Dr. Salman Al-Ouda, a prominent Saudi Islamic scholar, orator, and activist, has maintained a largely private personal life, consistent with his cultural and religious background. While his public persona has been defined by his intellectual contributions, religious teachings, and advocacy, details concerning his romantic relationships and dating history have remained largely out of the public eye. His personal narrative is primarily understood through the lens of his deeply cherished family life.
Al-Ouda was notably married to Haya Al-Sayari, a union that formed the bedrock of his family life for many years. Haya Al-Sayari was widely respected in her own right, known for her piety, strong character, and unwavering support for Dr. Al-Ouda and his scholarly endeavors. Their marriage was a private affair, with details regarding their initial meeting or courtship not publicly disclosed, reflecting a common practice of privacy for personal matters among religious figures in the region.
Together, Dr. Salman Al-Ouda and Haya Al-Sayari were blessed with eight children, forming a large and close-knit family. Their children included Abdullah, Abdulrahman, Mishaal, Nawaf, Saud, Fahad, Sara, and Lama. The family's life was centered on Islamic values and education, with Dr. Al-Ouda often speaking about the importance of family and raising children in a religious environment, though specific day-to-day details of his marital relationship were kept private.
The most public and profoundly tragic event concerning Dr. Al-Ouda's personal life occurred in January 2017. His wife, Haya Al-Sayari, and his son, Abdullah, tragically passed away in a devastating car accident in Riyadh. This immense loss garnered significant public sympathy and attention, with condolences pouring in from across the Arab and Islamic world. Dr. Al-Ouda's public reaction to this tragedy, marked by profound grief yet steadfast faith, offered a rare glimpse into the depth of his personal sorrow and resilience.
"To God we belong and to Him we shall return. My wife Haya Al-Sayari and my son Abdullah passed away. May God have mercy on them and forgive them," Dr. Al-Ouda shared on social media following the tragic news, a testament to his faith in the face of unimaginable loss.
Following the tragic passing of his first wife, reports, though scarce and largely unconfirmed in detail, suggested that Dr. Al-Ouda may have entered into a second marriage. However, consistent with his preference for privacy in personal matters, no public details regarding a second spouse, the timeline of such a relationship, or any public appearances have ever been confirmed or widely reported by reputable sources. His focus remained on his scholarly work and public advocacy, even amidst his personal trials and subsequent detention in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Salman Al-Ouda's romantic history, as publicly known, is thus defined by his long and devoted marriage to Haya Al-Sayari and the profound impact of her and their son's tragic deaths. His life exemplifies a public figure whose personal relationships, while undoubtedly central to his private world, have been shielded from the detailed public scrutiny often associated with other types of celebrities, with the emphasis remaining on his intellectual and spiritual contributions rather than his romantic journey.