Secrets of a Timeless Voice.. “Al-Wasiyya” Team Reveals Sheikh Mohamed Refaat’s Illness
The creators of the documentary “Al-Wasiyya” unveiled emotional stories about Sheikh Mohamed Refaat, including rare Quran recitations and the tragic illness that silenced his legendary voice.
In an evening where art met spirituality, TV host Mona El-Shazly welcomed the creators and cast of the documentary “Al-Wasiyya,” shedding light on the life of Sheikh Mohamed Refaat, one of the most iconic Quran reciters in history. The episode revealed rare recordings of his recitations discovered more than 76 years after his passing.
Actor Mohamed Fahim, who portrayed Sheikh Refaat, explained that the sheikh’s story is a powerful human drama, stressing that the Quran was not merely his profession but his entire existence. Losing his voice meant losing his soul, creating a deep psychological struggle.
Fahim added that Refaat lived through his recitation, and once his voice failed him, he entered a painful phase, as the Quran was his world and identity.
His granddaughter, Hanaa Hussein, revealed that the sheikh suffered from recurring hiccup attacks that abruptly cut his breathing and voice, making live radio recitations nearly impossible, especially as the condition worsened over time.
She explained that despite his illness, he continued reciting at Al-Darb Al-Gammamiz Mosque out of loyalty, but doctors prescribed soda as treatment, believing it would calm the attacks, while it actually intensified his condition.
Fahim noted that the treatment was outdated and incorrect, as Sheikh Refaat had a tumor on his vocal cords, and soda gradually weakened his voice instead of curing it.
Director and writer Mohamed Saeed Mahfouz added that Refaat suffered from a laryngeal tumor and stopped reciting completely between 1942 and 1950. His absence went unnoticed because radio broadcasts of his recitations were reduced despite his popularity.
By 1948, his health and finances deteriorated significantly, prompting journalists to raise funds for his treatment. However, Sheikh Refaat refused the donations, stating that a Quran reciter should not be humiliated and that healing comes from God alone. His only wish was for his recitations to be broadcast more widely until his passing in 1950, leaving behind an immortal voice.
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