Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Abdul Latif Aal ash-Sheikh

Sheikh Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah Aal ash-Sheikh was born in Riyadh in 1943 CE (1362 AH) into the Al ash-Sheikh family. Like his predecessor Muhammad ibn Ibrahim and his immediate predecessor ابن باز, he lost his eyesight at a young age — a remarkable parallel among three holders of المملكة العربية السعودية's highest religious office. He studied under several leading scholars including Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim (the first Grand Mufti) and الشيخ ابن باز.

He held several educational and judicial positions before being appointed as the Grand Mufti of المملكة العربية السعودية in 1999, succeeding الشيخ ابن باز. In this role, he heads the Council of Senior Scholars — the highest religious advisory body in the Kingdom — and chairs the اللجنة الدائمة for Scholarly Research and Ifta, which issues official religious rulings. His tenure has coincided with a period of significant social and religious transformation in المملكة العربية السعودية, including the Vision 2030 modernization program.

As Grand Mufti, he delivers the الحج sermon from the مسجد at Namira in عرفة during the Day of عرفة — one of the most important religious addresses in the Islamic world, broadcast to billions globally. His annual الحج guidance addresses contemporary الحج challenges and provides religious direction for the millions performing the الحج. He continues to serve in this capacity, providing religious leadership at a time of significant change in the Muslim world.