Listening to the Holy Qur’an is one of Islam’s many wonders which to this day continues to produce many benefits. Unlike other religious scriptures, the Quran is a profound phenomenon which can transform hearts through its recitation and listening. Many studies have found that listening to the Holy Qur’an can have positive and remedial effects on one’s physical and mental well-being. One such study divided a group of those suffering from anxiety into two groups: one prescribed to listen to the Holy Quran whilst the other received normal routine care. In conclusion, the researchers found that there was an improvement in depression, stress and anxiety levels for those that were instructed to listen to the Quran recital.
The benefits are endless. From spiritual nourishment to relieving body aches and pains, listening to the Holy Qur’an has long been a phenomenal way to connect with the words of Allah.
Today the world is replete with excellent reciters – also known as Qaris – with all of them mesmerising listeners around the globe. To simplify things for you, we’ve lined up five of the best reciters in the world that we think you should start listening to right away:
Shaykh Bandar Baleela
Born in Makkah in the year 1975, Shaykh Bandar Baleela was fortunate to have had many talented teachers from a young age. After completing the memorisation of the Quran as a child, Shaykh Baleela went into gaining an undergraduate degree, a masters degree as well as a PhD from the Islamic University of Madinah. Today, Shaykh Baleela is one of the official Imams of Masjid Al-Haram and was appointed the position by a royal decree in 2013
Shaykh Yasser Al-Dosari
Renowned for his melodious and soothing voice, Shaykh Yasser Al-Dosari has been serving as one of the official Imams of Masjid Al-Haram since 2019. Ranked as one of the most influential figures in society by Insan magazine, Shaykh Yasser continues to inspire students as an Associate Professor at King Saud University.
Shaykh Raad Mohammad Al Kurdi
Hailing from Kurdistan in Iraq, Shaykh Raad is a notable Qari who primarily serves as an Imam at the Imam al-Shafi’i Mosque in Kirkuk, Iraq. He also performs the Taraweeh prayers at the Ahmad al-Habbai Mosque in Dubai during the month of Ramadhan. Since he was a child, Shaykh Raad has participated in and won many Quran competitions. What’s more, he was only 15 years of age when he landed his first job as an Imam at the Imam al-Shafi’i Mosque in Kirkuk.
Shaykh Noreen Muhammad Siddiq
Loved by Muslims across the world, Shaykh Noreen was a Sudanese Qari who sadly died in a car accident in 2020. Memorising the Quran at the age of 17, he went on to study under multiple scholars for twenty years. For many years until his death, Shaykh Noreen offered his services as a Qari in mosques in and around Khartoum.
Shaykh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais
No list of Quran reciters is complete without Shaykh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais! Inspiring and nourishing Muslims around the world, Shaykh Sudais stands as the Head of the Imams at Masjid Al-Haram. Memorising the Quran at the tender age of 12, Shaykh Sudais eventually completed his Doctorate in Islamic Shariah and is now the President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. One of the most likeable Qaris in the world, masses from around the world flock to Masjid Al-Haram to listen to him live.
