The appointment of Saleh Al-Fawzan as Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was issued by royal decree. The decree named Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan as Grand Mufti of the Kingdom , Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and President of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta, with the rank of Minister. The decision was based on a recommendation from His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister. Al-Fawzan becomes the fourth Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, following Sheikhs Muhammad bin Ibrahim, Abdulaziz bin Baz, and Abdulaziz Al Sheikh – may God have mercy on them.
A well-established scientific career and early beginnings
Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan was born in the town of Al-Shamasiya, south of Al-Qassim, in 1354 AH . He memorized the Quran and learned the basics of reading and writing from the imam of the town's mosque. He enrolled in the Scientific Institute in Buraydah and graduated in 1377 AH . He then earned a bachelor's degree in Sharia from Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in 1381 AH . He continued his postgraduate studies, obtaining a master's degree in Fiqh entitled "Satisfactory Investigations in the Obligatory Matters," followed by a doctorate in Fiqh with a thesis entitled "Rulings on Food in Islamic Law."
A gradual career path in education and Sharia law
Sheikh Al-Fawzan worked as a primary school teacher, then joined the scientific institutes. After graduating from university, he taught at the Scientific Institute in Riyadh for two years, then transferred to teach at the College of Sharia , and later at the College of Fundamentals of Religion . He also took over the management of the Higher Institute for the Judiciary , and later worked as a teacher there, which enhanced his academic and organizational experience simultaneously.
Scientific and methodological praise
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen praised him for his jurisprudence and legal opinions, and historians considered him an exemplary scholar and one of the most prominent adherents of the Salafi methodology. These accolades reflect his scholarly standing and the soundness of his approach to establishing legal principles and issuing fatwas.
Extensive memberships and participation
Al-Fawzan was a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and the Islamic Jurisprudence Academy in Mecca . He participated in numerous conferences both domestically and internationally, taught in mosques, and delivered lectures at various institutions. He is also a member of the committee overseeing preachers in Islamic awareness programs during the Hajj season, highlighting his scholarly and practical contributions.
Prominent works in jurisprudence and theology
Sheikh Al-Fawzan has a diverse body of scholarly work, most notably his books: “ Rulings on Food in Islamic Law ,” “ Satisfactory Investigations in the Obligatory Topics ,” “ Investing Zakat Funds ,” “ Cosmetic Surgery: A Medical Presentation and a Detailed Jurisprudential Study ,” “ Spending Zakat on Calling to God: A Fundamental and Applied Study ,” “ Guidance to Correct Belief ,” “ The Jurisprudential Summary ,” “ Explanation of the Book of Tawhid by Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab,” and “ Clarification of the Mistakes of Some Writers .”
Implications of the decision and its institutional impact
The appointment of Saleh Al-Fawzan as Grand Mufti strengthens the Council of Senior Scholars and the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta . It also reinforces harmony between jurisprudential principles and contemporary needs, and ensures the continuation of an institutional approach to managing fatwa and research files according to well-established scholarly standards.
a summary
The royal decree represents a pivotal moment in the trajectory of the institution of issuing fatwas, as it combines scholarly rigor, an academic background, and organizational experience . As the fourth Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Sheikh Al-Fawzan is expected to contribute to developing the mechanisms of fatwa issuance and enhancing its scholarly presence both locally and globally within a cohesive institutional framework.
