A Visit from one of the Great Imams in the West: Sheikh Ahmed Saad al-Azhari

I was in a journey to Egypt to visit my family and more importantly my Shuyukh. Blessed more than what I thought, the journey was a big addition to me in many ways. Beside visiting the Cairo International Book Fair and getting quite nice and rare books from there, I had the chance of meeting my teacher Sheikh Shebl Matar (78 years old) and reading the narration of Qalun to him as well as the recitation of Hamzah Al-Kufi through Khalaf and Khallad all from Ash-Shatibiyyah. I have got Ijazahas from the Sheikh in these ways of recitation.

Besides, I met some of the eldest scholars of Tajweed and Qiraat in Egypt whose Isnad is considered to be of the highest; Sheikh Ali An-Nahhas who has read to `Amir `Uthman and Abder-Raziq Ahmed Al-Bakri and also narrates from his father Sheikh Muhammad Tawfiq An-Nahhas. I have got an Ijazah in Hafs from Asim and another Ijazah in Hadith from him.

I have also met Sheikh Abdel-Basit Hashim (Born 1928) and got Ijazah in Hafs from Asim and and in Al-Jazariyyah and At-Tuhfah from him. Sheikh Abdel-Basit is one of the highest Isnads in Egypt.

I have also met the blessed Sheikh Abdel-Fattah Madkoor (born 1932) who is the highest and strongest Isnad in Egypt nowadays. He read to Sheikh Ali Ad-Daba’ Sheikh of Egyptian Qurra and Sheikh Ad-Daba’ narrates from Ash-Sha`aar from Imam Al-Mutawalli. He also narrates highly from `Uthman ibn Sulayman Murad who narrates from Al-Jareesi Al-Kabeer.

I have got Ijazahs from the Sheikh in Hafs from Ash-Shatibiyyah and At-Tayyibah and an Ijazah in Matn As-Salsabeel Ash-Shafi which he narrates from the author directly and got an Ijazah in Manzoomat Qasr Al-Munfasil of Sheikh `Uthman Murad as well and Al-Jazariyyah as well.

With all these blessings, I have also had the chance to meet my brother and friend Sheikh Abu Shifaa Suhaib Webb al-Azhari whom I enjoyed the company of very much, he read to me Al-Jazariyyah and I gave him Ijazah in it as well as a general Ijazah. We also got an Ijazah from him in Shama’il At-Tirmidhi.

I have also met, by mere conincidence, Sheikh Yahya Hawwa one day when I was in the fair and it was a very nice and pleasant thing.

I also enjoyed the company of Br. Suhaib Saeed al-Azhari from Scotland who is studying Arabic at the moment in Egypt. May Allah bless all our Shuyukh and give them long life and benefit us with their knowledge.

—

check out his site here

You’ll have to search for the English articles