Saudi Arabia’s budget surplus, mashaAllah, in time of recession

Yesterday, the Arab News reports that Saudi Arabia announced a record SR690 billion ($184 billion) surplus budget on Monday and said it would continue its programs to achieve sustained and balanced development all over the country, giving top priority to education and manpower training. Here is the link to the full story.

While most countries around the world are feeling the pinch of recession, and budget deficit is an acceptable norm even for the countries that have positive growth, Saudi Arabia enjoys the remarkable budget surplus. 


When I heard this news, I recited the verse ‘alladhi at’aama hum min juuin wa aamana hum min khauf’ (The one Who has fed them against hunger, and has made them safe from fear. Quran 106:4) This verse is from Chapter Quraish. It relates to the peace restored in Makkah by Allah and assurance of provision for the people living in it. It is sanctity of the city that fighting is prohibited in it, and when Prophet (peace be upon him) entered victorious in the city, he gave amnesty to all. 

Makkah has been sacred even before the times of Prophet (peace be upon him) and despite several conspiracies, such as the one narrated in the Chapter Feel of Quran, the city has remained mostly peaceful, free from any political upheavals. It was wisdom of Allah that when Islamic history witnessed political tussles, the centre of politics was Baghdad after Caliph Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), and later on Damascus was the capital of Umayyad Chaliphs, thus allowing Makkah and Madina to prosper peacefully as cities of religious learning. 

It is Allah’s mercy because of which the land enjoys peace, while so many countries in the Middle-East have violent struggle against regimes or change of power. The Saudi government has also continuously improved the facilities for the pilgrims in the two holy cities. 

I am copying below the Chapter Quraish of Quran:

[106:001] (It is a great grace from Allâh) for the protection of the Quraish,

[106:002] (And with all those Allâh's grace and protections, We cause) the (Quraish) caravans to set forth safe in winter (to the south) and in summer (to the north without any fear),

[106:003] So let them worship (Allâh) the Lord of this House (the Ka'bah in Makkah),

[106:004] (He) Who has fed them against hunger, and has made them safe from fear.