Shaikh Saleh Bin Fawzan al-Fawzan

Shaikh Saleh Bin Fawzan al-Fawzan (born in 1935) is a prominent religious scholar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is a member of the Council of Senior Scholars. He has been a member of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta since 1992 at the rank of excellent and a member of the Islamic Fiqh Council, affiliated with the Muslim World League, in Makkah al-Mukarramah. He responds to questions on “Nur ‘Ala al-Darb” program and supervises several academic theses drafted by higher-education students in Saudi universities.

Life of Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan

Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan was raised as an orphan following the passing of his father, Fawzan Bin Abdullah al-Fawzan, during his childhood. He grew up in ash-Shimasiyyah, in Qassim, where his family nurtured him. Under the guidance of the local mosque’s imam, Shaikh Hammoud Bin Suleiman al-Tilal—a skilled Quran reciter and judge in Dariyyah village, Qassim Province—Shaikh Saleh studied the Noble Quran and learned the fundamentals of reading and writing.

Education of Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan

Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan began his education at the public school in ash-Shimasiyyah when it opened in 1950. However, he completed his primary studies at al-Faisaliyah School in Buraydah in 1952. He initially worked as a primary school teacher but later joined the Scholarly Institute in Buraydah when it opened in 1954, becoming one of its first students. After four years of study, he graduated and proceeded to the College of Sharia in Riyadh, where he completed his degree in 1961. He later earned both a master’s and a doctoral degree in Fiqh from the same institution. His master’s thesis focused on “Satisfactory Investigations Applying Hypothetical Approaches in the Science of Inheritance,” while his doctoral thesis was titled “Rulings Concerning Food in Islamic Sharia.”

Positions of Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan

After graduating from the College of Sharia, Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan began his career teaching at the Scholarly Institute in Riyadh. Later, he taught advanced studies at the College of Principles of Religion. He was subsequently appointed as the director of the Higher Institute of Judiciary, where he also continued teaching after completing his administrative term. Shaikh al-Fawzan eventually became a member of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta, a role he holds to this day.

In addition to the role of Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan as a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta, he is also an Imam, preacher, and teacher at Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Mosque, at al-Malaz Neighborhood in Riyadh. He is a member of the Committee for Supervision of the Callers in Hajj and the Islamic Fiqh Council, affiliated with the Muslim World League, in Makkah al-Mukarramah. He responds to questions on “Nur ‘Ala al-Darb” radio program since he believes that people need guidance and help in solving their problems. He also tackles their issues from the perspective of Sharia and Fiqh.

Al-Fawzan has consistently contributed to scholarly works, including research, fatwas, studies, and theses. Some of these have been compiled and published, while others are in the process of being prepared for printing. He also supervises numerous academic theses written by higher-education students at Saudi universities. His teachings have greatly benefited many Sharia students who have attended his courses and lessons.

Shaikhdom of Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan

Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan received knowledge of Sharia from several experts and scholars. Notable scholars include Shaikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Bin Baz, former Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Shaikh Mohammed al-Ameen ash-Shinqeeti, Shaikh Abdul Razzaq Afifi, Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamid, Shaikh Saleh al-Ali al-Nasir, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Sabil, Shaikh Salih Bin Ibrahim al-Bulaihi, Shaikh Ibrahim Bin Obaid al-Abdulmohsen, Shaikh Hammoud Bin Uqla, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Salih al-Khulaifi, and Shaikh Salih Bin Abdulrahman al-Sukaiti.

He was also taught by several shaikhs of al-Azhar University, who were tasked with teaching him Arabic, exegesis, and Hadith.

Publications of Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan

Shaikh al-Fawzan has several publications in the field of Sharia, including the book entitled “Satisfactory Investigations Applying Hypothetical Approaches in the Science of Inheritance,” which is his master’s thesis, printed in one volume, and “Rulings Concerning Food in Islamic Sharia,” his doctoral thesis. Other books include “Guidance to True Belief and Response to Polytheists and Atheists,” “Rectifications of Errors Committed by Writers,” “The Most Notable Mujaddidin in Islam,” “A Collection of Lectures on Belief and Dawa,” “Disseminating Knowledge on Criticizing the Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam,” and “A Collection of Fatwas on Belief and Fiqh.” He also published a transcribed book from his radio program “Nur ‘Ala al-Darb” in five volumes.

Shaikh al-Fawzan has also published a book entitled “Commentary on the Sermon of the Preacher Against Shaikh Mohammed Bin Abdulwahab,” and books entitled “An Interpretation of the Fundamental Beliefs in Islam,” “Sermons During Contemporary Occasions,” “Messages on Various Topics,” and “The Divine Shining Light Reflected by Hadith.” He published “al-Tawhid” book, taught in secondary schools,” “Teaching Believers Lessons of the Holy Month of Ramadan,” the “Fiqh Overview,” as well as various Fatwas and articles that were published in al-Dawa magazine. In addition to publishing the “Description of Pilgrims and Umrah Performers Behavior,” Shaikh al-Fawzan’s achievements also include academic theses and research. Some of these publications were compiled and printed, while others are currently processed for printing.

Relationship between Shaikh al-Fawzan and Shaikh Bin Baz

Shaikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Bin Baz, former Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was one of the teachers who taught and influenced Shaikh al-Fawzan. He taught him Islamic Inheritance Fiqh at the College of Sharia in Riyadh and attended several lessons, lectures, and councils he held. He also listened to his radio program on Islamic knowledge and Fatwa.

Shaikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Bin Baz has been supervising Shaikh al-Fawzan’s work since his tenure at Dar al-Ifta began. Under his guidance, Shaikh al-Fawzan has gained valuable expertise in Sharia, learning to respond to Fatwas with firmness and consistency while ensuring accuracy and correctness. He has also developed patience and resilience in his work, grounding his answers in evidence derived from the Noble Quran and the Sunnah. Furthermore, he has cultivated a deep sense of responsibility and reverence for Allah Almighty, in addressing errors and lapses in the Fatwas provided to the people.

Radio programs of Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan

In addition to his participation in the radio program Nur ‘Ala al-Darb, Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzan also presented the notable series A Reading of the Fatwas of Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyya on the Noble Quran radio station. This program was initiated at the station’s request to provide listeners with an overview of Ibn Taymiyya’s Fatwas. Shaikh al-Fawzan personally prepared the content, drawing from his deep knowledge of Fiqh and Islamic scholarship. Broadcast weekly for several years, the program explored ten volumes of Ibn Taymiyya’s Fatwas before it eventually came to an end.

SOURCE: saudipedia.com