Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan (September 28, 1935 CE – Rajab 1, 1354 AH) is a Saudi jurist (Faqih) and university professor. He is a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, a member of the Islamic Fiqh Academy in Makkah, affiliated with the Muslim World League, and a member of the Supervisory Committee for Preachers during Hajj. In addition, he serves as a member of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is also an Imam, preacher, and teacher at Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Aal Saud Mosque in the Saudi capital, 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 in the form of research, studies, treatises, and fatwas, some of which have been collected and published.
Upbringing and Education
He was born in 1354 AH to the Al-Wadaeen branch of the Ash-Shammas clan of the Dawasir tribe in the town of Ash-Shamasiyah, Qassim region, near the city of Buraidah. His father passed away when he was young, so he was raised by his family. He learned the Holy Quran and the basics of reading and writing from the Imam of the town’s mosque, Shaykh Hammoud bin Suleiman At-Talal, who later became a judge in the town of Dharia in the Qassim region.
He joined the government school when it opened in Ash-Shamasiyah in 1369 AH and completed his primary education at Al-Faisaliyah School in Buraidah in 1371 AH, after which he was appointed as a primary school teacher. He then enrolled in the Scientific Institute in Buraidah upon its opening in 1373 AH, graduating in 1377 AH. He then joined the College of Sharia in Riyadh, graduating in 1381 AH. He subsequently obtained a Master’s degree in Fiqh and then a Doctorate degree from the same college, also specializing in Fiqh.
Career
After graduating from the College of Sharia, he was appointed as a teacher at the Scientific Institute in Riyadh, then transferred to teach at the College of Sharia, and subsequently to teach in the postgraduate studies department at the College of Usul ad-Din. He then taught at the High Institute of Judiciary and was later appointed as its director. After his term as director ended, he returned to teaching there. He was then appointed as a member of the Permanent Committee for Ifta and Scholarly Research, a position he still holds, along with being a member of the Islamic Fiqh Academy in Makkah.
Other Activities
He is a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, a member of the Islamic Fiqh Academy in Makkah affiliated with the Muslim World League, and a member of the Supervisory Committee for Preachers during Hajj. In addition to his work as a member of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta, he is an Imam, preacher, and teacher at Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Aal Saud Mosque in Al-Malaz. He participates in answering questions on the radio program “Noor Ala Ad-Darb” [Light on the Path], and has regular contributions to academic journals in the form of research, studies, treatises, and fatwas, some of which have been collected and published. He also supervises many academic theses for Master’s and Doctorate degrees, and numerous students of knowledge have studied under him, frequenting his continuous academic sessions and lessons.
His Views
Slavery
Shaykh Saleh Al-Fawzan stated in a lecture: “Slavery is part of Islam. Slavery is part of jihad, and jihad will remain as long as Islam exists.” He described Muslim writers who oppose slavery as “ignorant, not scholars… and whoever says such things is an infidel.”
Human Rights Watch attributed hate speech by Saleh Al-Fawzan against Shiites and Rafidah when he described these groups, specifically followers of Shiism, as “brothers of Satan” and “unbelievers” who “lie against God and His Messenger.” Halah Ad-Dosari also claims that Al-Fawzan considers minority Muslim sects as innovators.
Bedouin Testimony
Shaykh Saleh mentioned in one of his lessons, while explaining the prophetic hadith “La tajuz shahadat badawi ala sahib qaryah” [The testimony of a Bedouin against a villager is not permissible], that the testimony of a Bedouin is not accepted against a city dweller because Bedouins are characterized by harshness and do not understand the value and responsibility of testimony due to their ignorance. He quoted, “Al-A’rab ashaddu kufran wa nifaqan wa ajdaru an la ya’lamu hududa ma anzala Allahu ala rasulih” [The Bedouins are more intense in disbelief and hypocrisy and more likely not to know the limits of what Allah has revealed to His Messenger]. As for city dwellers, they learn, listen to scholars, and attend remembrance gatherings, making them closer to truthfulness. Nasser Al-Baqmi, a member of the Islamic and Judicial Affairs Committee in the Shura Council, commented on Shaykh Al-Fawzan’s statement, saying that it follows the opinion of Imam Malik. However, Abu Hanifa An-Nu’man, Ash-Shafi’i, and the well-known opinion of Ahmad ibn Hanbal accept the testimony of a Bedouin, unless the Bedouin is unknown and his uprightness is not established, in which case his testimony is rejected.
