Egyptian writer and researcher Atif Abdul-Hadi is among them. He says Rif’at had the best voice to have recited the holy Quran in the previous century. “With his beautiful soft voice he could penetrate the hearts and soul of Muslims. His expressive voice reveals the meaning of the verses and vibrates the emotions in a very unique style,” Mr Abdul-Hadi wrote.
Muhammad Rif’at was born in Cairo’s Maghriblin district in 1900. Muhammad turned blind at the age of two. His father, who was a police officer, sent him to Fazil Pasha Mosque in Cairo to memorize the holy Quran and he managed to learn the Holy Book by heart before he was ten. Muhammad also learned the rules of Tajweed in a few years.
At 15, he gained fame as a Quran reciter after reciting Surah Al-Juma at Fazil Pasha Mosque. He would recite the Quran for 30 years at that mosque and people from all over the country would come to listen to his beautiful recitations. His voice shook the audience’s hearts and his fame remained so great that there was no place left at the mosque or at the neighboring areas. A large crowd used to rush to listen carefully to that angelic voice. It also happened that some people fainted or lost conscience while listening to that unique voice. Muhammad was also the first to recite the Quran on the Egyptian radio.
As well as mastery over Quran recitation, Muhammad Rif’at had mastery over Azan (call to prayers) and was considered the best Muezzin. He recited the Azan so beautifully that many embraced Islam after hearing his Azan.
Sheikh Muhammad Rif’at passed away in 1948 after a long illness, but his outstanding Quran recitations remain inspiring long after his death.
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