1927 – 1988 · Mujawwad (ornate, melodic, masterful)
Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad (rahimahullah) is perhaps the most beloved Quran reciter of modern times. Born in upper Egypt in 1927 with a voice of extraordinary range and beauty, he became the first reciter to win three consecutive international Quran competitions and was declared 'Sawt min al-Sama' — 'a Voice from Heaven.' His recordings, made between 1955 and 1988, remain unmatched for their melodic perfection, vocal control, and spiritual depth. Whether reciting Surah Maryam, Surah Al-Kahf, or the long passages of Al-Baqarah, his recitation has moved listeners across every continent.
Each recitation below is set against beautiful footage of mosques around the world — Mecca, Madinah, Al-Aqsa, Blue Mosque, Sheikh Zayed and more. Click any to watch on YouTube.
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