The 500 Most Influential Muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

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HIS EMINENCE SHEIKH
ABDUL AZIZ IBN ABDULLAH AAL AL SHEIKH
Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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 Mecca—the seat of Sunni Islam—
and has influence as a leading cleric of the expansive
global movement of Salafi Muslims.
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 special-
Country: Saudi Arabia
Date of Birth: 1941
Source of Influence: Scholarly,
Administrative
Influence: Grand Mufti to 29
million Saudis and the global
network of Salafi Muslims
School of Thought: Salafi
Rank: 2010:11 · 2009:11
ist scholars of sharia (Islamic law). He has been behind fatwas that call for more rights for
women and children.
Al Sheikh is also chairman of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and fatwas (religious
rulings), a special committee designated for the researching and issuing of religious
rulings on jurisprudence, Hadith, and Aqida (creed) for the Sunni world.
As head of the Presidency for Scientific Research and Religious Edicts (Dar al Ifta), al Sheikh
is often the spokesperson for controversial rulings issued from the Kingdom. He is recognized
for his influence in enforcing a distinct view of Islamic tradition. In 2008, he publicly
criticized Muslim televangelists who encouraged Muslims to celebrate birthdays and
anniversaries—stressing, instead, that only the two occasions of ‘Eid and the weekly Friday
observations are valid occasions to celebrate. In this, and also in his condemnation of Turkish
soap operas sweeping the Arab World, al Sheikh has stressed the importance of eliminating
distracting practices. He is also ardently opposed to the practice of marrying off very young
girls to older men, emphasizing its incongruence with human decency and Islamic tradition.
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. He stresses the importance of adhering to a literal
interpretation of the scripture and following Islam as it was practiced by the early generations
of Muslims. The rulings derived by al Sheikh are based heavily on a literal reading of the
Qur’an and emphasize the need to strip away innovative cultural practices that have become
a part of Muslims’ lives across cultures. The movement he leads is characterized by an authoritative
stance on Islamic religious practice.
Eminent Scholarship
Grand Mufti al Sheikh is recognized as a leading contemporary scholar of Islam. He has leveraged
this influence by openly speaking out against Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda as forces
that push a dangerous ideological terrorism. He spoke for the need for a war—to be fought by
academics, the media, religious leaders and even parents—against deviant thought that leads
overzealous Muslims toward extremism and violence.