1333 AH. His mother said his birth was about five years before the "Year of Mercy." He was born in a small village called Ghasla in the Washm region. His childhood was spent moving between his parents who separated while he was young. Despite harsh conditions, he enjoyed a rare freedom in the rural atmosphere. He learned reading and writing on pure sands, using limestone slabs and pens made from tree reeds. From this simple background, he rose to become a prominent intellectual. At age six, he entered the village school (Kuttab) and finished reading the Quran. He moved to Riyadh to study under Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim, then to Mecca to study at the Holy Mosque. He joined the "Hajjana" (Camel Corps) to secure living and housing while studying. He graduated first in his class from the Saudi Scientific Institute in Mecca in 1351 AH, the same year the Kingdom was unified. He later traveled to Egypt, France, Italy, and Holland, which expanded his social and intellectual horizons. He moved into journalism, becoming the first editor-in-chief of "Akhbar Al-Dhahran" in 1373 AH. His writings were bold and direct, especially his column "The Straight and the Crooked." When the newspaper stopped, he moved to Riyadh then Al-Qassim to edit "Al-Qassim Newspaper." He authored many books like "Smoke and Flame," "Events and Talks," and "Memories of Paris." His most important project was collecting folk proverbs and legends of the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in five volumes of "Folk Legends" and nine volumes of "Folk Proverbs." He also wrote stories for children. He served as Director of Inspection at the Ministry of Education and helped issue "Al-Ma'rifa" magazine. He believed that writing must be very hot or very cold to be effective. He passed away in 1433 AH (2011 AD) at the age of nearly a hundred.