Quran Central
Faridah Mat Saman
Dato’ Paduka Hajjah Faridah Mat Saman is a legendary figure in the world of Quranic recitation, widely considered the most successful qari’ah in Malaysian history. Born in Temerloh, Pahang, Faridah Mat Saman achieved unprecedented success by winning the International Quran Recital Competition (Majlis Tilawah Al-Quran) a record-breaking eight times. Her victories spanned several decades, beginning in 1964 at the young age of 16, followed by wins in 1965, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1989, 1990, and 1991. Faridah Mat Saman inherited her vocal talent and interest in the Quran from her parents; her father was an imam, and her mother was a reciter for the Kelantan Palace. Faridah Mat Saman received her early training from her grandfather and later pursued non-formal studies at the Pondok Munduk in Thailand. Over the years, she refined her mastery of Tarannum (melodic recitation) under the guidance of renowned masters such as Tuan Haji Ahmad Ma’som and Datuk Haji Nik Jaafar, becoming an expert in the intricate Maqamat styles favored in the Malay Archipelago. In recognition of her immense contributions to the development of Quranic studies in Malaysia, Faridah Mat Saman was awarded the Panglima Jasa Negara (P.J.N.) in 2016, which carries the title of “Datuk.” Faridah Mat Saman has spent more than 50 years sharing her expertise, serving as a prolific teacher and mentor for generations of students in Kelantan and across the nation. Her influence on the evolution of Tarannum studies is so profound that scholars often categorize the history of Malaysian recitation into eras before and during her career. Faridah Mat Saman continues to be celebrated as a “national treasure” and a pioneer for women in Islamic scholarship. Despite her senior age, Faridah Mat Saman remains active in the community, occasionally appearing at national events as a guest of honor and continuing to conduct Quranic classes. Her legacy of excellence and her near-flawless technical precision continue to serve as the gold standard for aspiring qari’at worldwide, ensuring that the beauty of the sacred text is preserved for future generations. ---------- Support Quran Central and earn ongoing reward. Donate: https://qurancentral.com/donate/ ----------
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