Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, has died at the age of 82, the Royal Court announced.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz ordered that Salat al-Ghaib — funeral prayers in absentia be held for Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and in mosques across the Kingdom after the Asr prayer.
Funeral prayers will also take place at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.
Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh served as Grand Mufti, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and head of the General Presidency of Islamic Research and Ifta, holding ministerial rank.
He was the third Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, following Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Shaikh and Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz.
Born in Mecca on November 30, 1943, Sheikh Al Sheikh memorized the Qur’an at a young age, lost his father early, and was orphaned by age eight.
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He later lost his sight in his twenties but continued his religious studies, becoming a preacher at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh and later delivering sermons at the Nimrah Mosque.
He authored numerous works on Islamic jurisprudence, including fatwa collections, writings on doctrine, and books on lawful (Halal) and prohibited (Haram) matters.
His passing marks the end of a significant era in Saudi Arabia’s religious leadership.
