Article 1 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
المادة 1 من النظام الأساسي للحكم · الباب الأول: المبادئ العامة
The article defines the Kingdom's identity: a fully sovereign Arab Islamic state, whose religion is Islam, whose constitution is the Book and the Sunnah, whose language is Arabic and whose capital is Riyadh.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
المملكة العربية السعودية، دولة عربية إسلامية، ذات سيادة تامة، دينها الإسلام، ودستورها كتاب الله تعالى وسنة رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم. ولغتها هي اللغة العربية، وعاصمتها مدينة الرياض.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 1 explained in plain English
This article comes in Chapter One on general principles of the Basic Law of Governance, and brings together in one text the main elements that define the state. These elements, as stated in the text, are:
- The name: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Belonging: An Arab Islamic state.
- Sovereignty: A state of full sovereignty.
- Religion: The religion of the state is Islam.
- The constitution: The Book of God Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace be upon him.
- Language: The Arabic language.
- Capital: The city of Riyadh.
The meaning of the text providing that the constitution is the Book and the Sunnah is that the state's highest reference is these two sources, and not another text that stands above them. The article does not address the details of applying these principles; it is a general founding text that sets the framework on which the remaining articles rest.
Article 2 completes the elements of this identity, providing that the state's two feasts are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and that its calendar is the Hijri calendar. This article helps anyone who wants to know the general character of the state, its reference, language and capital, whether a citizen, a resident, a student or a researcher.
Practical example
A student at a university in Riyadh is preparing a paper on the foundations of the state and wants to cite an official source for the Kingdom's constitution and official language. He refers to Article 1 of the Basic Law of Governance and finds that the Kingdom's constitution is the Book of God Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace be upon him, that its language is Arabic and its capital is Riyadh, and he cites this text in his paper.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 1 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
What is the constitution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Article 1 provides that the Kingdom's constitution is the Book of God Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace be upon him.
What is the state's language in Saudi Arabia?
Article 1 provides that the Kingdom's language is the Arabic language.
What is the capital of the Kingdom according to the Basic Law of Governance?
Article 1 provides that the capital of the Kingdom is the city of Riyadh.
More articles on Identity and Symbols of the State
- Article 2
The article provides that the state's two feasts are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and that the state's calendar is the Hijri calendar.
عيدا الدولة، هما عيدا الفطر والأضحى، وتقويمها، هو التقويم الهجري.
- Article 3
The article sets the descriptions of the state flag: green, its width two-thirds of its length, with the Shahada in the center and a drawn sword beneath it, never lowered, with the Law setting its rules.
يكون علم الدولة كما يلي : أ - لونه أخضر. ب - عرضه يساوي ثلثي طوله. ج - تتوسطه كلمة : (لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله) تحتها سيف مسلول، ولا ينكس العلم أبدا. ويبي
- Article 4
The article sets the state emblem as two crossed swords with a palm tree in the space above them, and refers to the Law to set the state's anthem and decorations.
شعار الدولة سيفان متقاطعان، ونخلة وسط فراغهما الأعلى، ويحدد النظام نشيد الدولة وأوسمتها.
- Article 64
The Article provides that the King confers decorations, and that this is done in the manner set out by the law.
يمنح الملك الأوسمة، وذلك على الوجه المبين بالنظام.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.