The Grand Mufti is the head of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Issuing Fatwas.
His main role is to give opinions (fatwas) on legal matters and on social affairs.
[2] The office was created in 1953 by King Abdul Aziz with the appointment of Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Al ash-Sheikh.
[3] Usually, the office of the Grand Mufti has been filled by a member of the Al ash-Sheikh (the descendants of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab).
[5] In 1969, King Faisal abolished the office of Grand Mufti and replaced it with a Ministry of Justice.