A Century On, Sheikh al-Sha’sha’i’s Voice Still Inspires
According to Egypt’s Sada El Balad newspaper, November 11 commemorates the death of Sheikh Abdul Fattah al-Sha’sha’i, one of the most distinguished Egyptian qaris whose melodic and heartfelt recitations remain deeply cherished across the Muslim world.
Born on March 21, 1890, in the village of Sha’sha in Egypt’s Menoufia Governorate, Sheikh al-Sha’sha’i memorized the Holy Quran before the age of 10 under the guidance of his father, Sheikh Mahmoud al-Sha’sha’i.
By 1900, he had completed memorization of the Quran and later traveled to Tanta to study tajweed at Al-Ahmadi Mosque under prominent scholars including Sheikh al-Bayoumi and Sheikh Ali Sabi’.
His reputation began to rise in Cairo’s Darb al-Ahmar district, where he became known alongside legendary reciters such as Sheikh Muhammad Rif’at, Sheikh Ali Mahmoud, and Sheikh Ahmad Nada.
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His fame flourished during a celebration marking the birth anniversary of Imam al-Hussein (AS), where listeners were captivated by what they described as “the sweetness of his voice and the humility of his delivery.”
Sheikh al-Sha’sha’i initially refused to recite through microphones, believing their use to be impermissible. However, following a fatwa in 1934 permitting it, he joined Egyptian Radio as its second qari after Sheikh Muhammad Rif’at.
He recorded more than 400 recitations for the station, many of which are still broadcast today.
In 1939, he was appointed qari of Cairo’s Sayyida Nafisa and Sayyida Zaynab mosques. In 1948, he became the first to recite the Quran through loudspeakers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. He later recited in Iraq in 1954, 1958, and 1961.
Sheikh al-Sha’sha’i received numerous honors from Egypt’s Ministry of Awqaf, including the First-Class Medal of Science and Arts in 1990. He passed away on November 11, 1962, at the age of 72, leaving behind a lasting legacy of devotion to the Quran and a son, Sheikh Ibrahim al-Sha’sha’i, who continued his father’s path.
What follows is what is described as the only video of al-Sha’sha’i in Cairo in 1958.
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