Saud ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Shuraim led the Tarawih prayers at the Masjid al-Haram for thirty-one years, beginning his tenure in 1991. A former judge in the High Court of Makkah and a specialist professor in jurisprudence, he has spent his career navigating the intersection of Islamic legal tradition and contemporary academic study within Saudi Arabia.
Early Education and Quranic Studies
Born in Riyadh on 19 January 1966, al-Shuraim completed his primary and secondary schooling at Areen Elementary, Model Intermediate, and Al-Yarmouk Secondary schools. During his late teens in the 1980s, he memorized the Quran over a period of six months without formal instruction. He subsequently enrolled at the Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in 1984, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1988 from the College of Fundamentals of Religion.
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Al-Shuraim pursued advanced training at the Supreme Judicial Institute, obtaining a master’s degree in comparative jurisprudence in 1992. In 1995, he earned his PhD from Umm al-Qura University in Mecca. His academic trajectory included appointments as a lecturer, vice dean of the Faculty of Sharia, and eventually dean of the faculty of Shari'ah and Islamic Studies. By 2010, the university president, Bakri bin Mat'ooq, promoted him to the rank of specialist professor in Fiqh.
Service at the Grand Mosque
Appointed by King Fahd in 1991, al-Shuraim served as both a prayer leader and a Friday preacher at the Grand Mosque. His responsibilities included presiding over significant religious events, such as the funeral prayer for Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz in June 2012. Beyond his duties in Mecca, he authored approximately fifteen volumes covering topics ranging from creed and jurisprudence to Hajj rituals and sermon collections.
Retirement and International Engagement
Following a 32-year tenure at the Masjid al-Haram, al-Shuraim retired from his imam position on 8 October 2022. He concluded his service after leading the Maghrib prayer. Throughout his career, he traveled internationally to represent his work, with visits to Britain, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and India. In 2018, Saudi authorities closed his social media account following his public remarks on social and political issues.
Fast facts
- Born: 19 January 1966, Riyadh
- Education: Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University; Umm al-Qura University
- Professional role: Former imam and khatib of the Masjid al-Haram
- Academic rank: Specialist professor in Fiqh
- Academic specialization: Islamic jurisprudence
- Retirement date: 8 October 2022
- Citizenship: Saudi Arabia
- Tribal background: Banu Zayd
Questions readers ask
Did Saud al-Shuraim hold a position in the judiciary?
Yes, he was appointed as a judge in the High Court of Makkah following his initial appointment as an imam in 1991.
What is the scope of al-Shuraim's published writings?
He has authored approximately fifteen books addressing Islamic creed, jurisprudence, sermon collections, and the rituals of Hajj and Umrah.
