Iranian Qari Highlights Spiritual Depth of Recitations by Egypt’s Legendary Qaris
“Past Egyptian reciters focused more on the meaning and message of the verses, conveying them to the hearts and souls of listeners,” Ali Asghar Ghadiri Mofrad said in an interview with IQNA.
“As the saying goes, ‘Words that come from the heart will surely settle in the heart’,” he said.
Mofrad contrasted the past qaris’ approach with that of some contemporary reciters, whom he said prioritize technical performance over spiritual depth. “Some recite merely to create a beautiful delivery. But when you recite the Quran, you must engage with its meanings.”
Mofrad highlighted the guidance of leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who has long stressed the importance of comprehending Quranic verses for effective recitation.
“The Leader considers understanding the meanings of the verses a fundamental pillar of genuine Quranic recitation. The reciter must grasp the themes, be moved by them, and only then can they move others.”
He quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying that the first principle is that the qari must believe in the Quran and its concepts.
“If we do not know what we are reading, if we do not grasp its meaning, and if it does not touch our soul, our recitation will have little impact on others or ourselves.”
While acknowledging the importance of vocal techniques, Mofrad cautioned against excessive musicality.
“The tone and melodies used must align with the Quran’s spiritual essence,” he said.
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He cited Ayatollah Khamenei’s emphasis on distinction between Quranic recitation and mere singing, saying that one should not confuse Quran recitation with singing.
Mofrad noted that many of Egypt’s past Quran masters, including Ismail and Rifaat, were trained musicians but they adhered to spiritually appropriate melodies.
“They were meticulous in aligning their recitation with the Quran’s meaning,” he stated.
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Translated by Seyed Hossein Beheshti Shakib
