I do not like arguments and self-blame after talking about the departed, as the science of biographies, classes and lives is based on narrating the exploits of the dead for the most part. In addition, praising someone who is not present is closer to objectivity, safer from discord, and less likely to provoke the wrath of opponents. It brings the reward of following the example of someone who has good news, and above all, it may be good news and a lasting tongue of truth, and not hasty good things.

I say this when writing about a personality who preferred seclusion and avoided the spotlight; however, his light shone and his fragrance spread. He is His Excellency Dr. Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sulaiman, the former Minister of Commerce and then Finance, who is distinguished, as his colleague, Minister Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, described him, by the calm of a reassuring person, the humility of a confident person, and his humane dealings, and his positions are defined by the concept of a statesman. Because of this, he left this life with dignity and did not need anyone, according to the writer and academic Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Qunaibit, while Dr. Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Awaji described him as an example of defying the temptations of the chair.

Abu Basil studied at Al-Najat National School in Al-Zubair, then at the Faculty of Commerce at Cairo University. He obtained a master’s degree from the University of Southern California and a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in 1970, both in international relations. He was a colleague of a large number of famous figures, and among the situations he studied with three young men who later became ministers was that their lives were almost lost in a horrific accident in 1964.

During his life, he worked as a boy in a shop near him in Arar, as a muezzin in Tabuk, and as a grocery store vendor in Dhahran. Life is nothing without shameful idleness. At university, he established a pioneering association for international relations. When he became Minister of Commerce for twenty years (1395-1416), he faced supply crises in food and building materials. He established commercial attachés in embassies, strove to ensure the continuation of chambers of commerce elections, sought to award medals of merit to factories and companies, and created a system for family businesses that would prevent heir disputes. He recruited notaries to the ministry headquarters to facilitate matters for clients, because he believed in the private sector more than the sector believed in itself, as Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said.

In the year 1416, he was chosen as Minister of Finance following a comprehensive ministerial change. He removed from the shoulders of this venerable ministry the responsibility for statistics, grain silos, international trade cooperation, and the Institute of Administration, aiming to limit the work of his new ministry to the treasury only. He was surprised, and he had the right to be surprised, if the selection of a location for an ATM was entrusted with the approval of the minister!

He then spent a few months in the ministry, after which he submitted his resignation, which was accepted by King Fahd through the intercession of Prince Sultan. The resignation was explained at the time as being for health reasons, while Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Abduljabbar believes that Al-Saleem discovered that the ministry's method of work did not suit his nature, so he preferred to leave it and the Council of Ministers.

A former minister told me that all the ministers would be silent and Dr. Al-Saleem would speak. His speech was brief and clear and he would receive special attention from King Fahd. The minister had positions in which he consulted kings and princes regarding their orders, or regarding issues intertwined between trade and sovereign ministries, and he would find their response and cooperation. The worst official is the one who carries out without discussion, or who fears to be frank with those stronger than him about what he is convinced of, thinking that bowing the head, lowering his gaze, and remaining silent is the safest way to remain in the position, or the best indication of loyalty and obedience, but that is not the way!

Among his political views is the necessity of balancing the relationship with America between pleasant union and definitive divorce; a hair of Muawiyah is enough for us and will suffice us. Economically, he believes that the state is the worst merchant, and no one can outsmart a merchant except his neighbor, as he quotes businessman Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Juffali. He repeatedly narrates from the famous wealthy Sheikh Suleiman Al-Olayan that a manager at home is better than a wall, meaning that controlling expenses is more important than increasing revenues. He has a generous hand in establishing and strengthening professional entities such as the Engineers Association and the Certified Public Accountants Association, initiatives that serve and advance society. Educationally, he recommends smiling, as it is the most beautiful adornment.

He also does not treat his relatives and friends preferentially, and serves them on two conditions: that the service does not violate the system, and that it does not come at the expense of another party, as mentioned by the lawyer Osama bin Muhammad Al-Saleem. Our lawyer has a legal biography for the readers, may God hasten its relief. It is strange that he travels without the pomp of class, lounges, reception, or privacy on airplanes.

While those who knew him described him as a man of few words, encyclopedic in culture, punctual, dedicated to work, imbued with a team spirit, and who did not plagiarize the achievements of his employees, and that is why his Undersecretary, Dr. Abdulrahman Abdullah Al-Zamil, was more famous than him, and they agreed that the position did not affect him, so he left it smoothly. However, those who knew him later would not know that he was a minister, academic, and writer; due to his closeness to others, and the seldomness of his speech in contrast to his listening.

He was passionate about learning and teaching, and obsessed with the love of the Arabic language and its literature. Many people reported that he corrected them on a linguistic level, while language and literature professors praised his questions and contributions. His companion in study, university, and the Council of Ministers, Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, used to call him the Audit Bureau or Sibawayh. He honored those who elevate his language, especially when it is the language of the Holy Book?

