PM Modi condoles death of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed condolences on the death of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh, who passed away at the age of 82.

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote:
“Deepest condolences on the sad demise of the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kingdom and its people in this moment of grief.”

Sheikh Abdulaziz served as Saudi Arabia’s highest religious authority for more than two decades, making significant contributions to Islamic scholarship and guiding the country’s religious affairs. His passing marks the end of an era for the Kingdom and the wider Muslim world.

Funeral Prayers and Tributes

The Saudi Royal Court confirmed his death on Tuesday and announced that funeral prayers would be held at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh after Asr prayers. Additionally, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered funeral prayers in absentia at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and mosques across the Kingdom.

Saudi leaders, including King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, extended condolences to Sheikh Al-Sheikh’s family, the Saudi people, and Muslims worldwide. The Royal Court described him as a “distinguished scholar whose passing is a profound loss for Islam and Muslims.”

Who was Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh?

• Born: November 30, 1940, in Mecca
• Lineage: A descendant of the revered Al ash-Sheikh family, closely linked with Islamic scholarship and the teachings of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab.
• Education: Memorised the Quran at a young age and pursued Islamic jurisprudence under eminent scholars.
• Career: Served as a professor at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud University, where he mentored students in Islamic law and theology.
• Appointment: Became Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia in 1999, succeeding Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Baz.
• Leadership Roles:
  • Head of the Council of Senior Scholars
  • Head of the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta
  • Member of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League

His Legacy

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh played a pivotal role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s religious framework during a period of modernization and change. Known for his scholarly depth in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and his influence on religious rulings, he provided guidance on issues affecting not only Saudi society but also the broader Islamic world.

For over 25 years, he represented the face of Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment, balancing tradition with the challenges of a rapidly evolving society. His contributions leave behind a strong religious legacy that continues to influence Islamic thought globally.