Saleh al-Fawzan | |
|---|---|
صالح الفوزان | |
 Al-Fawzan in 2019 | |
| Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia | |
| Assumed office 22 October 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Abdulaziz Al Sheikh |
| Personal life | |
| Born | (1935-09-28)28 September 1935 (age 90) 1Rajab 1354AH Ash-Shamsiyyah,Al-Qassim Province,Saudi Arabia |
| Citizenship | Saudi Arabia |
| Era | Modern |
| Region | Arabian Peninsula |
| Main interest(s) | Aqidah,Fiqh |
| Alma mater | Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Jurisprudence | Hanbali |
| Creed | Athari |
| Movement | Salafi |
| Muslim leader | |
| Website | https://alfawzan.af.org.sa/ |
Saleh al-Fawzan[a] (born 28 September 1935) is a Saudi Islamic scholar who is the fourth and currentGrand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, serving since 22 October 2025.[1][2][3] He is regarded as one of the seniorscholars within theSalafi movement.[4]
Al-Fawzan is also a member of Saudi Arabia'sCouncil of Senior Scholars and thefiqh council inMecca, affiliated withthe Muslim World League. He also serves as a member of the Supervisory Committee for Preachers duringHajj, and a member of thePermanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta in theSaudi Arabia. In addition to this, he is animam,khatib andteacher at the Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al SaudMosque inRiyadh. He participates in the radio programNūr 'Alā ad-Darb, answering questions on Islamic topics, and contributes to scholarly journals in the form of research, studies, letters, andfatwas.[5][6][7]
Saleh al-Fawzan was born on 28 September 1935 (1354AH)[8][9] in Ash-Shamasiyyah in theAl-Qassim Province of theKingdom of Saudi Arabia, near the city ofBuraydah. He belongs to the Al-Wadain branch of the Al-Shammās clan of theAd-Dawāsir tribe,[1] His father died during his early childhood, and he was raised by his family. He learned theQuran, and received his initial instruction in reading and writing from local mosque'simām, Ḥamūd ibn Sulaymān At-Tilāl,[10] who later served as a judge (Qadi) in the town of Dariyah,Al-Qassim Province of theSaudi Arabia.
Al-Fawzan enrolled in the public school in Ash-Shamasiyyah in 1950 (1369AH). He completed his education at Al-Faysaliyyah School inBuraydah in 1952 (1371AH), and was appointed as aprimary school teacher. He then enrolled at theMa'had Al-'Ilmī (The Institute of Knowledge) inBuraydah when it opened in 1954 (1373AH), and graduated from it in 1958 (1377AH). He joined theKullīyatAsh-Sharīʿah (The College ofSharīʿah) inRiyadh and graduated in 1962 (1381AH).[5]
Al-Fawzan later obtained amaster’s degree infiqh in the field ofinheritance law, with athesis titled:"Al-Taḥqīqāt Al-Marḍiyyah fī Al-Mabāḥith Al-Farḍiyyah"(A Satisfactory investigation into the issues of obligatory Shares in Inheritance). He subssequently obtained adoctorate infiqh from the same college, with adissertation titled:"Aḥkām Al-Aṭʿimah fī Al-Sharīʿah Al-Islāmiyyah"(The Rulings of Foods in theIslamic Sharīʿah).[11]
After completing hisdoctorate, Al-Fawzan was appointed as a teacher at theMa'had Al-'Ilmī (Institute of Knowledge) at theImam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University inRiyadh. He subsequently taught atKullīyatAsh-Sharī'ah (The College ofSharia), then transferred to teach in the postgraduate program atKullīyatUṣūl Ad-Dīn (College ofFundamentals of Religion), then at theMa'had Al-'Ālī lil-Qaḍā (Higher Institute ofJudiciary), where he was later appointed director. He later served as the head ofSaudi Arabia's Supreme Court of Justice before returning to teaching following the conclusion of his tenure.[5]
As of 2013, he was a appointed as a member of theCouncil of Senior Scholars,[6]Saudi Arabia's highest religious body, which directly advises theKing of Saudi Arabia.[12] He is also currently a member of theFiqh council inMecca, which is affiliated withthe Muslim World League, and of thePermanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta,[13] a subcommittee of theCouncil of Senior Scholars responsible for issuing legal opinions(fatwas) inIslamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and preparing research papers for the Council.[14]
Al-Fawzan serves on the Supervisory Committee for Preachers duringHajj and is animam,khatib andteacher at the Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al SaudMosque inRiyadh. He is one of thescholars featured on the Nūr 'Alā ad-Darb radio program, described as one of the oldest and most famous programs broadcast on theQuran radio channel, where senior scholars answer questions and issuefatwas. He also contributes regularly to scholarly journals through research, studies, letters, andfatwas, supervises academic theses at themaster’s anddoctoral levels, and teaches students of Islamic knowledge in ongoing lessons and study circles.[4]
Ibn Baz, the formerGrand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, was among thescholars under whom al-Fawzan studied and by whom he was influenced. Al-Fawzan studied 'Ilm al-Mawārīth (Knowledge of Islamic Inheritance) under Ibn baz atKullīyat Ash-Sharī'ah (College ofSharia) inRiyadh, and regularly attended his lessons, lectures, and scholarly gatherings (halaqa). He also listened to his radio programs on Islamic knowledge andfatwas.[15]
When al-Fawzan began working atDārAl-Iftā' (TheFatwa Office),Ibn Baz served as his supervisor and director. Al-Fawzan later stated that he benefited from Ibn Baz in various aspects of Islamic scholarship, particularly in precision and caution when issuingfatwas, striving for accuracy and correctness, and maintaining patience and perseverance in scholarly work. He also learned from him the importance of grounding legal opinions in evidence from theQuran andSunnah, and of exercising responsibility and restraint in delivering religious rulings.[15]
Al-Fawzan has attracted criticism for a number of public statements and religious opinions. In 2017, he was reported to have referred toShia Muslims as "brothers of Satan" and stated that they "lie about God, his prophet, and the consensus of Muslims," remarks that have been cited an example of sectarian rhetoric among some Saudi clerics.[16][17][18]
In 2003, he was quoted as saying that "slavery is a part ofIslam" and that Muslims denying this are ignorant and not scholars, comments that drew criticism for contradicting contemporary interpretations ofIslamic law. He has also described public demonstrations asharam, characterizing them as practices of non-Muslims that can lead to division and violence.[19][20][21][22]
Al-Fawzan has issued other rulings that have drawn attention, including a 2016 fatwa reportedly prohibiting the mobile gamePokémon Go, which he classified as a form of gambling.[20] He has also been reported to consider photography generally prohibited except when necessary.[23]
In 2023, Saleh al-Fawzan denied reports that he issued a fatwa banning openbuffets, clarifying on his website that he had only commented that food of unspecified quantity should not be sold without specification. His statement addressed restaurants where customers pay a fixed price for unspecified portions.[24]
Supporters of Al-Fawzan argue that his statements reflect traditional jurisprudence and adherence toSalafi teaching while critics contend that his pronouncements promote intolerance and discourage reform.[19]
On 22 October 2025, under recommendation by Crown PrinceMuhammad bin Salman,King Salman appointed al-Fawzan asGrand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, succeedingAbdulaziz Al Sheikh.[3]
| Religious titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Since 2025 | Succeeded by |
