01/08/2025
The Exemplary Sheikh:
Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary (September 17, 1917 – November 24, 1980) was an Egyptian qāriʾ (Qur'an reciter) renowned for his precise and melodious recitation of the Holy Qur'an. Born in Shubra Al-Namla, Tanta, Egypt, he memorized the Qur'an by age 8 and began reciting publicly by 12. He studied at Al-Azhar University, mastering the ten recitations of the Qur'an. In 1944, he won Egypt Radio's Qur'an recitation competition and became a prominent reciter on the station, with his first broadcast on February 16, 1944. He was the first to record the complete Qur'an in the murattal style and in multiple qirāʾāt (recitation styles), including Hafs, Warsh, Qalun, and others.
Al-Hussary served as a reciter at notable mosques, including Sidi Hamza, Sidi Ahmed Al-Badaoui, and Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo. He also supervised Qur'anic schools in Gharbia province and recited internationally, including at the United Nations, the White House, and the Royal Palace in London. Known for his adherence to tajweed rules and soulful voice, he is considered one of the most influential reciters of modern times, alongside Al-Minshawy, Abdul Basit, and Mustafa Ismail. He passed away in 1980 from liver failure during a trip to Kuwait. His recordings remain widely available on platforms like Quran.com and Spotify.
