Exceptional Features of Lahn in Shahat Muhammad Anwar’s Quran Recitations
Shahat Muhammad Anwar (1950-2008) had a flowing and smooth Lahn in Quran recitation that distinguished him from other Egyptian qaris.
His special Quran recitation style added to the spirituality of his recitations indeed. There are qaris who pay more attention to Lahn than Shahat but because of his graceful and elegant character as well as the Hozn (sorrow, sadness) in his voice, Master Shahat’s recitations have remained popular.
People’s taste and understanding of beauty differ from person to person. Their taste is affected by geography, culture, traditions, customs and moods. The moods of the qari and listener both affect how a recitation is received.
Quran recitations by Shahat are Hazeen. In order to describe a recitation as Hazeen there is a simple criterion. If you listened to a Quran recitation and it caused you to shed tears, it is Hazeen. In Hadiths, reciting the Quran with Hozn has often been emphasized.
Of course the verses that are about God’s mercy and blessing should create hope and joy in the listener but even hope and joy can be conveyed via Hazeen recitation.
If the reciter performs without feelings in his voice, his recitation would sound mechanical. Some feelings like fear, sadness, happiness, joy, hope, anger, kindness are internal but can be reflected in the recitation and Maseter Mustafa Ismail used this technique many times to convey meanings. Master Shahat, too, used this technique to convey the meaning.
For example, in his recitation of Surah Taha during a visit to Iran in 1990, when Master Shahat recited verses 45 and 46, “They said, ‘Lord, we are afraid of his transgression and rebellion against us’. The Lord replied them, ‘Do not be afraid; I Am with you all the time, listening and seeing,” he conveyed a feeling of hope and optimism.
Also in recitation of verses 36 and 37 of Surah Al Imran, he very beautifully conveys the feelings of Mary’s (SA) mother who had prayed that God give her a child: “When the baby was born she said, ‘Lord, it is a female.’ God knew this. Male and female are not alike. ‘I have named her Mary. I pray that You will keep her and her offspring safe from Satan, the condemned one.’ Her Lord graciously accepted the offer and made Mary grow up, pure, and beautiful. Zachariah took custody of her. Whenever he went to visit her in her place of worship, he would find with her some food. He would ask her, ‘Where did this food come from?’ She would reply, ‘God has sent it.’ God gives sustenance to whomever He wants without keeping an account.”