At home, he is friendly, humble, and loves his family. He encouraged his wife and children and supported his wife and daughter until they obtained the highest degrees and most prestigious academic degrees. Due to the privacy of the home, he does not bring work papers to him, and he agreed with his wife that she should not bring her research books to her home. He does not like eating at restaurants, and bread with thyme is his favorite dinner!

He has the skill to distribute love, and is committed to order even during his mealtimes. He creates a familiarity with his clothes, and appreciates beauty whenever he sees it. He is fond of reading, poetry, walking, and healthy eating, and he follows football matches to the point of declaring an emergency in the house during those times.

Although his home at the beginning of his career was small and his financial situation was tight, he hosted five of his young relatives in a quasi-hotel-like service, in addition to participating in football games with them. He played pranks and told stories to them, and he hosted his university students at home barbecues, making sure to arouse a spirit of inquiry in them.

After he had expanded his hospitality, he opened the weekend Diwaniya, which was frequented by diverse visitors even after his retirement. Dr. Al-Saleem moderated the discussion with few words, leaving the conversation to his guests. He then concluded the conversation with balanced and measured expressions. Some Diwaniya attendees described to me his comments on economic issues as short, logical, and meaningful. He gave all his guests a share of his attention and care, without discrimination or ignoring anyone present. He welcomed anyone who came, and scheduled his travel and return to suit the time of his meeting. When he was buried, his children continued to open the meeting monthly.

Unaizah, its people, and his distinguished family with its branches hold a special place in his heart, which does not contradict his national contributions. He follows up on the affairs of his town with its governors, who benefit from his administrative experience, as stated by the governors of Unaizah, Major General Abdullah Al Yahya Al Salim and Engineer Musaed Al Yahya Al Salim. Meanwhile, lawyer Mohammed Al Ahmad Al Zamil praised Abu Basil's stances towards his family, as he precedes those present at its meetings and participates in financially supporting its activities.

His life is not without funny situations that he creates or memorizes and enjoys. He names his eldest sister Al-Baji, and one of his daughters Lamoush. His granddaughter did not convince him of the difference between Al-Zahri and Al-Fawshi, and he said to his daughter’s husband, “I envy you for this wife.” And because of the stories he told about his grandmother, the title of “the old woman of the class” was attached to a girl in high school!

When his nephew told him that the board of directors was difficult to understand, he countered with another opinion: "Perhaps you, my nephew, are not good at presenting!" He sat on the bench of his relative's store in Taif, where a man was arguing with him about the price and threatening to file a complaint with the Ministry of Commerce. The merchant said to his customer: "There is the minister in front of you!"

His wife wanted to buy a used luxury car, but he refused to let it park in front of his house. At the ministry’s parties for its guests, he advised the supervisors not to forget the yogurt and dates. He did not forget the story of the cheese and olives for one of his relatives, and suggested to a friend who gave birth to a girl on the night of December 25th that they name her Maryam. He repented from deputizing Dr. Al-Qusaibi for his ministry when he traveled, and he always urged his companion Abu Yara to be flexible and avoid confrontation. If what Al-Qusaibi wrote about his healthy companionship was collected in his book, A Life in Administration, it would come out in an enjoyable article.

I have taken most of this information from a large book entitled: Pens that Tell, prepared by Prof. Dr. Noura bint Saleh Al-Shamlan, whose first edition was published in the year (1440 = 2019 AD) in (586) pages, and consists of a dedication, an introduction, four chapters, a conclusion, and an appendix of photos. The first chapter talks about highlights on the life of Suleiman Al-Saleem, the title of the second is Happy Days with Him, the third monitors his contributions to the written and visual media, and the longest is the fourth, which contains (152) articles that portray the deceased in the eyes of his fans.

The noble wife dedicated her book to those who loved Sulayman al-Salim. The idea for it arose after her soul found peace with the blessing of the Quran following the passing of her life partner. She collected what had been published about him and enlisted his knowledge in a beautiful act of loyalty. She thanked those who helped her, most notably Dr. Abdulrahman al-Shabili, one of the most famous writers about our country's figures. In the book's conclusion, she mentioned that her husband's dormant achievements were awakened by the pens of his lovers. She described the book as the book of her life, the conduit for her works, and the closest to her heart.

The book needs to correct minor errors in grammar, pronouns, and typography, and to amend some dates. The articles should also be reclassified according to the relationship between the writer and the translator, or arranged alphabetically, which is not the case even though it was indicated. What seems most appropriate is to extract extracts from the situations and stories, and publish them in a smaller, easier-to-read and disseminate book.

The book contains an implicit message to every person with experience and stances, to take the initiative to narrate their memories or write their biography, as we need to transcend the feigned asceticism, while seeking honesty and objectivity as much as possible. Experiences will be among the best things that our predecessors leave for their successors, for the concern of the former for the latter, and the appreciation of the latter for the former, are traits that befit us and are consistent with the principles of our religion, the requirements of our Arabism, and the traditions of our forefathers.