King of Saudi Arabia

King of Saudi Arabia
ملك المملكة العربية السعودية
Royal Standard of Saudi Arabia
Incumbent
Salman
since 23 January 2015
Details
StyleThe Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
Heir presumptiveMohammad bin Salman Al Saud
First monarchSaud I
Formation1720
ResidenceAl-Yamamah Palace
(Riyadh)
Al-Safa Palace
(Mecca)
Al-Salam Palace
(Jeddah)
Tayibah Palace
(Medina)
Al-Aziziya Palace
(Dammam)
Websitehttps://houseofsaud.com/
Politics of Saudi Arabia

Arab League Member State of the Arab League

Basic Law
Monarchy
Government
Legal system
Recent elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
flag Saudi Arabia portal
Politics of Saudi Arabia

Arab League Member State of the Arab League

Basic Law
Monarchy
Government
Legal system
Recent elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
flag Saudi Arabia portal

The king of Saudi Arabia, officially the King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arabic: ملك المملكة العربية السعودية), is the head of state and head of government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who holds absolute power. He is the head of the Saudi Arabian royal family, the House of Saud.[1] The king is the commander-in-chief of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and the head of the Saudi national honors system. The king is called the "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" (خادم الحرمين الشريفين), a title that signifies Saudi Arabia's jurisdiction over the mosques of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina. The title has been used many times through the history of Islam. The first Saudi king to use the title was Faisal; however, King Khalid did not use the title after him. In 1986, King Fahd replaced "His Majesty" with the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and it has been since used by both King Abdullah and King Salman.[2] The king has been named the most powerful and influential Muslim and Arab leader in the world according to the Muslim 500.[3]

History

King Abdulaziz Al Saud, known in the West as Ibn Saud, regained his patrimony, which is known as today's Saudi Arabia in 1902. Restoring his family as emirs of Emirate of Riyadh, he then established the Sultanate of Nejd as his headquarters in 1922. Following the establishment of Riyadh as the capital of his state, Ibn Saud then captured Hejaz in 1925.[4]

Ibn Saud proclaimed his dominions as the Sultanate of Nejd in 1921, shortly before completing the unification of the region. He was proclaimed king (malik) of Hejaz in 1926, and raised Nejd to a kingdom as well in 1927. For the next five years, Ibn Saud administered the two parts of his realm, the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd as separate units. On 23 September 1932, he formally united his territories into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.[5][6]

Succession

Further information: Succession to the Saudi Arabian throne

The kings since Ibn Saud's death have all been his sons, and all likely immediate successors to the reigning King Salman will be from among his progeny.[7] This makes the Saudi monarchy quite distinct from Western monarchies, which usually feature large, clearly defined royal families and orders of succession, and use the primogeniture system of succession. Muhammad bin Nayef was the first grandson of Ibn Saud to be in the line of succession before being deposed from the position of Crown Prince by a royal decree in 2017.[8]

Other functions

The king of Saudi Arabia is also considered the head of the House of Saud and, until 2021, the prime minister. The crown prince was also the "deputy prime minister" until 2021 and is currently prime minister. The kings after Faisal have named a "second deputy prime minister" as the subsequent heir after the crown prince.

Opposition

Criticism of the King, religious leaders, or government is not allowed and can generally mean jail time for the critics. It can also result in death.[9][10]

Kings of Saudi Arabia (present)

Flag of the Al Saud dynasty

This is a list of rulers of Saudi Arabia, a kingdom on the Arabian Peninsula.

Sheikhdom of Diriyah

Main article: Sheikhdom of Diriyah
  • 1446–1727 Sheikhdom of Diriyah
NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Saud I
  • سعود الأول
1640
–
1725		17201725
(death by natural causes)		Was the eponymous ancestor of the House of Saud
Son of Emir Muhammad bin Muqrin		Muqrin


First Saudi State

Main article: Emirate of Diriyah
  • 1727-1818 Emirate of Diriyah
NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Muhammad bin Saud
  • Muhammad I of Saudi Arabia.jpg
  • محمد بن سعود آل مقرن
1687–176517271765Founder of the Saudi State and Son of Saud ISaudMuhammad bin Saud
Abd al-Aziz bin Muhammad
  • عبد العزيز بن محمد آل سعود
1721–180317651803Son of Imam Muhammad ISaud
Saud bin Abd al-Aziz bin Muhammad
  • سعود
1748–181418031814Son of Imam Abdulaziz I.Saud
Abdullah bin Saud
  • عبد الله بن سعود آل سعود
1785–181818141818He was the last ruler of the First Saudi State and was executed by the Ottomans. Son of Imam Saud II.SaudAbdullah bin Saud

