Article 55 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
المادة 55 من النظام الأساسي للحكم · الباب السادس: سلطات الدولة
The Article provides that the King runs the affairs of the nation in accordance with Sharia policy based on the rules of Islam, and supervises the application of Sharia, the laws and the general policy, and the protection and defense of the country.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يقوم الملك بسياسة الأمة سياسة شرعية طبقا لأحكام الإسلام ، ويشرف على تطبيق الشريعة الإسلامية ، والأنظمة، والسياسة العامة للدولة ، وحماية البلاد والدفاع عنها.
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 55 explained in plain English
This Article sets out the King's general duties, and it includes:
- The policy of the nation: the King runs the affairs of the nation in accordance with Sharia policy based on the rules of Islam; the text ties this policy to the rules of Islam.
- Supervision: the King supervises:
- The application of Islamic Sharia;
- The application of the laws;
- The State's general policy;
- The protection and defense of the country.
This is consistent with Article 1, which provides that the Kingdom is an Arab Islamic state whose religion is Islam and whose constitution is the Book of God Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace be upon him.
The Article comes in Chapter Six, "The State's Authorities", among the Articles relating to the King and the Council of Ministers, and is followed by Article 56, which provides that the King is the head of the Council of Ministers, assisted by its members in performing his duties in accordance with this Law and other laws.
The Article is of a general nature that sets out the King's highest role, and it does not detail the instruments by which he carries out these duties; these are dealt with by other Articles of the Law and related laws.
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 55 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
What are the King's duties in the Basic Law of Governance?
Article 55 provides that the King runs the affairs of the nation in accordance with Sharia policy based on the rules of Islam, and supervises the application of Sharia, the laws, the State's general policy, and the protection and defense of the country.
What is meant by Sharia policy in Article 55?
The text ties it to the rules of Islam, stating that the King runs the affairs of the nation in accordance with Sharia policy based on the rules of Islam.
More articles on The King and the Council of Ministers
- Article 44
The Article sets out the State's three authorities, the judicial, executive and regulatory, provides that they cooperate in accordance with the laws, and states that the King is their reference.
تتكون السلطات في الدولة من : - السلطة القضائية. - السلطة التنفيذية. - السلطة التنظيمية. وتتعاون هذه السلطات في أداء وظائفها، وفقا لهذا النظام وغيره من الأنظمة،
- Article 56
The Article provides that the King is the head of the Council of Ministers, assisted by its members, and refers to the Council of Ministers Law the Council's powers and matters concerning ministers.
الملك هو رئيس مجلس الوزراء ، ويعاونه في أداء مهامه أعضاء مجلس الوزراء ، وذلك وفقا لأحكام هذا النظام وغيره من الأنظمة، ويبين نظام مجلس الوزراء صلاحيات المجلس فيم
- Article 57
The Article provides that the King appoints and relieves the deputy prime ministers and ministers by royal order, that they are jointly responsible before him, and that he may dissolve the Council of Ministers and reconstitute it.
أ - يعين الملك نواب رئيس مجلس الوزراء و الوزراء الأعضاء بمجلس الوزراء ، ويعفيهم بأمر ملكي . ب - يعتبر نواب رئيس مجلس الوزراء ، و الوزراء الأعضاء بمجلس الوزراء ،
- Article 58
The Article provides that the King appoints and relieves by royal order those of ministerial rank, deputy ministers and those of excellent grade, and that ministers and heads of independent agencies are responsible before the Prime Minister.
يعين الملك من في مرتبة الوزراء ونواب الوزراء ، ومن في المرتبة الممتازة ، ويعفيهم من مناصبهم بأمر ملكي ، وذلك وفقا لما يبينه النظام. ويعتبر الوزراء ورؤساء المصال
- Article 59
The Article refers to the law the rules of the civil service, including salaries, bonuses, compensation, benefits and pensions.
يبين النظام أحكام الخدمة المدنية ، بما في ذلك المرتبات ، والمكافآت ، والتعويضات ، والمزايا ، والمعاشات التقاعدية .
- Article 60
The Article provides that the King is the Supreme Commander of all military forces and is the one who appoints officers and ends their service in accordance with the law.
الملك هو القائد الأعلى لكافة القوات العسكرية ، وهو الذي يعين الضباط ، وينهي خدماتهم، وفقا للنظام.
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.