The first alliance between Muhammad bin Saud and Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, and its continued success through the years, reflect the important role played by the Ulema in Saudi Arabia. That first alliance was both political and religious in nature and clearly emphasized the true notion of the state in Islam; that is, state and religion are inseparable. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an example of an Islamic state governed by the Holy Qur'an. It is therefore inevitable that the Ulema should play a key role within the Kingdom. They play an influential part in the following fields of government:
- The judicial system of Saudi Arabia
- The implementation of the rules of the Islamic Shari'ah
- Religious Guidance Group with affiliated offices all over the Kingdom
- Religious education, that is, Islamic legal education and theology at all levels in Saudi Arabia.
- Religious jurisprudence
- Preaching and guidance throughout the nation
- Supervision of girls' education
- Religious supervision of all Mosques in the Kingdom
- Preaching of Islam abroad
- Continuous scientific and Islamic research
- Notaries public
- The handling of legal cases in courts according to Islamic law
