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Saudi Arabia

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The Basic Law of Saudi Arabia is a charter divided into nine chapters, consisting of 83 articles. It is a supplement to sharia and does not override Islamic laws.

As a Saudi Arabian prince put it, there cannot be a "a constitution, a regulation, or a law that runs counter to the Islamic Shari'a" in Saudi Arabia^[1]

Contents 1 Islamic clergy 2 Note 3 History 4 Chapter 1 General Principles 5 Chapter 2 [Monarchy] 6 Chapter 3 Features of the Saudi Family 7 Chapter 4 Economic Principles 8 Chapter 5 Rights and Duties 9 Chapter 6 The Authorities of the State 9.1 Islam as cornerstone of governance 9.2 Military 10 Chapter 7 Financial Affairs 11 Chapter 8 Control Bodies 12 Chapter 9 General Provisions 13 References and notes 14 External links

Islamic clergy (ulema) like muftis and sheikhs who dominate the Saudi Arabian legal positions make use of the Basic Law in addition to the Quran^[2], hadith, sunnah, sharia, and Islamic jurisprudence.

Since the first alliance Muhammad bin Saud (a ruler) and Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab (a cleric) in the 1700s, state and religion have become integrated and one^[3]. The government of Saudi Arabia reserves numerous jobs for the clergy that range from preaching to judgeships.

Technically, the document is referred to as the Basic Law, not Constitution, because it was not approved through a referendum.

The Basic Law was adopted after a decree by King Fahd in 1992^[4][5]. The laws do not change the Islamic penal system of Saudi Arabia. They were drafted by an ad hoc committee of the interior ministry, which Human Rights Watch accuses of egregious violations of human rights^[6].

Article 1 states that "God's Book and the Sunnah of His Prophet, God's prayers" are the country's constitution and Arabic is the official language with the capital at Riyadh.

Article 7 proclaims the divine right of the monarch. Next, per Article 8, "justice, consultation, and equality" shall be in accordance with Shari'ah.

Article 9 states that all members of each family in Saudi Arabia shall be reared "on the basis of the Islamic faith."

Article 18 guard the private property of citizens.

Article 21 calls for an "alms tax".

Article 27 establishes a "system of social security" that has made Saudi Arabia a welfare state. It is become feasible without expropriation and high taxes due to the large supplies of oil and a population of fewer than 30 million people.

Article 45 affirm that religious rulings must be in accordance with the " Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's Sunnah." To this end, a panel of Islamic clergy and research group shall be established.

According to Article 55, the king has to "rule according to the rulings of Islam and shall supervise the application of Shari'ah." Article 56 states that the king is the prime minister as well. Article 57 makes it clear that the king's cabinet and other lower-ranking officials must follow Islam. Those who deviate from this can be dismissed or punished.

Articles 60-62: The king is the commander-in-chief and it endowed with powers concerning war and the national security of the country.

Article 71 specifies that revenue is entered and spent according to rules of statutes which will be published regularly in the Official Gazette per Article 70.

Article 82 makes it clear that a temporary state of emergency during turmoil cannot violate Article 7 (Quran and sunnah).

• The Basic Law
• Saudi Arabia: Basic Law of Government
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's legal system
• Saudi Arabia Constitution
• Constitution, Government & Legislation of Saudi Arabia
• The View from a Majlis Ash-Shura Member - A Conversation with Usamah al Kurdi The Saudi-US Relations Information Service
• Saudi Arabia - Constitution