Uyayna is located inside the narrow, dry river-bed of Wadi Hanifa, which continues southwards through Dir'iyyah and Riyadh.

Instead, early Muslim geographic sources, such as Yaqut, mention the towns of 'Aqraba, Budha, and al-Haddar, the latter said to be Musaylima's home village.

After extensive travels, Ibn Abd al-Wahhab returned to Uyayna in 1740, and began his call to "purify" local Islamic practice from what he considered to be illegitimate innovations akin to idolatry.

Ibn Abd al-Wahhab found refuge among the clan of Al Saud in nearby Dir'iyyah, further south.

King Abdulaziz Military College, which is in charge of training the officer corps of the Saudi Army, is located in Uyayna.