Article 11 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
المادة 11 من النظام الأساسي للحكم · الباب الثالث: مقومات المجتمع السعودي
The article provides that Saudi society is based on its members holding fast to the rope of God, cooperating in righteousness and piety, supporting one another, and not dividing.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يقوم المجتمع السعودي على أساس من اعتصام أفراده بحبل الله، وتعاونهم على البر والتقوى، والتكافل فيما بينهم، وعدم تفرقهم.
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 11 explained in plain English
This article sets the foundations on which Saudi society rests, and there are four, as stated in the text:
- Holding fast to the rope of God: That is, adhering to the religion of God.
- Cooperating in righteousness and piety: That is, members of society cooperating in good.
- Mutual support among them: That is, members of society bearing one another's needs.
- Not dividing: That is, society remaining cohesive.
This article describes the foundations of society and does not address a particular body with a specific obligation, and it contains no procedures or penalties. It is part of Chapter Three, which deals with the foundations of Saudi society.
This article is linked to Article 10, which provides that the state is keen to strengthen family ties and care for all its members, since a cohesive family is part of a mutually supportive society. It is also linked to Article 12, which provides that strengthening national unity is a duty and that the state prevents everything that leads to disunity, sedition and division, which relates to the principle of not dividing stated in this article.
This article concerns anyone who wants to know the general principles on which society in the Kingdom rests, such as researchers, students and bodies working in the social and charitable field.
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 11 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
On what basis does Saudi society rest according to the Basic Law of Governance?
Article 11 provides that society is based on its members holding fast to the rope of God, cooperating in righteousness and piety, supporting one another, and not dividing.
Does Article 11 contain specific penalties or obligations?
No. The article describes the foundations of society in general and contains no procedures or penalties.
More articles on Family, Society and Education
- Article 9
The article provides that the family is the nucleus of Saudi society, and its members are raised on the Islamic faith and what it requires of loyalty, obedience, respect for the law and love of the homeland.
الأسرة ، هي نواة المجتمع السعودي، ويربى أفرادها على أساس العقيدة الإسلامية، وما تقتضيه من الولاء والطاعة لله، ولرسوله، ولأولي الأمر، واحترام النظام وتنفيذه، وحب
- Article 10
The article provides that the state is keen to strengthen family ties, preserve the family's Arab and Islamic values, care for its members, and provide conditions for developing their abilities.
تحرص الدولة على توثيق أواصر الأسرة، والحفاظ على قيمها العربية والإسلامية، ورعاية جميع أفرادها، وتوفير الظروف المناسبة لتنمية ملكاتهم وقدراتهم.
- Article 12
The article provides that strengthening national unity is a duty, and that the state prevents everything that leads to disunity, sedition and division.
تعزيز الوحدة الوطنية واجب، وتمنع الدولة كل ما يؤدي للفرقة و الفتنة والانقسام.
- Article 13
The article sets the aims of education: instilling the Islamic faith in the young, giving them knowledge and skills, and preparing them to be useful members who love their homeland and are proud of its history.
يهدف التعليم إلى غرس العقيدة الإسلامية في نفوس النشء، وإكسابهم المعارف والمهارات، وتهيئتهم ليكونوا أعضاء نافعين في بناء مجتمعهم، محبين لوطنهم، معتزين بتاريخه.
- Article 29
The Article provides that the State cares for sciences, arts and culture, encourages scientific research, preserves the Islamic and Arab heritage, and contributes to Arab, Islamic and human civilization.
ترعى الدولة العلوم والآداب والثقافة، وتعنى بتشجيع البحث العلمي، وتصون التراث الإسلامي والعربي، وتسهم في الحضارة العربية والإسلامية والإنسانية.
- Article 30
The Article provides that the State provides general education and is committed to eradicating illiteracy.
توفر الدولة التعليم العام، وتلتزم بمكافحة الأمية.
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.