A Legacy Fades: The End of an Era with Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti

The recent passing of Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Asheikh, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and most senior religious authority, represents far more than the loss of a single cleric. His death marks a symbolic conclusion to a particular chapter in the kingdom’s religious and political narrative, occurring at a pivotal moment when Saudi Arabia finds itself in the midst of unprecedented transformation. As the country’s highest religious authority for nearly three decades, Sheikh Abdulaziz embodied the traditional alliance between the ruling Al Saud family and the conservative Wahhabi religious establishment that has defined Saudi governance since the kingdom’s founding. His tenure as Grand Mufti witnessed the kingdom through tumultuous periods including the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the rise of extremist movements like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, the Arab Spring, and most recently, the ambitious modernization agenda championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Sheikh Abdulaziz represented a generation of clerics whose influence extended deep into Saudi society, shaping everything from personal behavior to national policy. Born into a family of prominent religious scholars and educated in the traditional Islamic sciences, he rose through the religious ranks with a reputation for unwavering commitment to conservative interpretations of Islam. His fatwas (religious edicts) touched on virtually every aspect of Saudi life – from prohibitions on women driving (a position later reversed) to declarations against extremism. While often characterized in Western media as ultraconservative, Sheikh Abdulaziz’s legacy is more complex; he frequently denounced terrorism and extremist interpretations of jihad, yet remained steadfast in his opposition to many social reforms now transforming the kingdom. The contradictions within his public positions reflected the delicate balancing act required of Saudi religious authorities: maintaining doctrinal purity while adapting to changing geopolitical realities and supporting the monarchy’s stability.

The timing of the Grand Mufti’s departure coincides with Saudi Arabia’s most dramatic period of social and economic transformation. Under Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious modernization program, the kingdom has witnessed previously unimaginable changes: women now drive and enjoy expanded professional opportunities; entertainment venues from cinemas to concert halls have opened; and religious police have seen their powers dramatically curtailed. These reforms represent a fundamental recalibration of the relationship between the Saudi state and religious establishment. Where once clerics like Sheikh Abdulaziz wielded tremendous influence over public policy, the current leadership has repositioned religious authorities as supporters of state initiatives rather than independent power centers. This shift reflects not just political calculation but demographic reality – with over two-thirds of the Saudi population under 35, the leadership has recognized the necessity of addressing youth aspirations for economic opportunity and greater personal freedoms.

The Grand Mufti’s death also invites reflection on the changing nature of religious authority in contemporary Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Abdulaziz represented an old model of religious leadership – one based on traditional scholarship, institutional position, and close alignment with the ruling family. Today’s Saudi religious landscape is more fragmented and digitized. Young Saudis increasingly encounter religious ideas through social media platforms rather than formal religious institutions. State-backed religious scholars now compete for attention with independent preachers, intellectuals, and even social media influencers discussing religious matters. The government has responded by asserting greater control over religious discourse – criminalizing unauthorized religious edicts and promoting interpretations of Islam compatible with its modernization agenda. These developments suggest that whoever succeeds Sheikh Abdulaziz will likely operate within a more constrained institutional space, with religious authority more explicitly subordinated to national development goals.

Beyond Saudi borders, the passing of the Grand Mufti carries significance for the broader Muslim world. Saudi Arabia’s unique position as custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites has historically granted its religious establishment outsized influence in global Islamic discourse. Sheikh Abdulaziz’s pronouncements resonated far beyond the kingdom, particularly in countries where Saudi religious institutions have provided funding and doctrinal guidance. Yet here too, change is evident. Under current leadership, Saudi Arabia has moderated its religious exportation, emphasizing themes of tolerance and moderation over stricter interpretations previously associated with the kingdom. The country now positions itself as a champion against extremism rather than a purveyor of conservative religious thought. This recalibration reflects both domestic priorities and international pressures, as the kingdom seeks to reshape its global image and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties beyond its traditional alliances.

As Saudi Arabia mourns its Grand Mufti, the kingdom stands at a crossroads between tradition and transformation. Sheikh Abdulaziz’s successor will inherit a religious establishment with diminished political influence but still significant moral authority. The challenge for Saudi leadership moving forward will be maintaining the delicate balance between religious legitimacy and modernization – honoring the kingdom’s Islamic heritage while creating space for the social and economic changes necessary for its future prosperity. For ordinary Saudis, the Grand Mufti’s passing symbolizes the broader transitions underway in their society, as they navigate between cherished traditions and emerging opportunities. Whatever path Saudi Arabia ultimately takes, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Asheikh’s death marks the closing of one distinct chapter in the kingdom’s religious history and the opening of another, the contours of which are still being defined by the dynamic tensions between conservation and change, religious authority and state power, tradition and innovation.