Sheikh Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh was the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a leading voice of the global Salafi movement.

Born in Riyadh on 30 November 1943, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz was a member of the revered Aal Al-Sheikh family, direct descendants of Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, founder of the Wahhabi-Salafi tradition. For over two centuries, the Aal Al-Sheikh lineage has shaped the Kingdom’s religious and judicial institutions, maintaining a close relationship with the ruling Al-Saud family.

Appointed Grand Mufti in 1999, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz served as the Kingdom’s highest religious authority for over two decades. From his seat in Makkah, he became an influential figure in Islamic jurisprudence, guiding millions of adherents worldwide. His rulings emphasised a literal reading of the Qur’an and Sunnah, rejecting what he considered religious innovations, including birthday celebrations and cultural influences such as Turkish soap operas. He also condemned televangelists who encouraged practices outside traditional scholarship.

Sheikh Abdul-Aziz was a vocal critic of extremism, describing DA’ISH as “the number one enemy of Islam.” His 2017 designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation was both praised and criticised across the Muslim world, reflecting his willingness to speak on contentious matters. His tenure coincided with a period of profound change in Saudi Arabia. While clerical influence diminished, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz remained a central figure of religious authority until his passing.