# Sheikh Muhammad Ayyub (1952 – 2016)

> Qari and Imam of the Prophet's Mosque · Mecca, Saudi Arabia

- Known for: Qari and Imam of the Prophet's Mosque
- Born: October 1952, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
- Died: 16 April 2016, Medina
- Place: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
- Fields: Religion, Education
- Page: https://people.rohingya.ro/people/muhammad-ayyub/

## Summary

A Rohingya Qari and scholar of the Quran who, in 1990, was appointed Imam of the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi) in Medina, a historic achievement for a Rohingya. Born in Mecca in 1952 to a family of Rohingya refugees who had fled persecution in Arakan, he grew up in hardship, memorized the Quran by the age of 13, and earned master's and doctorate degrees in Tafsir and Quranic sciences at the Islamic University of Madinah, where he later joined the faculty. He was known for his emotional, clear and deeply spiritual recitation.

## What he did

- **1952** — Born in October in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to a family of Rohingya refugees who had fled persecution in Arakan. His early life was marked by hardship and poverty.
- **By age 13** — Had memorized the Quran, under the guidance of Sheikh Khalil Al-Qari.
- **Studies** — Studied in Medina: a bachelor's degree in Sharia, then master's and doctorate degrees in Tafsir and Quranic sciences from the Islamic University of Madinah, where he later became a faculty member.
- **1990** — Appointed Imam of the Prophet's Mosque (1410 AH), a historic achievement for a Rohingya.
- **1997** — Held the post until 1997, then served as Imam of Quba Mosque until his final years.
- **2015** — In Ramadan he was again appointed to lead the Taraweeh prayers at the Prophet's Mosque, a moment of honour for Rohingya Muslims worldwide.
- **2016** — Died in Medina on 16 April. His funeral prayer was held in the Prophet's Mosque, and he was buried in Al-Baqi Cemetery.

## Biography: A Rohingya voice in the Prophet's Mosque

Muhammad Ayyub was a renowned Rohingya Islamic scholar, Qari, and Imam, best known for his powerful recitation of the Quran and his service as an Imam of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina. He was one of the most respected Rohingya figures in the Islamic world.

He was born in October 1952 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to a family of Rohingya refugees who had fled persecution in Arakan (Rakhine State), Burma. His early life was marked by hardship and poverty. Despite this, he memorized the Quran by age 13 under the guidance of Sheikh Khalil Al-Qari.

He pursued higher Islamic studies in Medina, earning a bachelor's degree in Sharia, followed by master’s and doctorate degrees in Tafsir and Quranic sciences from the Islamic University of Madinah, where he later became a faculty member.

In 1990 (1410 AH), Sheikh Ayyub was appointed Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, a historic achievement for a Rohingya. He held the position until 1997, then served as Imam of Quba Mosque until his final years. In Ramadan 2015, he was again appointed to lead Taraweeh prayers at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, a moment of honor for Rohingya Muslims worldwide.

He was known for his emotional, clear, and deeply spiritual recitation, widely listened to and loved across the Muslim world. He followed the Hanafi school of thought and was deeply connected to classical Islamic scholarship.

Sheikh Muhammad Ayyub passed away on 16 April 2016 in Medina. His funeral prayer was held in the Prophet’s Mosque, and he was buried in Al-Baqi Cemetery.

He is remembered not only as a great Qari and scholar, but as a proud Rohingya who reached the highest levels of Islamic leadership through knowledge, perseverance, and sincerity.

## Photographs

- ![Photograph of Sheikh Muhammad Ayyub](https://people.rohingya.ro/photos/muhammad-ayyub-2.webp) (Wikipedia, Muhammad Ayyub)

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From Rohingya Famous People, https://people.rohingya.ro/people/muhammad-ayyub/ (updated 2026-11-04)