Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh has died

 The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Al-Sheikh died on Tuesday, the Royal Court announced on Tuesday 

With hearts filled with sorrow and submission to the decree of Allah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic world bid farewell to Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh (1362 AH / 1943 CE – 1447 AH / 2025 CE), the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and President of the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta.

‎Appointed as the third Grand Mufti in the history of the Kingdom in 1420 AH / 1999 CE, succeeding Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz, Sheikh Al-Sheikh served the religion and the Ummah with unwavering dedication until his passing on 1 Rabiʿ al-Thani 1447 AH / 23 September 2025 CE.

‎Born on 3 Dhul-Hijjah 1362 AH / 30 November 1943 CE in Makkah al-Mukarramah, Sheikh Abdulaziz grew up an orphan, losing his father at the tender age of eight. He memorized the Qur’an in his youth under the tutelage of Sheikh Muhammad bin Sinan and pursued his studies in Sharia under the guidance of the former Grand Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh. Despite losing his eyesight in his twenties, his determination to seek knowledge never faltered.

‎He went on to study with eminent scholars including Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Murshid, and Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Shathri. He graduated from the College of Sharia at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, specializing in Arabic and Islamic sciences in 1384 AH / 1965 CE.

‎Sheikh Abdulaziz began his career as a teacher at Imam al-Da’wah Institute in Riyadh before becoming a professor at the College of Sharia and the Higher Institute of Judiciary. His academic service extended to supervising theses at Imam University and Umm al-Qura University, nurturing generations of scholars and students.

‎As a khatib, he served at several mosques, most prominently Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, and he was among the most renowned khatibs of Masjid Namirah in Arafat, where he addressed the Hujjaj during Hajj with sermons that resonated across the Islamic world.

‎His scholarly journey was crowned with key positions:

‎•Member of the Council of Senior Scholars (from 1407 AH / 1987 CE).

‎•Deputy Grand Mufti (from 1416 AH / 1995 CE).

‎•Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, President of Scholarly Research and Ifta, and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars (from 1420 AH / 1999 CE).

‎Throughout his tenure, he became a trusted voice of guidance for millions, issuing fatwas on creed, worship, and contemporary issues through platforms such as the famous program Nur ʿala al-Darb. His published works include The Book of Allah and Its Great Status, The Reality of the Testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, The Compendium of Arafat Sermons, alongside numerous collections of fatwas on belief, purification, prayer, fasting, zakat, and Hajj.

‎Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh’s voice echoed from the pulpits of Arafat, guiding millions of pilgrims with words of admonition and faith. His lifelong dedication to teaching, issuing fatwas, and serving Islam remains a legacy remembered not only in the Kingdom but across the Ummah.

‎May Allah envelop him in His vast mercy, accept his deeds, elevate his ranks in Jannah, and reward him for his lifelong service to Islam and the Muslims.

‎إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون