The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Al al-Sheikh, has passed away at the age of 84. The Saudi News Agency confirmed the news this morning. The funeral prayer is scheduled to take place at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh later today.
The nation is mourning the loss of its esteemed religious figure, with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz ordering a special prayer in his honor at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and all mosques throughout the Kingdom. The Crown Prince has also offered his condolences.
In addition to his role as the Grand Mufti, Abdulaziz Al Sheikh held the position of Chairman of the General Presidency of Islamic Research and Ifta, with ministerial rank. He was also the Head of the Council of Senior Scholars. Descending from the Al ash-Sheikh family, he took over leadership at the Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Mosque in Dukhna, Riyadh in 1970, later becoming an assistant professor at the College of Sharia in Mecca.
Abdulaziz Al Sheikh was the third Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, succeeding Muhammad Bin Ibrahim Al al-Sheikh and Abdulaziz Bin Baz. A decade ago, he issued a ruling declaring chess impermissible in Islam due to its association with gambling and fostering animosity among players.
Despite facing adversity early in life after losing his father in 1951 when he was just a child and later losing his eyesight in his twenties, Sheikh Al Sheikh persevered in his Sharia studies. Over time, he gained recognition as a prominent member of academic councils at various universities.