Second Saudi State

Main article: Emirate of Nejd
  • 1823-1891 Emirate of Nejd
NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Turki bin Abdullah
  • ترکي بن عبدالله بن محمد
1755 – 183418231834^‡Founder of the Second Saudi State and grandson of Muhammad ISaud
Mishari
  • مشاري الأول
1786 – 183418341834^‡Son of Imam Turki ISaud
Faisal bin Turki
  • فيصل بن تركي بن عبد الله آل سعود
1785 – 186518341838
(First term.)		Son of Imam TurkiSaud
Khalid I
  • خالد الأول
؟ - 186118381841Son of Imam Abdulaziz ISaud
Abdullah II
  • عبد الله الثاني
؟ – 184318411843Son of Imam Saud IISaud
Faisal bin Turki
  • فيصل بن تركي بن عبد الله آل سعود
1785 – 186518431865
(Second term.)		son of Imam TurkiSaud
Abdullah III
  • عبد الله الثالث
1831 – 188918651871
(First term.)		son of Imam FaisalSaud
Saud III
  • سعود الثالث
؟ – 187418711871
(First term.)		Son of Imam Abdullah ISaud
Abdullah III
  • عبد الله الثالث
1831 – 188918711873
(Second term.)		son of Imam FaisalSaud
Saud III
  • سعود الثالث
؟ – 187418731875
(Second term.)		Son of Imam Abdullah ISaud
Abdul Rahman bin Faisal
  • عبد الرحمن بن فيصل آل سعود
1850–192818751876
(First term.)		Son of Imam Faisal ISaudAbdul Rahman bin Faisal
Abdullah III
  • عبد الله الثالث
1831 – 188918761889
(Third term.)		son of Imam FaisalSaud
Abdul Rahman bin Faisal
  • عبد الرحمن بن فيصل آل سعود
1850–192818891891
(Second term.)		Son of Imam Faisal ISaudAbdul Rahman bin Faisal

Third Saudi State (1902–present)

Main article: Third Saudi State
This section is transcluded from King of Saudi Arabia. (edit | history)
NameLifespanReign startReign endNotesFamilyImage
Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia
  • Ibn Saud
  • عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن آل سعود
(1875-01-15)15 January 1875 –
9 November 1953(1953-11-09) (aged 78)		13 January 19029 November 1953
(death by natural causes)		Reign established by conquest
Son of Abdul Rahman bin Faisal and Sara bint Ahmed Al Sudairi		SaudIbn Saud of Saudi Arabia
Saud of Saudi Arabia
  • سعود بن عبد العزيز آل سعود
(1902-01-15)15 January 1902 –
23 February 1969(1969-02-23) (aged 67)		9 November 1953 (aged 51)2 November 1964
(abdicated)		Son of King Abdulaziz and Wadha bint Muhammad Al OrairSaudSaud of Saudi Arabia
Faisal of Saudi Arabia
  • فيصل بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود
(1906-04-14)14 April 1906 –
25 March 1975(1975-03-25) (aged 68)		2 November 1964 (aged 58)25 March 1975
(assassinated)		Son of King Abdulaziz and Tarfa bint Abdullah Al SheikhSaudFaisal of Saudi Arabia
Khalid of Saudi Arabia
  • خالد بن عبد العزيز آل سعود
(1913-02-13)13 February 1913 –
13 June 1982(1982-06-13) (aged 69)		25 March 1975 (aged 62)13 June 1982 (death by natural causes)Son of King Abdulaziz and Al Jawhara bint Musaed bin Jiluwi Al SaudSaudKhalid of Saudi Arabia
Fahd of Saudi Arabia
  • فهد بن عبد العزيز آل سعود
16 March 1920 – 1 August 2005 (aged 85)13 June 1982 (aged 62)1 August 2005 (death by natural causes)Son of King Abdulaziz and Hussa bint Ahmed Al SudairiSaudFahd of Saudi Arabia
Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
  • عبد الله بن عبدالعزيز آل سعود
(1924-08-01)1 August 1924 –
23 January 2015(2015-01-23) (aged 90)		1 August 2005 (aged 81)23 January 2015 (death by natural causes)Son of King Abdulaziz and Fahda bint Asi Al ShuraimSaudAbdullah of Saudi Arabia
Salman of Saudi Arabia
  • سلمان بن عبد العزیز آل سعود
 (1935-12-31) 31 December 1935 (age 89)23 January 2015 (aged 79)IncumbentSon of King Abdulaziz and Hussa bint Ahmed Al SudairiSaudSalman of Saudi Arabia


