History of Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary in Timeline

Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary, or Al-Hussary, was a renowned Egyptian Qāriʾ celebrated for his precise and beautiful recitation of the Qur'an. He memorized the entire Qur'an by the age of 8 and began reciting publicly at 12. A significant moment in his career was winning Egypt Radio's Qu'ran Recitation competition in 1944. Al-Hussary, alongside Al-Minshawy, Abdul Basit, and Mustafa Ismail, is considered one of the most influential Qur'an reciters in the modern era, leaving a lasting impact on the Islamic world through his contributions to the art of recitation.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 1917: Birth of Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary

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

Others born on this day/year

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

On 16 February 1944, al-Hussary made his first appearance as a reciter on Egypt's official Qur'an radio station.

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

In 1944, Al-Hussary won Egypt Radio's Qu'ran Recitation competition, where he competed against approximately 200 participants, including renowned reciters such as Muhammad Rifat, Ali Mahmud, and Abd Al-Fattah Ash-Sha'sha'i.

1945: Appointed reciter at the Ahmad al-Badawi mosque

In 1945, Al-Hussary was appointed as a reciter at the Ahmad al-Badawi mosque, marking a significant step in his career as a Qur'an reciter.

August 1948: Nominated mu'adhin of the Sidi Hamza Mosque

On 7 August 1948, Al-Hussary was nominated as mu'adhin of the Sidi Hamza Mosque and later became a muqriʾ at the same mosque.

1955: Appointed to the Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo

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

1957: Awarded the title Shaykh al-Maqāriʾ

In 1957, Al-Azhar awarded Al-Hussary the title Shaykh al-Maqāriʾ, which translates to 'Scholar of the Reciting Schools'.

1960: Travels to Pakistan and India

In 1960, Al-Hussary became the first Egyptian qāriʾ to travel to Pakistan and India to recite at a conference alongside Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, and Gamal Abdul Nasir, the second Egyptian President.

1960: Leads department at Al-Azhar University

In 1960, Al-Hussary led the department of al-Ḥadīth bi-Jāmiʿ al-Buḥūth al-ʾIslāmiyya at Al-Azhar University, where he corrected Qur'anic codexes present in the libraries.

1961: Records Ḥafs ʿan ʿĀṣim recitation

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

1964: Records Warsh ʿan Nāfiʾ recitation

In 1964, Al-Hussary recorded the Warsh ʿan Nāfiʾ style of Qur'an recitation.

1967: Receives Egyptian Medal of Honour and elected President of the Islamic World League of Qur'an Reciters

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

1968: Records Qālān ʿan Nāfiʾ and ad-Dūrī ʿan Abi ʿAmr recitations and al-Muṣḥaf al-Muʿallim

In 1968, Al-Hussary recorded the Qālān ʿan Nāfiʾ and ad-Dūrī ʿan Abi ʿAmr styles of recitation. That same year, he recorded the Qu'ran in the style known as al-Muṣḥaf al-Muʿallim, a technique of tartīl with exclusive focus on pedagogy.

1976: Invited to participate in the World of Islam Festival in London

In 1976, Al-Hussary was invited to participate in the World of Islam Festival held in London, showcasing his international recognition.

1977: Recites at the United Nations

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

1978: Recites at Buckingham Palace

In 1978, Al-Hussary recited the Qur'an at Buckingham Palace, further solidifying his international recognition.

November 1980: Death due to liver failure

In November 1980, Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary passed away from liver failure during a trip to Kuwait. His final recitals were at the Kaaba in Mecca and Masjid al Nabawi in Medina.

November 1980: Death of Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary

In November 1980, Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary passed away. He was a highly respected Egyptian qāriʾ known for his precise Qur'an recitations.

1980: Leaves wealth for charitable endeavors in his will

In 1980, upon his death, Al-Hussary allocated a third of his wealth in his will to construct a mosque on Al-Ajuzah Street in Cairo and provided for the maintenance of the mosque in Tanta, three Islamic institutes, and the Maʿhad al-ʾAzhar center in his village, Shobra al-Namla.

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

In October 2005, the Al-Hosary mosque, the largest mosque in 6th of October City, was inaugurated by the "Shaykh al-Hussary Society" in honor of Al-Hussary. The complex includes an orphanage, a Qur'anic institute, and auditoriums.