Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia dies at age 82

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and Head of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, passed away in Riyadh on Tuesday morning, the Royal Court announced in a statement.

He was 82. The Royal Court confirmed that funeral prayers will take place today at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh after Asr. King Salman bin Abdulaziz has also directed that Salat al-Ghaib, funeral prayers in absentia, be offered at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and mosques across the Kingdom.

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh was serving as Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and head of the General Presidency of Islamic Research and Ifta. He was the Kingdom’s third Grand Mufti, following Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Shaikh and Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz.

Born in Mecca in 1943, he memorized the Quran at an early age. Despite losing his father in childhood and his eyesight in early adulthood, he dedicated his life to Islamic learning. He became a well-known preacher, delivering sermons at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque and the Nimrah Mosque during Hajj.

Over his career, Sheikh Abdulaziz authored many works on Islamic jurisprudence, faith, and rulings on lawful and prohibited matters. His fatwas and scholarly writings served as a guiding reference for Muslims across the world. The Royal Court described his death as a huge loss for Saudi Arabia and the wider Islamic community. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their condolences to his family, the Saudi people, and Muslims worldwide. Sheikh Abdulaziz leaves behind a legacy of knowledge, guidance, and service to Islam that will continue to inspire future generations.