Understanding Islamic Sharia and the KSA Legal System

The promotion of the rule of law in the Middle East, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (the KSA), is becoming increasingly important due to globalization. The country operates within a conventional Islamic legal framework, a non-constitutional monarchy. However, the pace of reform and change in the KSA is slow. Understanding the essence and significance of law within the legal framework is crucial for advancing a rule of law system in the KSA and other Muslim and Middle Eastern nations. This study examines the legal framework of the KSA, which is based on monarchy, tribal organization, and traditional Islamic Sharīʿa. The study also investigates the feasibility of implementing change in a country like the KSA, where its legal system may be too entrenched in certain ideologies and traditions, hindering its ability to adopt necessary reforms for a rule of law system. The keywords: the KSA legal system; Islamic Sharīʿa; Primary sources; Secondary sources; statutory law. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/138-07 Publication date: December 31 st 2023