Sheikh Saleh ibn Fawzan ibn Abdullah al-Fawzan

Sheikh Saleh ibn Fawzan ibn Abdullah al-Fawzan was born in 1354 AH (approximately 1933 CE) in the village of al-Shamasyah in the al-Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his extended family and received his early education at the village school, where he learned reading, writing, arithmetic, and began his قرآنic memorization. He completed his primary and secondary education at the Faisal ibn Turki School in Buraydah, before pursuing higher education at the Faculty of Shariah at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, where he graduated in 1381 AH (1961 CE). He then obtained his Master's degree and Doctorate from the same institution, with his doctoral thesis focusing on Islamic jurisprudence.

After completing his education, Sheikh al-Fawzan embarked on an extensive career in both academia and religious administration. He served as a professor at the Faculty of Shariah in Riyadh, teaching courses in fiqh, usul al-fiqh, and comparative jurisprudence. His lectures were characterized by their systematic organization, clear presentation, and practical applicability — qualities that would later define his written works. He rose through the academic ranks to become a senior professor and continued teaching well into his later years, mentoring countless students who now serve in scholarly and judicial positions across the Muslim world.

Beyond academia, Sheikh al-Fawzan has held numerous distinguished positions in Saudi Arabia's religious establishment. He is a member of the Council of Senior Scholars (Hay'at Kibar al-Ulama), the highest religious advisory body in the Kingdom. He serves on the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta, where he has contributed to thousands of fatwa rulings. He is also a member of the Islamic Fiqh Academy (Majma' al-Fiqh al-Islami). His media presence has been particularly impactful: he has presented regular programs on Saudi state television and radio for decades, answering questions from viewers and listeners on all aspects of Islamic practice, including extensive حج-related programming during the حج season. His program 'Al-Fatwa al-Mubashirah' (Live Fatwa) became one of the most-watched religious programs in the Arabic-speaking world, providing accessible scholarly guidance to millions who might never have the opportunity to consult a scholar directly. His contributions to حج scholarship are especially valued for their clarity and accessibility. He has consistently emphasized making Islamic rulings understandable to the common Muslim, translating complex jurisprudential discussions into practical, actionable guidance that حجاج can follow with confidence.