As the Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh has the highest position of religious authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is an Islamic scholar based in Makkah and has influence as a leading cleric of the expansive global movement of Salafi Muslims.
Birth: 30 November 1943 (Age: 80)
Source of Influence: Preachers & Spiritual Guides, Scholarly
Influence: Grand Mufti of Saudi and the global network of Salafis
School of Thought: Salafi
Status: Featured in current year
As the Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz ibn AbÂdullah Aal Al-Sheikh has the highest position of religious authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is an Islamic scholar based in MakÂkah and has influence as a leading cleric of the expansive global movement of Salafi Muslims.
Salafi Lineage:Â The Aal Al-Sheikh family in Saudi Arabia traditionally controls the religious and justice establishments. They are descended from MuhamÂmad ibn Abdul Wahhab (1703â1792), the founder of Wahhabi and Salafi thought, and for 250 years have been closely associated and intermarried with the ruling Al-Saud family.
Head of Sunni Jurisprudential Committees: Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh is chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, a scientific consultative commission composed of leading Sunni specialist scholars of Sharia (Islamic law). He is recognised for his influence in enforcing a distinct view of Islamic tradition. He has publicly criticised Muslim televanÂgelists who encourage Muslims to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. He has also been robust in his conÂdemnation of Turkish soap operas sweeping the Arab World, calling them distracting practices.
Central Figure of Global Salafi Movement: As Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Al-Sheikh is the leading religious figure of the Saudi-based network of Salafi Muslims. The rulings derived by Al-Sheikh are based heavily on a literal reading of the Qurâan and emphasise the need to strip away past interpretations that have become a part of Muslimsâ lives. The movement he leads is characterised by an authoritative stance on Islamic religious practice. He has described daâish as âevilâ and called them âthe number one enemy of Islamâ. In 2017, he received praise from an Israeli minister for labelling Hamas a terrorist organisation.