Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, Passes Away at 82
RIYADH – The Royal Saudi Court has officially announced the passing of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. The highly respected Islamic scholar died at the age of 82.
In response to the news, King Salman bin Abdulaziz has directed that Salat al-Ghaib (funeral prayers in absentia) be performed for the late Sheikh. The prayers will take place today after the Asr prayer at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and in mosques across the Kingdom. Funeral prayers will also be held at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh was one of the most influential religious figures in the Islamic world. He held the position of Grand Mufti, served as the Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and was the Chairman of the General Presidency of Islamic Research and Ifta, the official body for issuing religious edicts. He was the third scholar to hold the prestigious title of Grand Mufti in the Kingdom’s history, after Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Shaikh and Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz.
Born in Mecca on November 30, 1943, Sheikh Al Sheikh was raised as an orphan after his father passed away in 1951. He dedicated his youth to Islamic education, memorizing the Noble Quran at an early age. He lost his sight in his twenties but continued to deepen his knowledge in Sharia (Islamic law). Over the years, he became a member of academic councils and served as a prominent preacher at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh and at Nimrah Mosque in Arafat during Hajj.
His legacy includes numerous scholarly books and publications on Islamic doctrine, Sharia, and collections of fatwas (religious rulings) on matters of daily life, including lawful (Halal) and prohibited (Haram) acts.
