When Christians Demanded Resumption of Sheikh Rif’at’s Recitation at Quran Radio
On this occasion, Egyptian daily Youm7 in a report has pointed out how Egyptians, even the country’s Christians, loved to listen to Sheikh Rif’at’s Quran recitations
During his lifetime, the renowned qari was friends with many Coptic Christian priests and figures and many Christian artists have on various occasions spoken about their interest in listening to his recitation.
Egyptian Christians were so fond of his recitations that they once protested against Quran Radio after he decided to end his cooperation with the radio station.
Sheikh Rif’at made the decision in 1939 due to a disagreement with the radio’s officials.
It caused a wave of protests from Christians and the Coptic Church itself called on the radio to ask the qari to reconsider his decision, according to Luis Grace, a famous Christian journalist in Egypt who was the editor-in-chief of the daily Sabah al-Khayr.
He said the country’s Christians were especially fond of the qari’s recitation of Surah Maryam of the Holy Quran
Grace noted that with his enthralling recitations that touched the hearts of Egyptians from all faiths, Sheikh Rif’at played a role in strengthening national unity.
The legendary qari also played a major role in encouraging Egyptians of all faith to take part in the popular revolution against British colonialists in 1919, he added.
Muhammad Rif’at was born in Cairo’s Maghriblin district in 1882. 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 entire Holy Book by heart before he was ten. Muhammad also learned the rules of Tajweed in a few years.
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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 Adhan (call to prayers) and was considered the best Muezzin. He recited the Adhan so beautifully that many embraced Islam after hearing his Adhan.
Sheikh Muhammad Rif’at passed away on May 9, 1948, after a long illness, but his outstanding Quran recitations remain inspiring long after his death.
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