The death of the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh: The loss of a prominent scholar in the Islamic world
The Saudi Royal Court issued a statement today (Tuesday) announcing the death of His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, President of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta, and Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League. According to the statement, he passed away this morning, the first of Rabi' al-Thani, 1447 AH.
Burial and prayer procedures
The statement clarified that the funeral prayer for the deceased will be held at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in the capital, Riyadh, after the Asr prayer. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz – may God protect him – also directed that the absentee funeral prayer be held for the deceased at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, in addition to all mosques in the Kingdom after the Asr prayer.
Scientific and religious contributions
The death of Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh is a scholarly and religious loss for the Kingdom and the Muslim world. His Eminence made significant contributions to the advancement of Islamic sciences, the promotion of understanding of Islam, and the oversight of official fatwas in the Kingdom. He also played a leading role in guiding religious bodies and regulating jurisprudential work through his positions in the Council of Senior Scholars and the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta.
As Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League, the deceased contributed to promoting religious dialogue between the Kingdom and other Islamic countries, reflecting the Saudi role in supporting religious stability and cultural cooperation at the regional and international levels.
Official reactions
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect him – and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – may God protect them – offered their condolences to the family of the deceased, the Saudi people, and the Islamic world, wishing the deceased mercy and forgiveness, and stressing the importance of continuing to serve religion and science in accordance with the legitimate directives that he established during his career.
This statement comes in the context of affirming the official appreciation for the scientific and religious contribution of the deceased, and highlighting the institutional role of the Kingdom in supporting scientific and jurisprudential bodies, reflecting the balance between religious traditions and modern developments in Saudi society and the Islamic world.
The Kingdom's role in promoting religious and scientific work
The death of the Grand Mufti serves as a reminder of the Kingdom's role in regulating religious affairs, developing Islamic jurisprudence, and supporting religious scholarship. These events underscore Saudi Arabia's continued commitment to maintaining a balance between Islamic traditions and active participation in international religious affairs, thus enabling the Kingdom to assume a leading position in the Muslim world.
This event also reflects the importance of religious bodies in the Kingdom, and their role in promoting societal stability and guiding advocacy and educational work in line with the state’s strategic vision towards developing a religiously and culturally aware and balanced society.
