Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz Al Sheikh Passes Away

Mohammad bin Abdullah

September 23, 2025

Senior scholar served as Hajj preacher for 36 years and led the Kingdom’s religious establishment for decades.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh

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Key Takeaways

Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh died on September 23, 2025.
Served as Grand Mufti since 1999 and delivered Hajj sermon for 36 consecutive years.
Led Council of Senior Religious Scholars and Permanent Committee for Fatwas.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and head of the Council of Senior Religious Scholars, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 82.

The senior Islamic scholar had served as the Kingdom’s highest religious authority since his appointment in 1999 following the death of his predecessor, Sheikh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz.

Born on November 30, 1940, Sheikh Al-Sheikh was best known for his role as the official preacher for Hajj ceremonies from 1402H to 1436H (approximately 1981-2015), delivering the annual Hajj sermon at Masjid Namirah in Arafat for 36 consecutive years.

His sermons reached millions of pilgrims during his tenure, establishing him as a central figure in modern Islamic scholarship.

As Grand Mufti, he presided over the Council of Senior Religious Scholars and its Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Issuing Fatwas, shaping religious discourse throughout the Muslim world.

His leadership spanned a period of significant global change, during which he maintained the Kingdom’s traditional scholarly traditions while addressing contemporary challenges.

The passing of Sheikh Al-Sheikh marks the end of an era in Saudi religious leadership, particularly noted for his unwavering commitment to Islamic scholarship and guidance.

Funeral

Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh’s funeral prayer set for Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh following Asr today.

Absentee funeral prayers will be held at Mecca’s Grand Mosque (Masjid al Haram), Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an Nabawi) in Medina, and mosques across Kingdom after Asr today, Tuesday 23 Sept 2025.

Worshipers hold absentee funeral prayer for Sheikh Abdul Aziz at Quba Mosque after Asr Tuesday.

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Mohammad bin Abdullah

A mass communication graduate from Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco. He currently resides in the UK, where he is pursuing a degree in Islamic studies. He works for The Islamic Information as a news writer.