Khalil Al-Qari

Khalil bin Abd al-Rahman al-Qari (1939 - 3 September 2018) was the Sheikh of the Imams of the Two Holy Mosques, and is considered one of the founders of the modern Qur’anic renaissance.

Khalil Al-Qari was born in Muzaffarabad in 1940, and studied under Sheikh Muhammad Suleiman in Lahore, and under the reciter Anwar Al-Haq. He memorized the Qur’an from Sheikh Fadl Karim, then he studied the Qira’at on the Qura’a of Pakistan. In Pakistan he worked as a radio presenter in the Muzaffarabad region.

In 1963 he immigrated to Mecca, and studied at the Bin Laden Mosque and the Masjid al-Haram. He taught at the Grand Mosque, and the Al-Arqam Bin Abi Al-Arqam Institute in Al-Safa. Then he moved to Madinah, and was appointed a teacher at the Madinah Institute of the Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, where he settled and devoted himself to teaching the Qur’an. Muhammad Ayyub – One of the closest students who accompanied Khalil Al-Qari for years since childhood. He became Imam of Prophet's Mosque, Quba Mosque and various other mosques in Medina. Ali Abdullah Jaber – A former Imam of Masjid al-Haram. Also one of the closest students between Khalil Al-Qari. Mohammad Al Subail – A former and long standing Imam of Masjid al-Haram. Muhammed Khalil al-Qari – His son and former Imam of Masjid Quba. Mahmoud Khalil Al-Qari – Another son and Imam of Masjid al-Qiblatayn. Ahmad Khalil al-Qari – Another son. He led at various mosques in Madina including Masjid al-Qiblatayn. Mohammed Abid – Previous Imam of Masjid Nabawi and Masjid Quba. Ahmad Talib Hamid – Former Imam of Masjid Nabawi. Mishari Rashid al-Afasi – The famous reciter and Imam of the Grand Mosque in Kuwait.

Death He died on Monday 23 Dhu al-Hijjah 1439 AH (corresponding to September 3, 2018), in Medina, at the age of 78, and was buried in Al-Baqi Cemetery.