The Five Pillars Of Islam: The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

The research of this paper was conducted to provide information to individuals about the formation of Saudi Arabia, its religion and how religion influences its government and people. Also about the Five Pillars of Islam and its importance to those of Islam.

Before being known as The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Arabia was known to be the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. It is about the size of the United States east of the Mississippi River. Saudi Arabia’s population is 27 million, including 8.4 million foreign residents according to a 2010 census. Due to its geographical locations, Saudi Arabia’s geography is diverse with forests, grasslands, mountain ranges and deserts. The climate also differs from region to region.

To Muslims, the concept and understanding of Shahabad is the most vital of the Five Pillars of Islam. Reciting the Shahabad in Arabic while in public for most is all it takes to be Muslim. Accepting Allah has your one and only god is more than enough. Salah is the praying of five times each day. Fajr (before sunrise), Zuhr (early afternoon), Asr (late afternoon), Maghrib (after sunset) and Isha (night). Islam is based on the people having an intimate relationship with Allah. In some mosques and countries across the worlds, there is a call for prayer on a loudspeaker and the saying Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest) is repeated four times, Ash-hadu an-laa ilaaha il-lal-lah (I witness that none deserves worship except God), Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasool-ullah (I witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God), Hayya ‘alas-Salah (Come to prayer!), Hayya ‘alal-Falah (Come to prosperity!), Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest), and La ilaaha il-lal-lah (None deserves worship except God) is repeated twice. (Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World

Their government is ruled by the King, who is also happens to be their commander in chief of the military. The way their monarchy works is that the King is able to assign a Crown Prince to help the King with duties however, the Crown Prince also happens to be the next in line for the throne. Executive positions are hereditary, judicial positions are appointed by royal decree and are in their positions till dismissal by monarch lastly, the legislative body works just the same as the judicial with the way they’re appointed. Just like in the Unites States, the King has a cabinet also called Council of Ministers. There are 22 Council of Ministers, each has a specific role. For example, some deal with education, agriculture or foreign affairs. Council of Ministers’ responsibility includes: drafting and overseeing implementation of the internal, external, financial, economic, education, defense and general affairs of the State. They have final authority for financial, executive and administrative matters. In case of a tie, the prime minister casts the last vote. It functions in unity with the Basic System of Governance and is advised by the Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council).