[2] Also unlike Ali, Saifuddin has indicated a willingness as Religious Affairs Minister to extend recognition to the Baháʼí Faith, a minority group in the country.

His father, Saifuddin Zuhri, was a politician, journalist, educator and Muslim cleric, who was Minister of Religious Affairs under president Sukarno, from 1962 until 1967 while his mother was a woman named Solichah.

He was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Central Executive Board of the Nadhlatul Ulama Family Welfare Institution (LKKNU) from 1985 until 1988.

[8] At the end of 2014, he was appointed by president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as Minister of Religious Affairs, replacing Suryadharma Ali, who had been indicted in a corruption scandal involving illicit use of funds intended for the hajj.

Saifuddin is married to Trisna Willy, and together they have three children namely, Naufal Zilal Kemal, Zahira Humaira, and Sabilla Salsabilla.