Genealogy

Timeline

Salman of Saudi ArabiaAbdullah of Saudi ArabiaFahd of Saudi ArabiaKhalid of Saudi ArabiaFaisal of Saudi ArabiaSaud of Saudi ArabiaIbn SaudAbdul Rahman bin FaisalAbdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al SaudAbdul Rahman bin FaisalSaud bin Faisal bin Turki Al SaudAbdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al SaudSaud bin Faisal bin Turki Al SaudAbdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al SaudFaisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al SaudAbdullah bin Thunayan Al SaudKhalid bin Saud Al Saud (died 1865)Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al SaudMishariTurki bin Abdullah bin MuhammadAbdullah bin SaudSaud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad bin SaudAbdul-Aziz bin MuhammadMuhammad bin SaudSaud ibn Muhammad ibn Muqrin

Standard of the Kingdom

See also: Flag of Saudi Arabia

The Royal Standard consists of a green flag, with an Arabic inscription and a sword featured in white, and with the national emblem embroidered in gold in the lower right canton of the year 1973.

  • Royal Flag of the King (Ratio: 2:3)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Royal Flag of the King
    (Ratio: 2:3)
  • Royal Standard of the King (Ratio: 1:1)
    Royal Standard of the King
    (Ratio: 1:1)

The script on the flag is written in the Thuluth script. It is the shahada or Islamic declaration of faith:

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله
lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh, muhammadun rasūlu-llāh
There is no other god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God.[12]
  • Royal Flag of the King (1938-1953) (Ratio: 2:3)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagRoyal Flag of the King (1938-1953)
    (Ratio: 2:3)
  • Royal Banner of the King (1938-1953) (Ratio: 12:25)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagRoyal Banner of the King (1938-1953)
    (Ratio: 12:25)
  • Royal Standard of the King (1938-1953) (Ratio: 1:1)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagRoyal Standard of the King (1938-1953)
    (Ratio: 1:1)
  • Royal Flag of the King (1953-1964) (Ratio: 2:3)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagRoyal Flag of the King (1953-1964)
    (Ratio: 2:3)
  • Royal Standard of the King (1953-1964) (Ratio: 1:1)
    Royal Standard of the King (1953-1964)
    (Ratio: 1:1)
  • Royal Flag of the King (1964-1973) (Ratio: 2:3)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagRoyal Flag of the King (1964-1973)
    (Ratio: 2:3)
  • Royal Standard of the King (1964-1973) (Ratio: 1:1)
    Royal Standard of the King (1964-1973)
    (Ratio: 1:1)

Current heir-presumptive

Royal Standard

See also: Flag of Saudi Arabia
  • The Royal Flag consists of a green flag, with an Arabic inscription and a sword featured in white, and with the national emblem embroidered in gold in the lower right canton.[14]
Royal Flag of the King Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag

The script on the flag is written in the Thuluth script. It is the shahada or Islamic declaration of faith:

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله
lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh, muhammadun rasūlu-llāh
There is no god but God: Muhammad is the Messenger of God."[15]
  • The Royal Standard consists of a green flag, in the center of the national emblem embroidered with gold.


See also

References

  1. ^ "Saudi Arabia - Government and society". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Story behind the king's title". Arab News. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  3. ^ "King Salman of Saudi Arabia Ranked as the Most Influential Muslim in 2023". 31 October 2022.
  4. ^ "History | The Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". saudiembassy.net. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  5. ^ "About Saudi Arabia". UNDP in Saudi Arabia. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  6. ^ "History of Saudi Arabia. ( The Saudi National Day 23, Sep )". pmu.edu.sa. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Governance and Politics of Saudi Arabia". Fanack.com. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Mohammed bin Salman becomes Saudi Crown Prince with 31 out of 34 votes". Al Arabiya English. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Saudi expats launch opposition party on anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's death". TheGuardian.com. 2 October 2020.
  10. ^ Saudi Arabia: Events of 2019. 12 December 2019.
  11. ^ James Wynbrandt (2010). A Brief History of Saudi Arabia (berilustrasi ed.). Infobase Publishing. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-8160-7876-9. 9780816078769.
  12. ^ "About Saudi Arabia: Facts and figures". The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington D.C. Archived from the original on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  13. ^ "Who is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed?". BBC News. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Royal Standard (Saudi Arabia)". crwflags.com. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  15. ^ "About Saudi Arabia: Facts and figures". The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington D.C. Archived from the original on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.

^‡ assassinated.