History of Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 10, 2026

Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary, known as Al-Hussary, was a highly respected Egyptian qāriʾ, renowned for his precise Qur'an recitation. Memorizing the entire Qur'an by age 8, he began public recitations at 12. In 1944, he won Egypt Radio's prestigious Qu'ran Recitation competition. Al-Hussary, along with Al-Minshawy, Abdul Basit, and Mustafa Ismail, are considered pivotal figures in modern Qur'anic recitation, profoundly influencing the Islamic world with their contributions.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 1917: Birth of Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary

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

Others born on this day/year

February 1944: Joined Egypt's official Qur'an radio station

In February 1944, al-Hussary joined Egypt's official Qur'an radio station as a reciter.

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

In 1944, Al-Hussary won Egypt Radio's Qu'ran Recitation competition, beating out 200 participants including veterans 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.

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

On August 7, 1948, al-Hussary was nominated as mu'adhin of the Sidi Hamza Mosque and later became a muqriʾ at the same mosque. He also supervised recitation centers in the al-Gharbia province.

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 (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 the 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, being the first Egyptian qāriʾ to do so, to recite at a conference in the presence of 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 known as Ḥafs ʿan ʿĀṣim.

1964: Recorded Warsh ʿan Nāfiʾ

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

1967: Received the Egyptian Medal of Honour for Arts and Sciences 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 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 and 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 known as 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 was invited to participate in the World of Islam Festival in London.

1977: Recited at the United Nations

In 1977, Al-Hussary recited the Qur'an at the United Nations.

1978: Recited at Buckingham Palace

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

November 1980: Death due to liver failure

In November 1980, Al-Hussary died of liver failure during a trip to Kuwait. His last public recitals were at the Kaaba in Mecca and Masjid al Nabawi in Medina.

November 1980: Death of Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil al-Hussary

In November 1980, Al-Hussary passed away. He was a highly respected Egyptian qāriʾ known for his accurate recitation of the Qur'an. He had a significant impact on the Islamic world.

1980: Left a third of his wealth for charitable causes in his will

In 1980, upon his death, Al-Hussary bequeathed a third of his wealth to construct a mosque on Al-Ajuzah Street in Cairo, and allocated funds for the maintenance of a mosque in Tanta, three Islamic institutes, and a Qur'an memorization center (Maʿhad al-ʾAzhar) in Shobra al-Namla.

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

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