Article 8 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
المادة 8 من النظام الأساسي للحكم · الباب الثاني: نظام الحكم
The article provides that rule in the Kingdom is based on justice, shura and equality, according to Islamic Sharia.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يقوم الحكم في المملكة العربية السعودية على أساس العدل والشورى والمساواة، وفق الشريعة الإسلامية.
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 8 explained in plain English
This article sets the foundations on which rule in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is based, and they are three:
- Justice: That rule is based on giving everyone with a right his right.
- Shura: That rule is based on consultation.
- Equality: That rule is based on equality.
The article qualifies these three foundations with the phrase according to Islamic Sharia, meaning that the concept and scope of justice, shura and equality are understood within the framework of Sharia. This qualification covers all three foundations.
The article is a general text of principle: it does not specify the bodies that exercise shura, nor the means by which justice and equality are achieved, and it contains no detailed procedures or rights. It merely sets the foundation on which the other provisions on rule rest.
This article is linked to Article 7, which provides that rule derives its authority from the Book of God Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and that they govern this Law and all the laws of the state; Article 8 shows the foundations on which this rule is based in light of that reference. It is also linked to Article 1, which makes the Book and the Sunnah the Kingdom's constitution.
This article concerns researchers and specialists and anyone who wants to know the general principles on which rule in the Kingdom is based.
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 8 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
On what basis does rule in Saudi Arabia rest?
Article 8 provides that rule is based on justice, shura and equality, according to Islamic Sharia.
Does Article 8 specify the body or manner of shura?
No. The article states shura as a foundation of rule without specifying the body that exercises it or its manner.
More articles on Sharia as the Source of Governance and Laws
- Article 1
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.
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، وع
- Article 7
The article provides that rule in the Kingdom derives its authority from the Book and the Sunnah, and that they govern the Basic Law and all the laws of the state.
يستمد الحكم في المملكة العربية السعودية سلطته من كتاب الله تعالى، و سنة رسوله. وهما الحاكمان على هذا النظام وجميع أنظمة الدولة.
- Article 23
The Article provides that the State protects the Islamic faith, applies its Sharia, commands what is right and forbids what is wrong, and carries out the duty of calling to God.
تحمي الدولة عقيدة الإسلام، وتطبق شريعته، وتأمر بالمعروف وتنهى عن المنكر، وتقوم بواجب الدعوة إلى الله.
- Article 45
The Article provides that the source of fatwa in the Kingdom is the Book and the Sunnah, and refers the organization and powers of the Council of Senior Scholars and the Department of Scientific Research and Fatwa to the law.
مصدر الإفتاء في المملكة العربية السعودية ، كتاب الله تعالى، وسنة رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ويبين النظام ترتيب هيئة كبار العلماء وإدارة البحوث العلمية والإفتاء و
- Article 48
The Article requires the courts to apply the rules of Islamic Sharia in accordance with the Book and the Sunnah, and the laws issued by the ruler that do not conflict with them.
تطبق المحاكم على القضايا المعروضة أمامها أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية ، وفقا لما دل عليه الكتاب والسنة، وما يصدره ولي الأمر من أنظمة لا تتعارض مع الكتاب والسنة.
- Article 55
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.
يقوم الملك بسياسة الأمة سياسة شرعية طبقا لأحكام الإسلام ، ويشرف على تطبيق الشريعة الإسلامية ، والأنظمة، والسياسة العامة للدولة ، وحماية البلاد والدفاع عنها.
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.