18/11/2025
Overview of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif
Al-Azhar Al-Sharif stands as the oldest and most authoritative centre of Islamic scholarship in the world, a beacon that has preserved sacred knowledge for more than a thousand years.
From within its halls emerged jurists, Qur’an masters, linguists, theologians, and scholars who carried the light of the Qur’an across the globe.
The Sheikh of Al-Azhar
The Sheikh of Al-Azhar is recognised by the consensus of scholars as the Imam of the Muslims, a principal authority in major intellectual and religious matters, and a voice of clarity in times of confusion.
His position embodies an unbroken scholarly legacy refined by centuries of rigorous learning.
Al-Azhar University
The world’s oldest university teaching both religious and worldly sciences.
Its graduates include jurists, Qur’an reciters, physicians, engineers, and specialists across all fields.
Without Al-Azhar, the schools of Islamic jurisprudence would have diminished, Arabic would have weakened, and the sciences of the Qur’an would have been lost.
Al-Azhar Institutes
The Azhar institute system is the largest Islamic educational network in the world, raising students from early childhood to postgraduate levels, combining Qur’anic study, Arabic, creed, ethics, and modern sciences.
Al-Azhar’s Role in the Ummah
Al-Azhar has:
• Preserved the Qur’an and its readings
• Protected the Arabic language
• Stood against extremism
• Sent scholars to every continent
• Established global leadership in fatwa and interfaith dialogue
It remains the intellectual and moral conscience of the Muslim Ummah.
Selection of the Imams of Al-Azhar Mosque
The appointment of an imam at Al-Azhar Mosque is a highly selective and rigorous process.
Key criteria include:
• Perfect memorisation of the Qur’an and its readings
• A world-class voice trained in maqāmāt
• Deep mastery of jurisprudence, creed, and tafsīr
• Dignity, composure, and scholarly presence
• A verified and respected reputation
The essential requirement:
he must be among the finest Qur’an reciters in Egypt and the entire Islamic world, for his voice is heard and followed globally.
Al-Azhar Mosque appoints only ten imams—an elite group representing the highest calibre of Qur’anic reciters and teachers.
⸻
Concise Biography of Sheikh Riḍā Al-Suweifī Al-Azharī
Personal Details
• Name: Riḍā Muḍṭahar Muḥammad ‘Abdel-Jawwād Al-Suweifī
• Nationality: Egyptian
• Date of Birth: 23 October 1980
• Residence: Egypt
Qualifications
• Specialised Certificate in Qur’anic Readings and Sciences, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif (2009)
• Fully proficient in the ten minor and ten major readings
Positions
• Imam of the Qiblah at Al-Azhar Mosque
• Certified head of a Qur’anic reading circle (Muqra’ah)
• Teacher of Qur’anic readings at Al-Azhar
• Imam, khatīb, and professional Qur’an reciter
Qur’anic Ijāzāt (Chains of Transmission)
He holds advanced ijāzāt in the ten minor and major readings through leading authorities, including:
• Sheikh Ramadan Hassan Mabrouk
• Dr Sa‘īd Ṣāliḥ
• Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Al-Qaysī
• Sheikh Muhammad Jamāl Al-Dālī
• Sheikh Muṣṭafā Muhammad Riḍā
All with connected chains reaching Sheikh ‘Āmir Al-Sayyid ‘Uthmān, Chief of the Egyptian Qur’an Reciters.
⸻
Important Note for Ijāzah Candidates
Any student receiving an ijāzah and connected sanad from Sheikh Riḍā Al-Suweifī does so under official review and strictly in accordance with the regulations of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif regarding the authentication of Qur’anic isnād and certification.
⸻
🕌✨🎉 GREAT NEWS FOR OUR COMMUNITY & STUDENTS 🎉✨🕌
The Minhaj Al-Azharī Foundation proudly announces its official two-year partnership with:
His Eminence Sheikh Riḍā Al-Suweifī Al-Azharī
One of the finest imams of Al-Azhar Mosque,
one of the leading Qur’an reciters in the world,
and a holder of one of the closest uninterrupted chains of transmission to the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ.
His Eminence will lead our foundation towards becoming—by Allah’s grace—
a global Azhar branch, from which future centres and institutes will expand worldwide.
And among Allah’s blessings upon you:
Your children will now be daily students of His Eminence,
a world-renowned master of Qur’an and its readings,
and a bearer of an elevated sanad reaching the Prophet ﷺ.
Rejoice, give thanks, and proclaim the greatness of Allah for this noble gift.
