Remembering Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary: A Qari of Humility, Compassion

IQNA – Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary, one of Egypt’s most prominent qaris, is remembered for his mastery of Quran recitation, compassion, and humility.

Family members shared their memories of the late Qari in a recent program aired on Egypt’s CBC channel to mark his birthday.

Qazi Ayman Abdel Hakim, al-Hussary’s grandson, described his grandfather as “a patient, kind-hearted man, who cared for the poor and loved children.”

He recalled his childhood, saying: “My grandfather would hold me in his arms and show affection. Many needy people visited our home, and he personally welcomed them. He would give each one a pocket-sized Quran with some money hidden between its pages so no one’s feelings were hurt.”

Abdel Hakim added that al-Hussary frequently gave money to the poor and encouraged memorization of the Quran. “He would reward anyone who memorized a short surah with 25 qirsh, and if it was a longer surah, he would give one Egyptian pound, which was a significant sum in the 1970s,” he explained.

He also remembered sitting by his grandfather every Friday at Cairo’s Imam Hussein Mosque, where al-Hussary recited Surah al-Kahf. “After prayer, dozens of worshippers would gather around him to benefit from his presence,” he said.

Another granddaughter, Yasmine al-Hussary, also spoke about his spiritual legacy. “God blessed me by making me the daughter of a man who carried the responsibility of Quran recitation for years. He was sincere in his recitation and showed humility before God with every word,” she said.

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She described him as “a kind, modest, and devout man who constantly reminded us of God and His Messenger. He wanted us not only to memorize the Quran but also to live by its ethics and draw inspiration from the Prophet’s example.”

Born on September 17, 1917, al-Hussary memorized the entire Quran by the age of eight and began public recitations at 12. He rose to prominence as one of the four great reciters of the modern era, alongside Abdul Basit, Menshawi, and Mustafa Ismail.

In 1968, he was elected head of the Muslim World’s Union of Quran Reciters. He was also the first to record the complete Quran in tarteel style on cassette tapes, making his recitation widely accessible.

Sheikh al-Hussary died on November 24, 1980, during a trip to Kuwait. Decades later, his family and admirers continue to highlight not only his unmatched recitation but also his deep humanity and enduring influence on the Islamic world.

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