Key Takeaways:
- Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan appointed Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia
- Will chair Council of Senior Scholars and lead Fatwa authority
- Brings decades of scholarly and teaching experience
King Salman bin Abdulaziz has issued a royal decree appointing Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan as the new Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia.
The appointment, announced Wednesday, positions the renowned scholar as Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and General President of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Fatwa, with ministerial rank.
Royal Decree No. A/111 dated 30 Rabi’ al-Thani 1447 AH names Sheikh Al-Fawzan to the kingdom’s highest religious authority position.
The decree followed recommendations from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and references existing governance laws and previous royal decrees governing senior appointments.
About Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan
Positions:
- Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia
- President of the Council of Senior Scholars
- President of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta (by Royal Decree).
Born:
- 1354 AH / 1935 CE.
Education:
- Primary school in Al-Shamasiyah (1369 AH / 1950 CE) and Buraidah (completed 1371 AH / 1952 CE).
- Scientific Institute in Buraidah (opened 1373 AH / 1954 CE).
- College of Sharia in Riyadh (graduated 1381 AH / 1961 CE).
- Obtained Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Fiqh.
Career Highlights:
- Member of the Fiqh Academy in Makkah.
- Teacher/Director at the Higher Judicial Institute.
- Imam/Preacher at Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Mosque in Riyadh.
- Member of the Permanent Committee for Ifta and Scholarly Research.
- Member of the Supervisory Committee for Preachers during Hajj.
Sheikh Al-Fawzan brings extensive academic and religious credentials to the position. Born in 1354 AH (1935 CE) in Ash-Shamāsiyyah, Al-Qassim region, he completed his education at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, earning bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in Islamic jurisprudence.
His doctoral research focused on Islamic dietary laws, while his master’s thesis addressed inheritance regulations.
The scholar studied under prominent teachers including Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamid and later Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz.
His professional career includes teaching at Riyadh’s Institute of Knowledge, serving as director of the Higher Institute of Judiciary, and decades as imam and khateeb at Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Mosque in Riyadh.
Sheikh Al-Fawzan gained international recognition through his long-running participation in the “Noor ala al-Darb” radio program, where his religious explanations reached millions worldwide.
His published works, including “Al-Irshad ila Saheeh al-I’tiqad” and the four-volume “Al-Khutab al-Minbariyyah,” serve as standard references for Islamic students and scholars.
The appointment places Sheikh Al-Fawzan at the helm of Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment, overseeing fatwa issuance and scholarly research.
His methodology follows the Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah tradition, emphasizing evidence-based rulings and balanced scholarship.
Successsion
The decision comes following the passing of former Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh on September 23, 2025.
Statement from The General Presidency
Al-Sudais, head of Two Holy Mosques Religious Affairs, congratulated Sheikh Dr. Saleh Al-Fawzan on his own behalf and all mosque staff.
Al-Sudais commended Sheikh Al-Fawzan’s deep expertise, balanced views, and scholarly work that advanced Islamic jurisprudence across the Kingdom and worldwide.
Al-Sudais closed praying Allah help Al-Fawzan succeed in new duties, serve religion/nation/leadership, and keep Kingdom secure and stable for Muslims.
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