History of Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary in Timeline

Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary, or Al-Hussary, was a renowned Egyptian Qāriʾ (reciter) celebrated for his precise recitation of the Qur'an. He memorized the entire Qur'an by the age of 8 and began public recitations at 12. His career gained significant momentum after winning Egypt Radio's Qur'an Recitation competition in 1944. Al-Hussary, alongside Al-Minshawy, Abdul Basit, and Mustafa Ismail, forms a quartet widely regarded as the most influential Qur'an reciters of the modern era, leaving a lasting impact on the Islamic world due to their mastery and widespread recognition.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 1917: Birth of Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary

In September 1917, Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary was born. He became a renowned Egyptian qāriʾ known for his accurate Qur'an recitation.

Others born on this day/year

February 1944: First appearance on Egypt's official Qur'an radio station

In February 1944, Al-Hussary made his first appearance as a reciter on Egypt's official Qur'an radio station.

1944: Won Egypt Radio's Qu'ran Recitation competition

In 1944, Al-Hussary won Egypt Radio's Qu'ran Recitation competition with around 200 participants.

1945: Appointment as reciter at the Ahmad al-Badawi mosque

In 1945, Al-Hussary was appointed as a reciter at the Ahmad al-Badawi mosque.

August 1948: Nomination as mu'adhin of the Sidi Hamza Mosque

In August 1948, al-Hussary was nominated as mu'adhin of the Sidi Hamza Mosque, and later became a muqriʾ at the same mosque.

1955: Appointment to Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo

In 1955, Al-Hussary was appointed to the Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo, where he remained in service for 29 years until his death.

1957: Awarded the title Shaykh al-Maqāriʾ by Al-Azhar

In 1957, Al-Azhar awarded Al-Hussary the title Shaykh al-Maqāriʾ (Scholar of the Reciting Schools). He was also appointed to the board of Islamic research on Hadith and the Qur'an at Al-Azhar.

1960: Led department of al-Ḥadīth bi-Jāmiʿ al-Buḥūth al-ʾIslāmiyya

In 1960, Al-Hussary led the department of al-Ḥadīth bi-Jāmiʿ al-Buḥūth al-ʾIslāmiyya for correcting Qur'anic codexes at Al-Azhar libraries.

1960: Travels to Pakistan and India

In 1960, Al-Hussary traveled to Pakistan and India, becoming the first Egyptian qāriʾ to do so. He recited at a conference attended by Jawaharlal Nehru and Gamal Abdul Nasir.

1961: Recorded Ḥafs ʿan ʿĀṣim

In 1961, Al-Hussary recorded the complete Qur'anic text in the style of recitation, Ḥafs ʿan ʿĀṣim.

1964: Recorded Warsh ʿan Nāfiʾ

In 1964, Al-Hussary recorded the complete Qur'anic text in the style of recitation, Warsh ʿan Nāfiʾ.

1967: Received Egyptian Medal of Honour for Arts and Sciences and elected President of the Islamic World League of Qur'an Reciters

In 1967, Al-Hussary received the Egyptian Medal of Honour for Arts and Sciences, First Grade, from President Gamal 'Abd Al-Nasir. That same year, he was elected the President of the Islamic World League of Qur'an Reciters.

1968: Recorded Qālān ʿan Nāfiʾ, ad-Dūrī ʿan Abi ʿAmr and al-Muṣḥaf al-Muʿallim

In 1968, Al-Hussary recorded the complete Qur'anic text in the styles of recitation, Qālān ʿan Nāfiʾ and ad-Dūrī ʿan Abi ʿAmr. He also recorded the Qu'ran in the style known as al-Muṣḥaf al-Muʿallim.

1976: Participated in the World of Islam Festival in London

In 1976, Al-Hussary participated in the World of Islam Festival held in London.

1977: Recited the Qur'an in front of the United Nations

In 1977, Al-Hussary recited the Qur'an in front of the United Nations.

1978: Recited the Qur'an at Buckingham Palace

In 1978, Al-Hussary recited the Qur'an at Buckingham Palace.

November 1980: Death of Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary

In November 1980, Al-Hussary passed away. He was an Egyptian qāriʾ known for his accurate recitation of the Qur'an.

November 1980: Death due to liver failure

On 24 November 1980, Al-Hussary passed away from liver failure during a trip to Kuwait. His last public recitals were at the Kaaba in Mecca and Masjid al Nabawi in Medina.

1980: Left wealth for charitable constructions

In 1980, at the time of his death, Al-Hussary bequeathed a third of his wealth to construct a mosque on Al-Ajuzah Street in Cairo and left expenses for the mosque he built in Tanta, as well as for Islamic institutes and a center dedicated to Qur'an memorization in Shobra al-Namla.

October 2005: Inauguration of Al-Hosary mosque in 6th of October City

In October 2005, the Al-Hosary mosque, the largest in 6th of October City, was inaugurated in honor of Al-Hussary. The mosque complex also houses an orphanage, a Qur'anic institute, and multi-purpose auditoriums.