1. The significance of the 'ulama': a historical overview
2. Origins: the Shia faith
3. The theological convictions of the Saudi 'ulama' towards the Shi'a
4. The Saudi 'ulama' and the internal Shi'a threat
5. The Saudi 'ulama' and the external Shi'a threat: the case of Iran
6. the Saudi 'ulama' and the external Shi'a threat: the case of Bahrain, Iraq and Yemen