ALKHOBAR: Saudi Arabia is mourning the death of Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh, the Kingdom’s Grand Mufti and head of the Council of Senior Scholars, who passed away on Sept. 23, the Royal Court confirmed.
Sheikh Al-Sheikh was appointed Grand Mufti in 1999, succeeding Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz.
He served as the Kingdom’s highest religious authority for more than two decades, interpreting Sharia law, issuing fatwas on matters ranging from legal cases to social issues, and guiding public religious life.
He also served as the chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, the president of the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta, and the chairman of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League.
Funeral prayers for Al-Asheikh are scheduled to take place at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh after Asr prayer. The government has ordered absentee prayers to be performed in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and across mosques in all regions of the Kingdom.
The Muslim World League has also called upon its Islamic centers and mosques worldwide to perform the absentee funeral prayer for the late Grand Mufti, praising his service to Islam and asking Allah to grant him the highest place in paradise.
Abdulaziz Alluhyadan, an imam at a mosque in Riyadh, told Arab News Al-Asheikh was “one of the leading scholars of the Ummah (Muslim community) who embodied moderation and balance, sharing his knowledge in ways that benefited people in their faith and daily lives.”
“He combined deep mastery of Islamic sciences with clarity of thought and eloquence, becoming a trusted reference for students of knowledge and a pillar society turned to in times of major events,” he said.
Alluhyadan added that the Grand Mufti’s fatwas formed a “rich encyclopedia covering creed, jurisprudence, transactions and contemporary issues, reflecting his broad vision and dedication to the welfare of the Ummah.”
He said: “His impact went beyond fatwa, planting values of unity and affirming the centrality of Sharia in all aspects of life. His scholarly and practical journey will remain a bright page in the history of Saudi scholarship, and his legacy will continue to bear witness to a life devoted to serving religion, country, and the Muslim community.”
Abdullah Ahmed, a Saudi legal professional with a bachelor’s degree in Sharia and a master’s degree in law, reflected on how deeply Al-Asheikh’s work had shaped religious scholarship.
“(He) was a fundamental reference for students of Islamic knowledge across various branches of Sharia sciences. He left behind a tremendous scholarly legacy,” he said.
“He was among the most prominent scholars in issuing religious edicts on matters of creed, jurisprudence and a wide range of issues. His fatwas were a constant reference for my research and studies.”
Ahmed added: “Personally, I benefited greatly from his rulings, especially those related to contemporary financial transactions and their application in the Saudi legal system, which is rooted in the principles of Islamic Sharia.”
Raghad Al-Howriny, a Sharia scholar, said the Grand Mufti “spent his life between the prayer niche of knowledge, the pulpit of preaching, and the councils of fatwa. He left behind a fragrant legacy and a scholarly heritage that will remain a testament to his bright impact on the life of the Ummah.
“Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh was a beacon of guidance and a symbol of steadfastness on the truth. He never compromised on matters of faith and spent his life serving Sharia and spreading the correct creed.”
Al-Howriny added the Grand Mufti was known for his humility and closeness to the people: “He listened to their questions and guided them with wisdom and gentle advice. He was the first reference for fatwa, and Muslims turned to him for matters big and small.
“Even after his passing, his knowledge remains through his books and fatwas, and through his students who continue to carry his teachings. This is the life of true scholars — their bodies depart, but their influence endures.”
The Grand Mufti’s death marks the end of an era for Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment. His leadership helped bridge traditional scholarship with the needs of a modern state and he shaped fatwas that addressed evolving legal and financial matters while staying rooted in Sharia principles.
His legacy is a testament to decades of service, learning and counsel that will continue to shape the Kingdom’s religious and legal landscape for years to come.
