Muezzin of Makkah’s Grand Mosque Sheikh Ibrahim Al Madani Passes Away

Web Desk 

MAKKAH: Sheikh Ibrahim bin Adel Al Madani, one of the recognised muezzins of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, passed away on Monday after an illness, leaving behind a distinguished legacy of service to Masjid Al Haram and the call to prayer.

News of his death was met with an outpouring of condolences from worshippers, religious figures and people associated with the Two Holy Mosques. Tributes shared online included recordings of his distinctive adhan, which had become familiar to Muslims who followed prayers from the Grand Mosque.

Sheikh Ibrahim performed the Fajr adhan at Masjid Al Haram on Monday, hours before his death, making it his final call to prayer from the sacred mosque. Saudi media reports said he had been receiving treatment for an illness, although further details about his condition were not publicly disclosed.

Born in Madinah in 1976, Sheikh Ibrahim was raised in a religious family. His grandfather, a memoriser of the Holy Quran, played an important role in his early spiritual upbringing. He later studied Qur’anic Studies while maintaining a strong connection with the mosque and the tradition of the adhan.

His service as a muezzin began at the age of 15 when he started calling the adhan at a neighbourhood mosque in Madinah. He initially shared the responsibility with three other local muezzins. After completing his college education, he temporarily left the role because of teaching commitments outside Madinah. He later resumed his service in 1428 AH (2007–08), when he was invited to serve as a muezzin at Masjid Al-Maddah.

In 1439 AH (2017–18), Sheikh Ibrahim was formally appointed as a muezzin at Masjid Al Haram, marking the beginning of his service at one of Islam’s holiest sites.

He was among the 24 principal muezzins serving at the Grand Mosque. Six muezzins rotate each day to perform the calls to prayer for the five daily prayers and the first call for Fajr. Sheikh Ibrahim was particularly recognised for his Fajr adhan, takbirat and his role in tabligh, through which the imam’s takbirs and movements are conveyed to worshippers.

His upbringing in Madinah also gave him familiarity with the traditional Madinan style of the adhan, while his visits to Makkah exposed him to the distinctive Makkan tradition. During those visits, he became acquainted with Sheikh Abdul Latif Mulla, a former muezzin of the Grand Mosque and a friend of his grandfather.

In an interview featured on the Ashraqat podcast, Sheikh Ibrahim recalled the emotional experience of giving his first adhan at Masjid Al Haram. He said he was deeply moved when he saw worshippers performing tawaf around the Kaaba while listening to his voice.

The experience, he recalled, brought him to tears and made him reflect on the honour and responsibility of having his voice carry across the sacred mosque. His final Fajr adhan on Monday was followed by news of his death later the same day. Recordings of the call were widely shared following the announcement, prompting tributes from worshippers and admirers.

His funeral prayer was scheduled to be offered after Asr prayer at Masjid Al Haram, with reports stating that he would be buried at Al-Mualla Cemetery in Makkah.

Sheikh Ibrahim Al Madani’s journey from calling the adhan as a teenager at a neighbourhood mosque in Madinah to serving as a muezzin at Masjid Al Haram spanned decades of dedication to the sacred tradition. His family, fellow muezzins and worshippers mourn his death, while his final Fajr adhan at the Grand Mosque will remain a memorable part of his service.