Biography of Sheikh Hassan Saleh

Sheikh Hassan Saleh, full name Hassan bin Saleh Hamid (الشيخ حسن بن صالح حامد), is a world-renowned Imam and Quran reciter (Qari) celebrated for his profoundly emotional and distinctive style of recitation that has touched the hearts of millions across the globe. His voice, characterized by its unique blend of humility, sorrow, and deep reverence, creates an immersive spiritual experience, making the verses of the Quran accessible and moving for listeners of all backgrounds. He serves as the Imam and spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of Maspeth (Masjid Dar Al-Dawah) in Queens, New York, where he has cultivated a vibrant and devout community. Sheikh Hassan Saleh’s major accomplishment lies in his global influence through the digital dissemination of his Quranic recitations, which have become a source of comfort, guidance, and inspiration for Muslims worldwide, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

Early Life and Education

Sheikh Hassan Saleh was born on July 3, 1970, in a humble village within the Mahmudiyah district of the Beheira Governorate in rural Egypt. Raised in a religious family, his spiritual journey began at a very young age. Following the traditional path for aspiring Quran scholars in Egypt, he was enrolled in his village’s kuttab (a local Quranic school), where he dedicated his childhood to memorizing the Holy Quran. Under the guidance of his local Sheikhs, he completed the memorization of the entire Quran. Recognizing his exceptional talent and passion, he pursued higher Islamic education, specializing in the sciences of the Quran. He formally studied and mastered the Ten Qira’at (the ten canonical methods of Quranic recitation), earning an ijazah (a license to teach and recite) that certified his mastery and connected his chain of transmission back to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His education was deeply rooted in the traditional, rigorous methods of Quranic scholarship, which shaped his meticulous and soul-stirring approach to recitation.

Career and Leadership

After completing his studies, Sheikh Hassan Saleh began his career leading prayers in various mosques in his native Egypt, where his reputation as a gifted reciter started to grow. Seeking to serve a broader community, he immigrated to the United States around 2003. Soon after his arrival, he was appointed as the Imam of the Islamic Center of Maspeth (Masjid Dar Al-Dawah) in Queens, New York. This marked a significant milestone in his career. At the center, he not only leads the five daily prayers but also the special Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers during Ramadan, which draw thousands of worshippers from across the New York metropolitan area. His international fame skyrocketed with the advent of social media and video-sharing platforms. Congregants began recording his powerful and tearful recitations during Ramadan nights and uploading them to YouTube. These recordings went viral, introducing his unique style to a global audience. Millions were captivated by the raw emotion and spiritual depth in his voice, leading him to become one of the most listened-to Qaris of the modern era. While he has not founded large-scale organizations, his leadership at Masjid Dar Al-Dawah has transformed it into a landmark institution for spiritual reflection in New York City. He is frequently invited as a guest reciter at major Islamic conferences and events across North America and around the world, where his presence is a major draw for attendees.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Hassan bin Saleh Hamid (حسن بن صالح حامد)
Date of Birth	July 3, 1970
Age	55
Birthplace	Beheira Governorate, Egypt
Gender	Male
Occupation	Imam, Quran Reciter (Qari)
Education	Memorization of the Quran, Mastery of the Ten Qira'at
Known For	His deeply emotional and unique style of Quran recitation; Imam of the Islamic Center of Maspeth, NY

Career Timeline

1970

Born

in a rural village in the Beheira Governorate of Egypt.

Late 1970s / Early 1980s

Quranic Education

Began his Islamic education at the local kuttab, where he memorized the Holy Quran at a young age.

1990s

Mastery of Qira'at

Dedicated himself to advanced Quranic studies, mastering the Ten Qira'at and receiving his ijazah (certification). He began leading prayers in various mosques across Egypt.

Mid-2000s

To Present – Global Recognition

His fame grew exponentially as recordings of his powerful Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers were shared online. His recitation of Surah Yusuf, in particular, became a viral sensation, touching millions of listeners.

2000s

Mid

Serves as the resident scholar for the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City [13].

Present – Continued Leadership and Influence

Continues to serve as the Imam at Masjid Dar Al-Dawah, lead prayers that attract large crowds, and inspire a global audience through his widely available digital recordings. He also accepts invitations to lead prayers and recite at major Islamic events internationally.

Philosophy and Views

Sheikh Hassan Saleh’s approach to Islam is deeply traditionalist and spiritually centered. His primary focus is on connecting people directly to the word of Allah through the art of recitation (Tarteel). He believes that the Quran, when recited with proper tajwid (rules of pronunciation) and sincere emotion, has a divine power to penetrate the heart and transform lives. His “dawah” or call to Islam is non-political and universally appealing. He avoids engaging in controversial or divisive socio-political debates, preferring to unite Muslims through the shared love for the Quran. His sermons and reminders are typically focused on core Islamic principles: sincerity (ikhlas), repentance (tawbah), love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and preparing for the hereafter. There are no notable public controversies associated with him, as his public persona is entirely dedicated to his role as a spiritual guide and master reciter.

Personal Life and Challenges

Sheikh Hassan Saleh maintains a private personal life. He is married and has a family, and he resides with them in New York. The primary challenge he faced was immigrating to a new country and establishing himself as a community leader while adapting to a different culture. He overcame this by dedicating himself entirely to serving the Muslim community through the Quran. In the community, he is perceived as exceptionally humble, approachable, and pious. Worshippers at his mosque describe him as a man of few words whose character is best understood through his profound connection to the Quran during prayer. Despite his global fame, he maintains a simple lifestyle, focused on his duties as an Imam and a family man. His legacy is not one of material accomplishments but of the spiritual atmosphere he creates and the countless hearts he has moved closer to Allah.

Legacy and Impact

Sheikh Hassan Saleh’s primary legacy is his unique and influential recitation style. He revived a form of deeply emotional recitation that resonates powerfully with the human condition, reminding listeners of both the majesty and mercy of Allah. For many, especially younger Muslims living in the West, his recordings have been a gateway to developing a personal and emotional relationship with the Quran. His impact is global and digital. Through platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and other streaming services, his voice has entered homes, cars, and headphones on every continent. The institutions that continue his work are not just physical mosques but the vast digital archives of his recitations, which will continue to inspire generations to come. He is remembered as “the crying Imam” or the reciter whose voice makes the heart tremble, a testament to his success in conveying the profound emotional weight of the divine message.