Grand Mufti Shaykh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh: Life, Scholarship, and Service to the Muslim Ummah
Shaykh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh (1362 AH / 1943 CE – 1447 AH / 2025 CE) was the 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝗳𝘁𝗶 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 of the Council of Senior Scholars, and 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 of the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta.
He was one of the most prominent scholars of the contemporary Islamic world and served the Ummah with dedication for decades. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He was born on 3 Dhul-Hijjah 1362 AH ( 𝟑𝟎 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟑 CE) in 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗸𝗮𝗵 𝗮𝗹-𝗠𝘂𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗵. He lost his father at the age of eight and grew up as an orphan. In his early years, he memorized the Holy Qur’an under Shaykh Muhammad bin Sinan and later studied Islamic sciences under the former Grand Mufti Shaykh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh. Despite losing his eyesight in his twenties, he continued his pursuit of knowledge with strong determination.
Shaykh Abdulaziz studied under many senior scholars, including 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘆𝗸𝗵 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗶𝘇 𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘇, 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘆𝗸𝗵 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗶𝘇 𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗵 𝗔𝗹-𝗠𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘆𝗸𝗵 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗶𝘇 𝗔𝗹-𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶. He graduated from the College of Sharia at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh in 1384 AH (1965 CE), specializing in Arabic language and Islamic sciences.
He began his professional career as a teacher at Imam al-Da’wah Institute in Riyadh. Later, he served as a professor at the College of Sharia and the Higher Institute of Judiciary. He also supervised postgraduate research at Imam Muhammad bin Saud University and Umm al-Qura University, contributing to the academic development of many students and scholars.
As a preacher and khatib, Shaykh Abdulaziz delivered sermons at several mosques, most notably 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗸𝗶 𝗯𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗲 in Riyadh. He was also widely known for delivering the Hajj sermons at Masjid Namirah in Arafat, where millions of pilgrims benefited from his guidance.
His major official appointments included becoming a member of the Council of Senior Scholars in 1407 AH (1987 CE), Deputy Grand Mufti in 1416 AH (1995 CE), and finally the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia in 1420 AH (1999 CE), succeeding Shaykh Abdulaziz bin Baz رحمه الله.
Throughout his life, he played a vital role in issuing fatwas and guiding Muslims through programs such as Nur ‘ala al-Darb. He authored several important works, including The Book of Allah and Its Great Status, The Reality of the Testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and The Collection of Arafat Sermons, along with many compilations of fatwas related to worship and Islamic law.
Shaykh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh passed away on 1 Rabiʿ al-Thani 1447 AH (23 September 2025 CE). He left behind a lasting legacy of knowledge, leadership, and service to Islam and the Muslim Ummah.
May Allah grant him mercy, forgive his shortcomings, elevate his rank in Jannah, and reward him abundantly for his lifelong service to the religion. Ameen
Writer : Dr Abdul Lateef Alkindi ( Writer is President of Jamiat e Ahlihadees Of J&K )
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