Saudi Arabia: A non-Islamic Country

In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

"O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah and give up what remains from Riba, if you are (really) believers. And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allah and His Messenger but if you repent,you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly" (Quran 2:278-279)


Ibn Majah recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said, "Riba is seventy types, the least of which is equal to one having sexual intercourse with his mother." (Ibn Kathir)

Whenever, I told people that Saudi Arabia is not an Islamic country, some would not believe me, and cite me that the Saudi laws are based on Islamic Sharia, and they would tell me that we should not disrespect the country that contains the two most holy places for believers. In fact, Saudi Arabia has become an Arab country that is populated with Arab Muslims, and is not an Islamic country anymore.Why do I say that? Well, let us look at the following facts, and you can decide for yourself, if Islam is the supreme law of the land.

Saudi Arabia is a kingdom ruled by a family, who establishes the law. If Saudi Arabia was an Islamic country, then Islam will be the supreme law, and any law or royal decree that contradicts Islam would not be implemented. Moreover, any act of disobedience to Allah will not be decreed by the ruler, or tolerated. So, is Saudi Arabia an Islamic Country?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. There is no Islamic country left in this world, and no country can claim that they uphold Islam above all man made law and regulations. Saudi Arabia is probably the best case for a possible Islamic country. However, recently, I realized the hypocrisy of Saudi Arabia, and it was very painful. First I thought that I am mistaken and misunderstanding the situation, but then I verified with my teacher Dr. Anwar Sahib, who lived in Medinah for 15 years, and he concurred with my conclusion.

In 1957, Saudi Arabia surrendered to IMF, and disobeyed Allah's command in the above verse. IMF stands for International Monetary Funds. It is one of the five institution established, on July 22, 1944, during Bretton Woods Conference, during World War II, which established the current world monetary system. Although membership is voluntary, every country was pressured to become member. Initially, no one need to take any assistance, but every country has a credit limit, which can be used to fulfil budget gaps. Loans are taken on interest, and returned over time. Saudi Arabia also fell into the trap.

According to 2011 Article IV IMF report, Saudi Arabia paid 8.6 billion Saudi Riyal in interest payments. Also, SAMA ( Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency) provides loans to commercial banks at discounted rates (interest) to encourage conventional banking systems that has been established in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Citizens earn interest on savings account, and take interest loans. All of this activity is decreed by the Saudi Law which clearly overrides the law of Islam in Saudi Arabia.

How can this be an Islamic country? This is an ultimate hypocrisy. On one side, foreigners are being beheaded, and on the other side Riba is being established. Since when having Allah and his Messenger waging war against you, makes you a leader of believers. I reject this version of Islamic Sharia which is only upheld in some cases and ignored in other.

In fact, Saudi Arabia is not a model for Islam, and we should not look up to it as moral compass. Islam does not ask us to ban women from driving. Islam does not say that Arabs are superior than non-Arabs. Islam does not allow for Al Walid ibn Talal to mock Allah's commandment of Hijab. Islam does not allow for a ruler to establish Riba.

I hope that these facts will clear up the misconception that Saudi Arabia has established the Islamic Sharia, which it has not, because many use it as an argument, and it is clear that Saudi Royal family is the final authority in Saudi Arabia, and not Allah. No one can challenge the royal decree of permitting interest, and get it over ruled on the basis of Quranic verse above. Can they?

One more time. There is no Islamic country in the world, and every believer lives under a non-Islamic rule.

May Allah establishes an Islamic land which is ruled by Allah's commands, and it is only possible, if we keep practicing Islam in our individual lives.

JazakAllah Khairin

Resident of Non-Islamic Country
AbuArman Jumani