The Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held its ninety-eighth session at the headquarters of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta in Riyadh, chaired by His Eminence the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, and attended by Their Eminences the members of the Council and the Secretary-General. This session comes within the framework of the Council's ongoing efforts to keep abreast of jurisprudential developments and to provide Sharia-compliant perspectives that serve the Muslim community and enhance the stability of the nation.
The role of the Council of Senior Scholars and its Islamic standing
The Council of Senior Scholars is the highest religious authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was established to study emerging issues and provide legal opinions on them. Its meetings are of paramount importance not only locally, but also regionally and internationally, given the Kingdom's status as the Qibla of Muslims and the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The Council operates according to a sound scholarly methodology aimed at grounding Islamic rulings in a way that fulfills the objectives of Sharia in preserving religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property, thereby strengthening intellectual and social security.
Praise for leadership support and vision for the future
In his opening remarks, His Eminence the Grand Mufti acknowledged the generous and substantial support the Commission receives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He affirmed that this support has enabled the Commission to fulfill its noble mission of thoroughly and meticulously studying all matters referred to it and issuing appropriate Sharia rulings, reflecting the wise leadership's commitment to upholding Islamic law in all aspects of life.
The Kingdom... Strength comes from God and then from the efforts of its sons
His Eminence emphasized the great blessings that God has bestowed upon this blessed land, foremost among them the blessing of monotheism, unity, and solidarity under the leadership of the rulers. He pointed to the great honor bestowed upon the Kingdom, both its leadership and its people, in serving the Sacred House of God and the Prophet's Mosque, and in facilitating the performance of rituals for pilgrims and Umrah performers with ease and tranquility. He added, "This nation is strong and proud, its strength lying in God and in the efforts of its people. The growth, prosperity, and stability we witness are the fruits of adherence to the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Prophet.".
Work methodology and advisory committees
For his part, His Excellency the Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Fahd Saad Al-Majed, explained that the agenda for the 98th session is packed with important topics referred by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Ministry of Interior, and the Permanent Committee for Fatwas. He further stated that preparations for these sessions are conducted according to a precise institutional mechanism that begins immediately after the conclusion of the previous session. This involves forming advisory committees comprised of a select group of specialists and distinguished experts to present thorough studies and research, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the topics under discussion.
A touch of loyalty and prayer
At the conclusion of the opening session, the attendees prayed for the soul of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, asking God to have mercy on him and elevate his status among the guided ones, recalling his achievements and what he offered to serve religion and the nation, and that God may gather everyone with him in the Gardens of Bliss, in a scene that embodies the values of loyalty and cohesion among the scholars of the Kingdom.
