Saud Al-Shuraim

Last updated
Sheikh
Saud bin Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Shuraim
سعود بن ابراهيم بن محمد الشريم
Saud Shuraim doing the Khutbah.png
Saud Shuraim delivering the Jumu'ah Khutbah
Imam and Khatib of Masjid al-Haram
In office
1991–2022
Personal life
Born (1966-01-19) January 19, 1966 (age 59)
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Nationality Saudi Arabia
Main interest(s) Fiqh
Education PhD in Sharia
(Umm al-Qura University)
Religious life
Religion Islam
Denomination Sunni
Lineage Banu Zayd
Creed Athari
Profession
Saud Al-Shuraims' voice
Reciting the Throne Verse

Saud ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Shuraim [a] (born 19 January 1966) [1] is a Saudi Quran reciter, Islamic scholar, and former imam and khatib (Friday preacher) of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. He holds a Ph.D degree in Sharia (Islamic studies) from Umm al-Qura University in Makkah, and was recently appointed as dean and specialist professor in Fiqh at University Bakri bin Ma'tooq. [1] [2]

Contents

Shuraim used to lead the Taraweeh prayers during the month of Ramadan at Masjid al-Haram beginning in 1991.[ citation needed ] On 17 June 2012, he also led the funeral prayer for Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz at the mosque following the Maghrib (sunset) prayer, [3] an event attended by King Abdullah and members of the Saudi royal family.

Personal life

Shuraim was born on 19 January 1966 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His family is from the Haraqees of the Banu Zayd tribe of Saudi Arabia. [4]

In an interview with the Al Watan newspaper, when asked about his wife's role in his success, Shuraim stated:

Before I say something about my wife, I can't forget my mother's love and mercy for me in my childhood and youth as well; As she raised me in orphanage in childhood... her love is a tonic for me. May Allah shower His mercy upon her as she did with me when I was a child.
And as for my wife, she has proven herself to be the best companion for me in happiness and sorrow, she is there when I need her, cheers me up, and tries her best to lighten my sorrows. May Allah include this in her good deeds. [5]

Education

He completed his primary education at Al-Areen School and his secondary studies at Al-Yarmouk High School. In the 1980s, during his late teenage years, he memorized the Quran in approximately six months, reportedly without formal instruction. [6]

In 1989, he earned a bachelor’s degree in creed and doctrines from the Faculty of Fundamentals of Religion at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. He later pursued postgraduate studies at Umm al-Qura University in Mecca, where he was awarded a doctorate in 1995–96 with distinction. Following this, he was appointed as a lecturer at the university, eventually serving as vice dean until his retirement in 2022. [6]

Career

In 1991, he was made a prayer leader and Friday preacher at the Grand Mosque by the order of King Fahd. [4] [7] A year after that, he was appointed judge in the High court of Makkah. [8] [4] Further to this, he was approved and made to teach in the Holy Masjid al-Haram. [8] [4] He has been serving as a professor at the Umm al-Qura University in Mecca since 1995, [8] [4] and has been named the dean of the faculty of "Shari'ah and Islamic Studies". [4] In June 2010, he was promoted from the rank of professor to the specialist professor [8] in fiqh by the president of the university Bakri bin Mat'ooq. He is currently retired. [4]

Works

Saud al-Shuraim produced a range of written work, including poetry as well as studies in Islamic heritage and scholarship. He is credited with authoring around fifteen volumes on topics such as Aqidah (creed), Fiqh (jurisprudence), the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, collections of his sermons, and other areas of Islamic law. [6]

Travels

During his tenure as imam of the Masjid al-Haram, al-Shuraim undertook a number of international visits. His travels included Britain in 1999, the United Arab Emirates in 1997 and 2001, Indonesia in 2002, 2008, and 2011, as well as multiple visits to India between 2010 and 2012. [6]

Retirement

After serving for 32 years at the Masjid al-Haram, al-Shuraim stepped down from his position as imam in 2022. He marked the occasion with a farewell poem of his own composition. His final prayer in the role was the Maghrib prayer on October 8, 2022 (corresponding to 12 Rabi' al-Awwal 1444). [9]

Notes

  1. ↑ Arabic: سعود بن ابراهيم بن محمد الشريم

References

  1. 1 2 "Who's Who: Dr. Saud bin Ibrahim Al-Shuraim, former imam at the Grand Mosque in Makkah". 9 April 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  2. ↑ Writer, Staff (2022-01-14). "Saud Al-Shuraim - Biography, Age, Facts, Family, Son, Wife". Barakah Insider. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  3. ↑ "World leaders express grief as Crown Prince Naif laid to rest | Front Page | Saudi Gazette". Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Steve (28 May 2015). "Un-Known Facts about Imam Saud ash Shuraim". lifeinsaudiarabia. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  5. ↑ Translation of Short Interview with al-Watan newspaper
  6. 1 2 3 4 Mati (2023-03-30). "Biography of Sheikh Saud Al Shuraim". Dispatch news Desk. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  7. ↑ Mati (2023-03-30). "Biography of Sheikh Saud Al Shuraim". Dispatch news Desk. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Saudi Arabia closes Twitter account of Makkah Imam". Middle East Monitor. 7 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  9. ↑ Voice, Muslim (2023-03-18). "Sheikh Shuraim bids farewell to Masjid Al Haram, After 32 Years of Service | The Muslim Voice, Nigeria" . Retrieved 2025-09-14.

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