His Teachers
The Shaykh studied under a number of prominent scholars and jurists, including:
Abdul Rahman As-Saadi
Abdul Aziz bin Baz
Abdullah bin Humaid, whose lessons he attended at Buraidah Mosque
Muhammad Al-Amin Ash-Shanqeeti
Abdul Razzaq Al-Afifi
Saleh bin Abdul Rahman As-Sukaiti
Saleh bin Ibrahim Al-Buleihi
Muhammad As-Sabeel
Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Khalifi
Ibrahim bin Obaid Al-Abd Al-Muhsin
Hammoud bin Uqla Ash-Shuaibi
Saleh Al-Ali An-Nasser.
Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Mansour.
He also studied under other Azhar scholars delegated in Hadith, Tafsir, and Arabic language.
His Students
Among Shaykh Al-Fawzan’s most famous students are:
Abdul Rahman As-Sudais
Ali Al-Qasir
Abdul Rahman Al-Mahmoud
Muhammad Al-Wushali
Yusuf Al-Houshan
Nasser Al-Abd Al-Mona’em
Naif Al-Asaker
Ali Ash-Shibl
Muhammad bin Shams ad-Din
His Works
- At-Tahqiqat al-Mardiyah fi al-Mabahith al-Fardiyah [Satisfactory Investigations in Prescribed Matters] in inheritance, which was his Master’s thesis, one volume.
- Ahkam al-At’imah fi ash-Shari’ah al-Islamiyah [Rulings on Foods in Islamic Law], which was his Doctoral thesis, one volume.
- Al-Irshad ila Sahih al-I’tiqad [Guidance to Correct Belief], a small volume.
- Sharh al-Aqeedah al-Wasitiyyah [Explanation of the Wasiti Creed], a small volume.
- Al-Bayan fima Akhta’a fihi ba’d al-Kuttab [Clarification on What Some Writers Erred In], a large volume.
- Majmu’ Muhadarat fi al-Aqidah wad-Da’wah [Collection of Lectures on Creed and Da’wah], two volumes.
- Al-Khutab al-Minbariyah fi al-Munasabat al-Asriyah [Pulpit Sermons on Contemporary Occasions], in two volumes.
- Min A’lam al-Mujaddidin fi al-Islam [Among the Revitalizing Figures in Islam].
- Rasa’il fi Mawadi’ Mukhtalifah [Treatises on Various Topics].
- Majmu’ Fatawa fi al-Aqidah wal-Fiqh [Collection of Fatwas on Creed and Fiqh], transcribed from “Noor Ala Ad-Darb,” of which four parts have been completed.
- Naqd Kitab al-Halal wal-Haram fi al-Islam [Critique of the Book “The Lawful and the Unlawful in Islam”].
- Sharh Kitab at-Tawhid – li al-Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab [Explanation of the Book of Monotheism – by Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab], a scholastic explanation.
- At-Ta’qib ala ma dhakarahu al-Khatib fi haqq al-Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab [Commentary on what Al-Khatib mentioned regarding Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab].
- Al-Mukhtasar al-Fiqhi [The Jurisprudential Summary], one volume.
- Ithaf Ahl al-Iman bi Durus Shahr Ramadan [Gift to the People of Faith with Lessons of the Month of Ramadan].
- Ad-Diya’ al-Lami’ min al-Ahadith al-Qudsiyah al-Jawami’ [The Luminous Radiance from the Comprehensive Sacred Hadiths].
- Bayan ma yaf’aluhu al-Hajj wal-Mu’tamer [Clarification of What the Pilgrim and Umrah Performer Do].
- Kitab at-Tawhid [The Book of Monotheism], two parts prescribed for the secondary stage by the Ministry of Education.
- Fatawa wa Maqalat Nusherat fi Majallat ad-Da’wah [Fatwas and Articles Published in Ad-Da’wah Magazine], which was published as part of Kitab ad-Da’wah [The Book of Da’wah].
- Al-Bida’ wal-Muhdathat wa ma la Asl lahu [Innovations, Newly Invented Matters, and What Has No Basis].
- Majalis Shahr Ramadan al-Mubarak [Sessions of the Blessed Month of Ramadan].
- Aqidat at-Tawhid [The Creed of Monotheism].
- Adwa’ min Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah [Lights from the Fatwas of Ibn Taymiyyah].
