Abdul al-Aziz ibn Baz

About

Both an Islamic religious scholar and a dedicated supporter of the conservative Salafi movement within Sunni Islam, Baz held the high-ranking religious and legal position of Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia during the 1990s.

Before Fame

In his youth, he studied with a number of prominent Islamic scholars, including Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh and Abdullah bin Qu'ood.

Trivia

He published more than sixty religious works and was widely criticized for his opposition to women's rights.

Family Life

A native of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he lost his father in his early childhood and his mother in his early adulthood; he and his brother had to work during their childhood and teenage years to help support their family. Baz had several wives and multiple children.

Associated With

Baz found himself an enemy of terrorist Osama bin Laden when his conservative Islamic views were not conservative enough to appease the international criminal.