Roots and studies
Sheikh Saud Al-Shuraim comes from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. He memorised the Qur'an and studied the Islamic sciences, especially creed and jurisprudence, up to doctoral level. So he is not only a reciter but also a scholar who served as a judge and taught at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah. He has also written books and poetry.
Imam of the Sacred Mosque
In the early 1990s he was appointed imam and preacher of the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Haram) in Makkah. For around three decades he led prayers there and delivered Friday sermons. Many people especially remember the Ramadan nights in which he and Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais took turns leading the tarawih prayers – a pairing that, for a whole generation, is inseparable from Ramadan in Makkah.
His style
Al-Shuraim's recitation is unmistakable: his voice is deep and strong and at the same time clear. He reads at a flowing, fairly brisk pace, yet every word stays distinct and the rules of tajweed are cleanly observed. There is something firm and dignified in his recitation; it sounds serious and focused, carried by the calm of a scholar who has deeply internalised the text. His recordings of the whole Qur'an, both studio recordings and those from prayers, are widely available.
What you can learn from him
People who have already memorised the Qur'an, or who want to revise large portions, especially value Al-Shuraim. His flowing pace is ideal for revising longer passages as a whole without losing the thread. At the same time, he shows how to keep the rules of recitation even when reading at speed – a valuable lesson for everyone who reads a daily portion (wird) amid a busy life.
For beginners, it is a good idea to practise first with a slower reciter and then use Al-Shuraim for revision.
May Allah reward him for his long service at the Sacred Mosque and preserve him.