Article 2 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
المادة 2 من نظام مجلس الشورى
Article 2 sets the principles on which the Shura Council rests: holding fast to the rope of God, adherence to the sources of Islamic legislation, and members' concern for the public good.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يقوم مجلس الشورى على الاعتصام بحبل الله، والالتزام بمصادر التشريع الإسلامي، ويحرص أعضاء المجلس على خدمة الصالح العام، والحفاظ على وحدة الجماعة وكيان الدولة، ومصالح الأمة.
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 2 explained in plain English
After Article 1 established the Shura Council and tied its work to the Book and the Sunnah, this article sets out the principles on which the Council rests and what its members should be concerned with.
The Council rests on two things:
- Holding fast to the rope of God.
- Adherence to the sources of Islamic legislation, which is reflected in the laws and regulations the Council studies and the opinions it gives.
As for the members, the article requires them to be concerned with:
- Serving the public good.
- Preserving the unity of the community and the entity of the State.
- The interests of the nation.
In practice this means that a member works in the Council to serve the public interest, not the interest of a group or a person, and that the opinions they give should take into account the unity of the community and the entity of the State. Article 3 then sets out the composition of the Council, made up of a president and one hundred and fifty members chosen by the King.
The article is general and directive in nature; it does not create specific procedures, but it represents the framework within which the rest of the articles of the Law are read.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAsk a specialist lawyer about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Frequently asked questions about Article 2 of the Saudi Shura Council Law
What does the Shura Council rest on?
It rests on holding fast to the rope of God and adherence to the sources of Islamic legislation.
What should Shura Council members be concerned with?
Serving the public good, preserving the unity of the community and the entity of the State, and the interests of the nation.
More articles on Formation and Term of the Shura Council
- Article 1
Article 1 establishes the Shura Council on the principle of consultation in the Quran and Sunnah, to exercise its tasks under this Law and the Basic Law of Governance.
عملا بقول الله تعالى: [فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْف
- Article 3Amended by A/44
Article 3 provides that the Shura Council consists of a president and 150 members chosen by the King, with women's representation of no less than 20% of the members.
يتكون مجلس الشورى من رئيس ومائة وخمسين عضواً، يختارهم الملك، من أهل العلم والخبرة والاختصاص، على ألا يقل تمثيل المرأة فيه عن (20%) من عدد الأعضاء، وتحدد حقوق ال
- Article 12
Article 12 sets the seat of the Shura Council in the city of Riyadh, and allows it to meet elsewhere within the Kingdom if the King sees fit.
مقر مجلس الشورى ، هو مدينة الرياض. ويجوز اجتماع المجلس في جهة أخرى داخل المملكة، إذا رأى الملك ذلك.
- Article 13
Article 13 sets the Shura Council's term at four Hijri years, requires the new Council to be formed at least two months before the old one ends, and renewal of at least half the members.
مدة مجلس الشورى ، أربع سنوات هجرية، تبدأ من التاريخ المحدد في الأمر الملكي الصادر بتكوينه. ويتم تكوين المجلس الجديد قبل انتهاء مدة سلفه بشهرين على الأقل. وفي حا
- Article 14
Article 14 provides that the King, or the person he delegates, delivers a royal speech in the Shura Council each year covering the State's domestic and foreign policy.
يلقي الملك أو من ينيبه، في مجلس الشورى ، كل سنة خطابا ملكيا، يتضمن سياسة الدولة الداخلية والخارجية.
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.