Ali Jaber

Personal life

Birth and early life Ali Jaber was born in August 1954 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, along with his twin brother Salem. At the age of 5, he and his family moved from Jeddah to Medina, where he began learning the Quran. His father, Abdullah ibn Saleh, died in Medina when Ali Jaber was 11 years old.

Postgraduate education After obtaining his first university degree, Ali Jaber pursued postgraduate studies at the Higher Institute of the Judiciary, in Riyadh, affiliated with Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, he enrolled in the Master's program in the academic year 1396-1397 AH.

He completed his master's degree with distinction, presenting a thesis the Department of Comparative Jurisprudence titled: in the Comparative Jurisprudence Department. He later earned his doctorate in 1987, with a thesis titled: .

Career as a lecturer After completing his master's degree at the Higher Institute of Judiciary, Ali Jaber was offered a judgeship at the Maysan Court in Taif, which he declined for personal reasons. Although the Ministry of Justice exempted him from judicial duties, it initially required him to serve in an administrative role. He refused an appointment as an administrative inspector in Mecca, but the Ministry persisted in its assignment. Eventually, King Khalid intervened, releasing Ali Jaber from the obligation to the Ministry of Justice and appointing him as a lecturer at the College of Education, King Abdulaziz University in Medina.

Travels

Throughout his life, Ali Jaber travelled to several countries, including Canada, Pakistan, Japan where he visited Islamic center in Tokyo.

Visit to Canada in 1983, Ali Jaber travelled to Ottawa, the capital of Canada, for a scientific trip and remained there for 8 months. Despite suffering from health issues, he recorded the entire Quran in his voice at a recording studio in Canada, at the request of the Saudi Cultural Attaché at the time. The original copy of that registration was delivered to King Saud University in Riyadh. He led the worshippers to prayers there for two years. When King Khalid arrived at Mecca on the 20th night of Ramadan 1401 AH (1981), he recalled Ali Jaber's recitation, having heard him lead the tarawih prayers during the first 20 nights of Ramadan at the Khalidiya Palace Mosque in Taif. As a result, Ali Jaber was ordered to lead prayers at the Masjid al-Haram from the 23rd night of Ramadan until the end of the month. His recitation was well received by the worshippers, and he then was officially appointed as an Imam of Masjid al-Haram, at the age of 27.

Student and Legacy One of Ali Jaber's notable students was Salah Ba'uthman, who later served as a guest imam at the Masjid al-Haram in 2016. His recitation style has often been described as closely resembling that of his teacher, and some listeners regard Ba'uthman’s delivery as a continuation of Ali Jaber’s distinctive approach.

King Khalid's recognition

Rahmatullah Qari, accompanied by Ali Jaber, often visited Taif to meet Prince Saud and Prince Saad, sons of Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz. During these visits, the princes would request Ali Jaber to recite verses from the Quran. On one occasion, he was invited to lead the Maghrib prayer at the Khalidiya Palace Mosque in Taif. King Khalid was reportedly pleased with Jaber's recitation and later invited him to the palace, where he honoured the visitors.

Death

Ali Jaber died after an illness at Bugshan Hospital in Jeddah on 14 December 2005. His funeral prayer was held at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca on 15 December after the Asr prayer, led by Saleh al-Talib. A second funeral prayer was led by Muhammad Ayyub.

He was buried the same day in the Al-Sharayea cemetery in Makkah.

Footnotes