Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abdul Basit Muhammad Abdus Samad |
|
|---|---|
| عبـدُ الباسِـط مُحـمّـد عبـدُ ٱلصّـمـد | |
 |
|
| Religion | Islam |
| Known for | His unique melodic recitation of the Quran |
| Personal | |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Born | 1927 Armant, Egypt |
| Died | 30 November 1988 (aged 60–61) Cairo, Egypt |
| Children | Hisham Abd us-Samad, Yasser Abd us-Samad, Tarek Abd us-Samad |
| Senior posting | |
| Title |
|
| Religious career | |
| Website |
|
‘Abdul-Basit ‘Abdus-Samad (Arabic: عبـدُ الباسِـط مُحـمّـد عبـدُ ٱلصّـمـد) was a famous reciter of the Quran from Egypt. He was born in 1927 and passed away on November 30, 1988. Many people consider him one of the best Quran reciters ever.
He won three world Quran recitation competitions in the early 1970s. Abdul Basit was one of the first reciters to make recordings of his beautiful recitations. He also became the first president of the Reciters' Union in Egypt. People called him the Golden Throat and the Voice of Heaven. This was because of his amazing voice, how well he controlled his breath, and his emotional style.
Abdul Basit finished learning the entire Quran by the age of 10. By 12, he had learned 7 different styles of Quran recitation. He knew all 10 styles by the time he was 14. His son, Tareq Abd El Basit Abd El Samad, is also a well-known Sheikh in Egypt.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad was born in 1927. His village was Al-Maarazeh in Qena Governorate, Egypt. From a very young age, he was dedicated to memorizing and reciting the Quran.
His grandfather, Sheikh Abdul Samad, was known for memorizing the Quran. He also knew its rules of recitation very well. Abdul Basit's father, Muhammad Abdul Samad, was also a great Quran reciter. He worked for the Ministry of Communications.
Abdul Basit had two older brothers, Mahmoud and Abdul Hamid. They were both memorizing the Quran at a religious school called a Madrasa. Young Abdul Basit joined them when he was six years old. His teacher quickly noticed how fast he learned. Abdul Basit was very careful to follow his teacher's pronunciation. He also had a natural talent for recitation and a wonderful voice.
Continuing His Education
Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad finished memorizing the Quran at age ten. He then asked his grandfather and father to let him continue his studies. He wanted to learn the different Qira’at (recitation styles). They both agreed and planned to send him to Tanta in Lower Egypt. There, he would study Quranic recitations under Sheikh Muhammad Salim.
Traveling to Tanta was a long journey. However, young Abdul Basit was ready for it. He knew this education would be very important for his future. Just before he was supposed to leave, his family heard good news. Sheikh Muhammad Salim had arrived in Armant to teach at the Religious Institute.
This was perfect timing for Abdul Basit and his family. People in the city were very happy to welcome the scholar. They knew he had great knowledge of the Quran. The community even started an association to help preserve the Quran. This allowed Sheikh Muhammad Salim to teach memorization and recitations. Abdul Basit went to him and reviewed the entire Quran. He then memorized Al-Shatibia, a classic text about the seven recitation styles.
By the time Sheikh Abdul Basit was twelve, he was already famous. Requests for him to recite came from all over Qena Governorate. This was partly thanks to Sheikh Muhammad Salim. He recommended Abdul Basit everywhere he went. People trusted Sheikh Salim's word.
Starting His Career
Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad officially began his career in Cairo at age 23. He was invited to a celebration for the birth of Sayyida Zainab. On the last night, many top reciters were there. These included famous names like Sheikh Abdul Fattah Al-Shashaa’i and Sheikh Mustafa Isma’il.
Young Sheikh Abdul Basit tried to find a spot in the audience. He wanted to listen to these great reciters. After midnight, a relative helped him. This relative knew the officials at the Sayyida Zainab Mosque. He asked if Abdul Basit could also recite. He said, "I have a reciter from Upper Egypt. He has a sweet and beautiful voice. He will recite for ten minutes."
The mosque was completely full. The audience listened to his amazing voice. It touched their hearts so much that they cheered "Allah Akbar!" (God is the greatest!). Every time Abdul Basit tried to finish, the audience wanted him to keep going. He continued for about two hours, finishing in the early morning.
After this amazing experience, Abdul Basit decided to apply to the radio station. He wanted to become a Quran reciter there. He was appointed as a Quran reciter on the radio in 1951.
Travels Around the World
Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad traveled to many countries. He shared his beautiful recitations with people worldwide.
- He visited Pakistan and was welcomed by the President at the airport.
- In 1955, he went to Jakarta, Indonesia. People there gave him a wonderful welcome. The mosque was full, and over a quarter of a million Muslims listened outside. They stood until dawn, listening to his voice.
- He also traveled to South Africa. When he arrived, journalists from radio and TV interviewed him.
- In India, he attended a big religious ceremony. People there showed him great respect. They took off their shoes and bowed their heads. Many cried as he recited, which deeply moved him.
- He recited in famous mosques around the world. These included the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. He also visited mosques in Asia, Africa, the United States, France, and London.
Honours and Awards
During his travels, Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad received many honours and awards.
- In 1956, Syria gave him the Order of Merit.
- He received the Order of Cedar from Lebanon.
- He also got the Golden Medal from Malaysia and medals from Senegal and Morocco.
- In 1959, he received a Medal from the Prime Minister of Syria.
- The Prime Minister of Malaysia gave him a Medal in 1965.
- He received the Order of Merit from the Senegalese President in 1975.
- In 1980, he was awarded the Golden Medal from Pakistan.
- The Pakistani President Zia-ul-Haq gave him the Order of Scholars in 1984.
- He received the Egyptian Radio Medal on its fiftieth anniversary.
- In 1987, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak gave him the Order of Merit. This was during a celebration for preachers.
- After his death, in 1990, he received his last honour from former President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak.
Illness and Passing
Later in his life, Abdul Basit suffered from diabetes. He also developed liver problems. These two conditions together made him very ill. He got hepatitis less than a month before he passed away.
He was admitted to a hospital, but his health got worse. His children and doctors suggested he travel to London for treatment. He stayed there for a week, with his son Tariq by his side. Tariq then asked to bring him back to Egypt.
Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 1988. His funeral was a very large event, both in Egypt and around the world. Ambassadors from many countries attended, representing their people. Kings and heads of state also came. This showed how much he was respected for his important role in spreading the message of Islam.
His surviving children were Yasir, Hisham, and Tariq. Yasir followed in his father's footsteps and also became a Qari. In 2006, a mosque named after him was opened in his home village of Armant in Luxor, Southern Egypt.
Images for kids
-
Abdul Basit Muhammad Abdus Samad
-
Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad with King Faisal bin Abdulaziz
