Buraidah: Arafat preacher Sheikh Saleh bin Hamid, whose full name is Abu Muhammad Salih bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Hussein bin Hamid, traces his lineage to the well-known tribe of Bani Khalid. Born in Buraidah, Qassim region in 1369 AH, he was raised by his father, Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Hamid, a respected scholar.
According to Union of OIC News Agencies, Sheikh Saleh's academic journey began with memorizing the Quran at the Grand Mosque, where he completed his memorization with Tajweed at the age of sixteen. He was among the first graduates of the Holy Quran Memorization Society in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. Sheikh Saleh pursued various fields of study, including inheritance law, logic, and formal education at Al-Faisaliah School in Buraidah and later at King Abdulaziz Secondary School in Mecca.
Sheikh Saleh initially pursued medical studies in Shiraz, Iran, but later returned to Makkah to study Sharia. He completed his undergraduate studies at the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, graduating with first-class honors. He continued his postgraduate education at Umm Al-Qura University, earning a Master's degree and a PhD in Islamic jurisprudence and its principles.
Sheikh Saleh began his service as Imam of the Grand Mosque in 1403 AH and was officially appointed as Imam and Preacher in 1404 AH. He also served as a teacher and Mufti at the Grand Mosque, offering lessons on faith, jurisprudence, and interpretation. His teachings extended to Riyadh, where he led classes on jurisprudence and the biography of the Prophet.
In addition to his religious roles, Sheikh Saleh has held numerous administrative positions, including President of the Supreme Judicial Council and Chairman of the Shura Council. He has been actively involved in various scientific conferences and has contributed to writings on topics such as Sharia law and human rights.
Sheikh Saleh's contributions extend to committee memberships and chairmanships, including roles in endowment committees, postgraduate examinations, and Islamic economics councils. His work has been recognized through honorary memberships in various associations, reflecting his commitment to Islamic scholarship and community service.