Dated: 15 Rabi‘ al‑Awwal 1374 A.H.
From Saud bin Abdulaziz,
To all whom this may concern among our subjects:
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
It is well known to all that the Book of God—the Glorious Qur’an revealed to His Noble Messenger—is our guide, our source of light, and the divine revelation sent as glad tidings and a warning to all people. The Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) preserved it through memorization and study, followed by the righteous generations after them, and by all whom God has blessed with devotion to His Book.
However, we have observed that many people have become preoccupied with worldly matters, and that a considerable number have neglected the study and memorization of this noble Book, leading to a noticeable decline in the number of those who memorize the Qur’an. There is concern that this neglect may continue.
Therefore, we have resolved to call upon the sons of our nation to devote themselves to this Book and to memorize it by heart. For this purpose, We hereby order the following:
First
A prize of two thousand riyals shall be awarded to every person who memorizes the Qur’an in its entirety, to be granted after fulfilling the conditions set forth in this decree.
Second
Anyone wishing to begin memorizing the Book of God—whether a student or a member of the general public—must register his name with the local judge or with the administration of the school he attends.
Third
Upon completion of memorization, the school principal or the judge shall listen to the candidate recite the Qur’an from beginning to end to verify that he has fully memorized it.
Fourth
Memorization must be accurate, with proper tajwīd and correct recitation.
Fifth
Once the certificate of memorization is issued, the prize shall be collected from the local financial administration.
Sixth
The names of those who memorize the Qur’an shall be recorded and published, and they shall be given a place of honor at any official ceremony held by the government, so that they may receive due respect and recognition.
Seventh
The Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Finance shall implement this decree.