Salih al-Fawzan (Saudi Islamic Scholar) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Islamic Scholar
Nationality	Saudi
Date of Birth	28/09/1935
Age	90 years
Birthplace	Ash-Shamsiyyah, Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia

Latest News about Salih al-Fawzan

22/10/2025

Salih al-Fawzan was appointed as the fourth Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia by King Salman bin Abdulaziz on the recommendation of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. He succeeded Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh in this position, which is considered the highest religious authority in Saudi Arabia and one of the most influential positions in the Sunni Muslim world.

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Bio/Wiki

Other Names	Saleh al-Fawzan Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan Sheikh Salih al-Fawzan Salih bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan
Known For	Being appointed as the fourth Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia in October 2025 and being a senior scholar within the Salafi movement

Physical Stats & More

Height	5' 11" (180 cm)
Eye Color	Lavender Grey
Hair Color	Grey

Educational Qualification(s)

High School

Al-Faysaliyyah School, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia (1952)
Ma‘had Al-‘Ilmi (The Institute of Knowledge) Buraydah (1954-1958)

College/University

Name	Kulliyat Ash-Shari'ah (The College of Shari'ah), Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh
Degree	Master's degree in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) with a specialization in Inheritance Law PhD in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) Bachelor's degree in Shari'ah (1961)

Personal Life

Marital Status	Married
Religion	Islam
Denomination	Sunni
Creed	Athari
Movement	Salafi
Food Habit	Non-vegetarian

Relationships & More

Father	Fawzan Bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan (deceased)

Career

Highlights	Salih al-Fawzan began his formal education in Ash-Shamasiyyah and has deep roots in Islamic scholarship. He studied under prominent scholars, including Sheikh Abdulaziz ibn Baz, gaining vast knowledge in Islamic jurisprudence. Salih's career has spanned teaching at various educational institutes, leading to his evolution as a respected authority in Islamic law. He has held prestigious positions such as the Director of the Higher Institute of Judiciary and the Head of Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court of Justice. In 2013, he became a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, which advises the King on religious matters. Following this, he was appointed Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia in October 2025, succeeding Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh. He studied under prominent scholars, including Sheikh Hamud ibn Sulayman Al-Talal, gaining vast knowledge in Islamic jurisprudence. After graduating from the College of Shari'ah in 1961, he was appointed as a teacher at the Ma'had Al-'Ilmi (Institute of Knowledge) in Riyadh. He subsequently taught at Kulliyat Ash-Shari'ah (The College of Sharia), then transferred to teach in the postgraduate program at Kulliyat Uṣūl Ad-Dīn (College of Fundamentals of Religion). He taught at the Ma'had Al-'Ālī lil-Qaḍā (Higher Institute of Judiciary) and was later appointed as its director. In 2013, he became a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Saudi Arabia's highest religious body, which directly advises the King. He is a member of the Fiqh Council in Mecca, affiliated with the Muslim World League, and of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta since 1992. He serves as an Imam, preacher, and teacher at Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Aal Saud Mosque in Riyadh. He participates in answering questions on the radio program 'Noor Ala Ad-Darb' (Light on the Path) and has regular contributions to academic journals. On 22 October 2025, under recommendation by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, King Salman appointed al-Fawzan as the fourth Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, succeeding Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh.

Highlights

Salih al-Fawzan began his formal education in Ash-Shamasiyyah and has deep roots in Islamic scholarship.
He studied under prominent scholars, including Sheikh Abdulaziz ibn Baz, gaining vast knowledge in Islamic jurisprudence.
Salih's career has spanned teaching at various educational institutes, leading to his evolution as a respected authority in Islamic law.
He has held prestigious positions such as the Director of the Higher Institute of Judiciary and the Head of Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court of Justice.
In 2013, he became a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, which advises the King on religious matters.
Following this, he was appointed Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia in October 2025, succeeding Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh.
He studied under prominent scholars, including Sheikh Hamud ibn Sulayman Al-Talal, gaining vast knowledge in Islamic jurisprudence.
After graduating from the College of Shari'ah in 1961, he was appointed as a teacher at the Ma'had Al-'Ilmi (Institute of Knowledge) in Riyadh.
He subsequently taught at Kulliyat Ash-Shari'ah (The College of Sharia), then transferred to teach in the postgraduate program at Kulliyat Uṣūl Ad-Dīn (College of Fundamentals of Religion).
He taught at the Ma'had Al-'Ālī lil-Qaḍā (Higher Institute of Judiciary) and was later appointed as its director.
In 2013, he became a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Saudi Arabia's highest religious body, which directly advises the King.
He is a member of the Fiqh Council in Mecca, affiliated with the Muslim World League, and of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta since 1992.
He serves as an Imam, preacher, and teacher at Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Aal Saud Mosque in Riyadh.
He participates in answering questions on the radio program 'Noor Ala Ad-Darb' (Light on the Path) and has regular contributions to academic journals.
On 22 October 2025, under recommendation by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, King Salman appointed al-Fawzan as the fourth Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, succeeding Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh.

Social Media

Official Website	https://alfawzan.af.org.sa/ar

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. As a child, Salih al-Fawzan memorized the Qur'an and learned to read and write under the guidance of community leaders.
2. His early education marked the beginning of a long journey of scholarly pursuit in Islamic teachings.
3. In addition to his teaching role, he has actively contributed to various Islamic institutions and councils affecting jurisprudential discourse.
4. Salih has monitored and supervised numerous academic research theses, aiding in the development of future scholars.
5. He has faced controversies, particularly regarding his stances on marriage and sectarian remarks.
6. His father died when he was young, and he was brought up by his family.
7. He briefly worked as a primary school teacher before pursuing higher education.
8. He was one of the first students to enroll in the Scholarly Institute in Buraydah when it opened in 1954.
9. His fatwas and Islamic legal rulings are widely circulated through social media and other platforms.
10. He is regarded as one of the senior scholars within the Salafi movement.

Salih al-Fawzan Islamic Scholar Saudi Ash-Shamsiyyah, Al-Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia