He was born in the city of Riyadh in Ramadhaan in the year 1329 A.H./1908 C.E.
Losing his sight in his infancy, he was nonetheless brought up with good manners.
He memorised the Qur.aan by heart whilst he was young whilst also actively and patiently seeking knowledge. He studied with the shaykhs of Riyadh and those who visited the city. He excelled in many fields and his shaykhs noted his brilliance.
So he studied with many shaykhs, amongst them:
- Shaykh Hamad Ibn Faaris (rahima-hullaah), with whom he studied the sciences of the Arabic language and hadeeth;
- Shaykh Sa’d Ibn Hamad Ibn ‘Ateeq (rahima-hullaah), with whom he studied the principles of the religion and it’s various branches;
- Shaykh Saalih Ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh (rahima-hullaah), with whom he remained close to; he studied the principles of the religion and it’s various branches, hadeeth and tafseer;
- Shaykh Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdul-Lateef Aal ash-Shaykh (rahima-hullaah), with whom he studied and remained close to;
- Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ibraaheem Aal ash-Shaykh (rahima-hullaah), with whom he studied and remained close to for a long time and used to seek his counsel in judiciary matters;
Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ibraaheem Aal ash-Shaykh appointed him a teacher for beginners and his assistant, so whenever he was absent he would cover for him.
In 1357 A.H./1922 C.E. King ‘Abdul-‘Azeez (rahima-hullaah) appointed him a judge in the region of Sudayr.
In 1363 A.H./1928 C.E. he was appointed a judge in the region of Buraydah and the surrounding areas.
In 1377 A.H./1942 C.E. he asked to be excused from the post of judge, and sought leave to increase in his worship and teach the people.
The General Presidency for the Supervision of Religious Affairs at al-Masjid al-Haraam (in Makkah) was then set up and King Faysal (rahima-hullaah) chose him to head the supervision of religious affairs at al-Masjid al-Haraam, as well as teaching there and passing fatwa. As a result Allaah caused the ummah to benefit from his knowledge.
In 1395 A.H./1974 C.E. King Khaalid (rahima-hullaah) appointed him head of the Senior Judiciary Committee, member of the Council of Senior Scholars, head of the Jurisprudence Committee, and member of the Foundation Committee for ar-Raabitah al-‘Aalam al-Islaamee.
He died on Wednesday 20 Dhul-Qa’dah 1402 A.H./1981 C.E. and his janaazah prayer was performed in al-Masjid al-Haraam where many were in attendance.