- Buhuth Fiqhiyyah fi Qadaya Asriyyah [Jurisprudential Research on Contemporary Issues].
- Muhadarat fi al-Aqidah wad-Da’wah [Lectures on Creed and Da’wah].
- Sharh Kitab Kashf ash-Shubuhat [Explanation of the Book “Clarification of Doubts”].
- Fiqh wa Fatawa al-Buyu’ [Jurisprudence and Fatwas on Sales].
- Durus min al-Qur’an al-Karim [Lessons from the Holy Quran].
- Zad al-Mustaqni’ [Provisions for the Contented].
- Al-Mukhtasar fi Sharh Kitab at-Tawhid [The Summary in the Explanation of the Book of Monotheism].
- I’anat al-Mustafid bi Sharh Kitab at-Tawhid [Assistance for the Beneficiary in Explaining the Book of Monotheism].
- Sharh Masa’il al-Jahiliyyah [Explanation of the Issues of Pre-Islamic Ignorance].
- Hukm al-Ihtifal bi Dhikra al-Mawlid an-Nabawi [The Ruling on Celebrating the Prophet’s Birthday].
- Al-Muntaqa [The Chosen].
- Lamhah an al-Firaq [A Glimpse into the Sects].
- Al-Iman bil Mala’ikah wa Atharuhu fi Hayat al-Ummah [Belief in Angels and its Impact on the Life of the Ummah].
- Al-I’lam bi Naqd Kitab al-Halal wal-Haram [Notification by Critique of the Book “The Lawful and the Unlawful”].
- Mujmal Aqidat as-Salaf as-Salih [Summary of the Creed of the Pious Predecessors].
- Al-Bayan bil Dalil lima fi Nasihat ar-Rifa’i wa Muqaddimat al-Buti min al-Kadhib al-Wadih wat-Tadlil [Clarification with Evidence of the Clear Lies and Misguidance in Al-Rifa’i’s Advice and Al-Buti’s Introduction].
- Haqiqat at-Tasawwuf [The Reality of Sufism].
- Min Mushkilat as-Shabab [Among the Problems of Youth].
- Wujub at-Tahakum ila ma Anzalahu Allah [The Obligation to Judge by What Allah Has Revealed].
- Al-Farq bayna al-Bay’ war-Riba [The Difference Between Selling and Usury].
- Masa’il fi al-Iman [Issues in Faith].
- At-Ta’liqat al-Mukhtasarah ala Matn al-Aqidah at-Tahawiyah [Concise Commentaries on the Text of the Tahawi Creed].
- Taddabur al-Qur’an [Contemplating the Quran].
- Wujub at-Tathabbut fi al-Akhbar wa Ihtiram al-Ulama [The Obligation of Verifying News and Respecting Scholars].
- Min Usul Aqidat Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah [From the Foundations of the Creed of Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah].
- Dawr al-Mar’ah fi Tarbiyat al-Usrah [The Role of Women in Family Upbringing].
- Ma’na La ilaha illa Allah [The Meaning of La ilaha illa Allah].
- Sharh Kitab Sharh as-Sunnah li al-Imam al-Barbahari [Explanation of the Book “Sharh as-Sunnah” by Imam Al-Barbahari].
- Sharh Nawaqid al-Islam [Explanation of the Nullifiers of Islam].
- At-Tawhid fi al-Qur’an [Monotheism in the Quran].
- At-Tahdhir min al-Fawda wal-Fitan wal-Mudaharat [Warning Against Chaos, Sedition, and Demonstrations].
- Kitab Manasik al-Hajj wal-Umrah [Book of Hajj and Umrah Rituals].
- Mukhtasar Ahkam al-Jana’iz [Concise Rulings on Funerals].
- As’ilah wa Ajwibah fi Masa’il al-Iman wal-Kufr [Questions and Answers on Issues of Faith and Disbelief].
- Mawrid al-Afham fi Sharh Umdat al-Ahkam [Mawrid al-Afham in Explanation of Umdat al-Ahkam].
Additional note: Shaykh Saleh Al-Fawzan (Hafidahullah) was appointed as the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia on October 22nd 2025. He succeeded Shaykh Abdul Aziz Aal-Ash-Shaykh (Rahimahullah), who passed away on September 2025.
(Translated by Mohammed bin Thajammul Hussain Manna)
Saheehus-Seerah 