Dato' Sheikh Abd. Halim was born on October 31, 1910, at Tanjung Pauh in Jitra, Kedah. He received his education at Jitra Malay School and later went for his religious education with the "pondok" (hut) system at the Haji Wan Sulaiman Sidek Islamic School at Limbong Kapal in Alor Setar, Kedah.

In 1927, he continued his education at the Al-Azhar University where he graduated with a Bachelor Degree. He returned to Kedah in 1937, to obey an order from His Highness Tunku Mahmud, then the Regent of Kedah, that he honour his obligation by being the first Principal of Mahmud College. He was Mahmud College's Principal from September 7, 1937 until June 30, 1954. He then took over the post of Registrar of Religious Schools in Kedah from July 1, 1954 until 12 December 1966. On December 14, 1966 he was appointed Head of the State's Religious Department and the State's Council for Religious Affairs and retired from both positions on December 1, 1969. He was however, reemployed in the same posts for the next two years before finally retiring on March 2, 1971, after serving in the government service for 33 years.

As Head of the State Religious Council, he had introduced a number of changes and new ideas including the establishment of kindergartens in all mosques, encouraging secondary school students to take part in religious speech contests and in affairs affecting Muslim economy, such as the religious devotion of donating properties for public use (wakaf).

Dato' Sheikh Halim was also personally involved in the fight against Malayan Union by being one of the founder members of Kedah Malay Society which was headed by the late Tuan Haji Hussein Che Dol from Guar Chempedak. He also took an active part in the establishment of the Kedah Ulama Society.

As a mark of respect and recognition for his good work to the State of Kedah, he was awarded the Bintang Cemerlang Kedah (B.C.K.), and the Dato' Paduka Mahkota Kedah (D.P.M.K.). In 1983 he was selected as the outstanding teacher of the year (Tokoh Guru). Dato' Sheikh Abd. Halim Bin Haji Osman died of a heart attack on June 7, 1997.