In the 1st Islamic century after hijrah or 638 CE, Hafar al-Batin was just a highway oasis in the desert that pilgrims passed while traveling to Mecca for Hajj.

It's an ancient desert trail that delivered silk and metals coming from China towards Mecca and Jeddah.

During the reign of Uthman (644 - 656 CE), many pilgrims complained about the lack of water, and Abu-Musa al-Asha'ari, a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad was placed in charge of the area and responded by digging new wells along the route.

Keeping this region dry was a critical move by the Arabs to prevent foreign armies, especially the Persians, from entering the inner derest.

Striking oil while digging wells is common in this region and the local Arabs knew the water ways; others didn't.

Due to its tough climate, his expeditionary officers reasoned that it was impossible for the 300 thousand man army to go south of Basra, thus they had to go north hoping to go around the Fertile Crescent which turned out to be quagmire on the long run.

[3] The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Housing announced in August 2020 that they would be including Hafr Al Batin in its program to increase residential ownership by its citizens.