Editor
By Abdul Bari Masoud
Jaipur FEB 7,2023: During a grand international Qirat performance organized by Jamea-tul-Hidaya at its campus (called Wadi Hidayat), Egyptian Qari Sheikh Harak mesmerized the audience with his melodious style, breath control, and unique emotional and engaging tone. Even in severe cold, his recitation of Quran echoed with the sounds of Subhan Allah and Allah Akbar and refreshed the memory of his compatriot late Abdul-Basit ‘Abdus-Samad who is known for his ‘Golden Throat’ and ‘Voice of Heaven’ due to his melodious style.
The audience was in a state of spiritual rapture as a result of the guest Egyptian Qari’s artful performance, and the entire marquee was presenting a moving scene. Qari Sheikh Harak recited the Holy Quran for about an hour in different styles as Qari Basit was known for reciting Quran in seven styles.
Generally speaking, the Egyptian Reciting School” quartet of El Minshawy, Abdul Basit, Mustafa Ismail, and Al-Hussary is regarded as the most significant and well-known Qurra’ of contemporary times to have had a significant influence on the Islamic world. Sheikh Harak is aptly following this legacy.
It is a wonder of the Qur’an that its recitation is a source of heavenly pleasure, a catalyst for heart change, and a joy to hear, and this was vividly mirrored in the Valley of Hidayat when the Egyptian and Indian Qaris were demonstrating their art of recitation.
We are all gathered here to hear the verses of the Holy Quran, which is the guidance book for all humanity until the end of the world, said Maulana Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rahim Mujjadi, Chancellor of Jamiat-ul-Hidayah and Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, in his welcome speech on the occasion.
According to Maulana Mujaddadi, the Qaris, Huffaz of the Qur’an, and the Qur’an experts are evidence that Allah Ta’ala has assumed responsibility for preserving this Qur’an on His own behalf.
The Qur’an is safe in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people, and it should be noted that translations, interpretations, and works of the Qur’an have been produced in all languages of the globe. This is the first book in the entire globe whose verses have been kept in Huffaz’s hearts.
The Prophet (peace be on him) encouraged his companions to recite the Quran in a beautiful voice. Al-Bara’ bin Azib reported him as saying: “Beautify the Quran with your voices.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi)
The word Quran here means the recitation of the Quran.
There are several incidents in the seerah, when the Prophet (peace be on him) asked companions to recite as he enjoyed hearing the words of the Quran recited. One such incident is when he praised Abu Musa Al Ashari’s recitation, drawing a parallel between his melodious voices with that of Dawood (peace be on him) who was renowned for his enchanting voice.
Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said to him:
“You have been given a Mizmar (sweet melodious voice) out of the Mazamir of Prophet Dawud (David).” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Maulana Mujaddadi further said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught the Companions the meanings and knowledge of the Holy Qur’an and also taught them the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
He stressed that the Holy Quran is a book of guidance and that having love for, attachment to, and devotion to it is a sign of being a Muslim and a part of our faith. Every believer has a desire for the teaching of the Quran, its reading, its publication, and its recitation, as well as for listening to the Quran. He also exhorted to read the Qur’an with its meaning in order to know what Allah wants from believers.
Maulana Mujaddadi continued by highlighting the goals, purposes, and services of Jamea-tul-Hidayah. A powerful movement and educational mission to reform the curriculum are being carried out by the institution, he added, which is the realisation of the aspirations of the great spiritual leader Hazrat Maulana Shah Muhammad Hidayat Ali Naqshbandi Mujaddadi. It’s time for a radical shift, where students are taught both traditional and modern sciences, as well as technical and professional education. This became the life’s work of his son, Maulana Shah Muhammad Abdur Rahim Naqshbandi Mujaddadi. He spent 15 to 20 years interacting with madrasa headmasters, Islamic scholars, and intellectuals to make this curriculum possible.
Later, he made the decision to found his own modern institution and proceeded forth with all of his might, zeal, and sincerity. Maulana Abul Hasan Nadwi’s benevolent hands brought it into existence on December 8 and 9, 1985, and regular education started there in 1986.
He added that the curriculum has been balanced in a way that does not negatively impact either religious or secular education.
A large marquee was set up in the spacious grounds of the Jamea for the Jalsa-e-Qiraat
Apart from Harak Misri, Sheikh Abu Zar ghafari, Riyaz Ahmad Nadwi Darul Uloom Nidwat Ulama Lucknow, Qari Muhammad Irshad Qasmi, Darul Uloom Deoband, Qari Siddique Falahi and , Qari Abdul Aziz Falahi Gujarat, Qari Hidayatullah Furqani won the hearts of the audience with their recitations.
