By Sumavaya Iqbal 
The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, has passed away at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness. His death was confirmed by Saudi authorities on Tuesday, marking the end of an era in religious scholarship and leadership.
Funeral prayers for the late Grand Mufti will be held at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque following the Asr prayer. In line with royal directives, absentee funeral prayers (Salat al-Gha’ib) will also be offered at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and in mosques across the Kingdom.
Sheikh Abdulaziz served as the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, head of the Council of Senior Scholars, and President of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta. He was the third to hold this esteemed position, succeeding Sheikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh and Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz. His tenure was distinguished by guidance on Islamic jurisprudence and significant scholarly contributions that shaped religious discourse both within Saudi Arabia and across the Muslim world.
Born on November 30, 1943, in Makkah, Sheikh Abdulaziz faced challenges early in life, losing his father before the age of eight. He memorized the Holy Qur’an at a young age and later lost his eyesight in his twenties, yet his commitment to religious learning remained unshaken. Pursuing higher studies in Shariah, he became a respected scholar and went on to deliver sermons as imam and khateeb at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque. He also gave influential khutbahs at Masjid Namirah during Hajj.
Over the decades, Sheikh Abdulaziz authored numerous works addressing faith, jurisprudence, and halal and haram matters. His fatwas and scholarly writings provided guidance on issues impacting daily life for millions of Muslims, cementing his role as a trusted authority in Islamic thought.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended their condolences to the family of the late Grand Mufti, the people of Saudi Arabia, and Muslims worldwide. His passing is being mourned not only in the Kingdom but across the global Muslim community, as believers remember his lifelong service to Islam.