RIYADH – King Salman bin Abdulaziz has appointed Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid as the new Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. He will also serve as Chairman of the Senior Council of Scholars, following the passing of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, who died at the age of 82 on Tuesday.
Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid is recognized as one of the most respected Islamic scholars in the Muslim world. He has served as Imam and Khateeb of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah for more than four decades. He is also known for delivering the annual Hajj sermon at Masjid Namira in Arafat, a role that earned him wide recognition.
Alongside his religious leadership, he has played an active role in governance. Since 1993, he has been a member of the Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council) and even served as its Speaker during his career.
Academic and professional background
Born in 1949 in Buraidah, Qassim Province, Sheikh Saleh memorized the Qur’an at an early age. He later pursued higher education at Umm al-Qura University, where he obtained a Ph.D. in Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh.
Throughout his career, Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid has held significant positions, including Vice President and General President for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Chairman of the Shura Council, and Advisor to the Royal Court. He was also the first Imam of Masjid al-Haram to hold a doctoral degree when appointed in 1984.
Contributions to Islamic scholarship
Sheikh Saleh has written extensively on Islamic jurisprudence, family life, and modern issues. His well-known works include Raf’ al-Haraj fi al-Shari’ah al-Islamiyyah (Lifting Hardship in Islamic Law), The Happy Family, and Comprehensive Jurisprudence for Contemporary Issues.
His scholarship earned him the prestigious King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam in 2016.
As Grand Mufti, Sheikh Saleh will lead the Senior Council of Scholars and the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research. He will oversee the issuance of fatwas and guide religious discourse in the Kingdom, at a time of both tradition and reform.
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