Harmonies of the Heart:
A Collection of Nasheeds
The main objective of bringing these Anthology of Arabic and Urdu poems on Islam and its illustrious preacher Prophet Muhammed (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), is to place them within the reach of such English-speaking people as take a keen interest in the faith of Islam and its propagation.
Qasida Burdah
In the anthology of Arabic poems, the Qasida Burdah has had a great impact upon the history of the qasida genre as a whole. No other Arabic poem has been more frequently recited, translated, imitated or commented upon in so many languages of the Islamic world.
Chapter One: The Love for the Messenger of Allah
In this chapter Allamah Busiri ؓ speaks of his love for The Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He tries to conceal this love and who his beloved is. For this reason, he has not mentioned the name of The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, directly in the whole chapter. By mentioning places and things close to Madinah, he alludes to The Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Due to this excessive love and devotion for The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he has become completely restless, thus exposing this love to everyone.
Chapter Two: Restraining Lust and Carnal Desires
Allamah Busiri ؓ mentions two reasons for restraining of lust and carnal desires. Firstly, a person falls in love due to lust and carnal desires. After mentioning love in the first chapter, he now mentions restraining lust and carnal desires. He also mentions that his entire life has been spent in sin. He sincerely regrets what he has done and repents to Allah ﷻ. Secondly: Restraining lust and carnal desires is essential for gaining love for The Messenger of Allah ﷺ. The love which has for The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, is a pure love and can only be attained by purifying oneself of lust and carnal desires.
Chapter Three: The Praises of The Messenger
After claiming his love in the first chapter, and how to attain it, in the second Allamah Busairi ؓ begins the praises of The Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He openly declares his love and shows the great qualities and prefect character of The Messenger of Allah ﷺ. While showing his love he also shows the unrestricted and unlimited love which Allah ﷻ has ability Allamah Busairi ؓ has for The Messenger of Allah ﷺ. When Allah ﷻ has praised the beloved Prophet ﷺ, then why should he and all of us also not try to excel in our praises and love for The Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Chapter Four: The Birth of the Holy Prophet
Allamah Busiri ؓ in this chapter speaks of the birth of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. In the previous chapter his praises were mentioned. The blessed day on which the Holy Prophet ﷺ was born is a praiseworthy event. The birth of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, illuminated the entire universe. Some miracles and incidents which took place at the time of birth are mentioned in this chapter. These were signs of the greatness of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.
Chapter Five: The Blessedness of the Invitation (Calling towards Islam) of The Messenger
Allamah Busiri ؓ in this chapter speaks of the Blessedness of the Invitation (Calling towards Islam) of The Messenger
Chapter Six: The Glory of the Holy Qur’an
Allamah Busairi ؓ describes the miracle of the Holy Qur’an. Every miracle of all the other prophets was only temporary and was only witnessed by those who were present at that time. The Holy Qur’an is that everlasting miracle which is witnessed by all people for all time to come. Allamah Busairi encourages people to recite the Holy Qur’an and act upon its commands.
Chapter Seven: The Prophet’s ﷺ ascension to the Heaven
Allamah Busairi ؓ writes this poem in chronological sequence concerning the life and mission of the Prophet ﷺ. After praising the Prophet ﷺ and mentioning his birth, he discusses the invitation of the Prophet ﷺ toward Allah ﷻ. With the first wahi the prophethood of the Prophet ﷺ is proclaimed. In this chapter, Allamah Busairi speaks of the miraculous journey (Mi’raj) of the Prophet ﷺ to the seventh heaven. On this journey, the Prophet ﷺ passed the Sidratual-Muntahaa and was taken to such close proximity to Allah ﷻ, where no other creation had ever gone or will ever go again. Allamah Busairi ؓ shows that the Prophet ﷺ superseded every other creation in rank. From this, one can gauge the Prophet’s ﷺ exalted status
Chapter Eight: The Jihad of the Holy Prophet ﷺ
Up to the time of Mi’raj the Prophet ﷺ and the Sahabah Radiyallahu Anhum were living in Makkah. In the thirteenth year of prophet hood, they were commanded by Allah ﷻ to perform migration (hijrat) to Madinah. After establishing an Islamic state in Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ was given permission by Allah ﷻ to declare holy war (Jihad) against the infidels (Kuffar). By means of jihad and tabligh, Islam became the dominant religion. Allamah Busairi in this chapter discusses the jihad of the Prophet ﷺ, as well as his unflinching faith and trust in Allah ﷻ. He also discusses his unparalleled bravery, heroic feats and spirit of sacrifice for the Religion (deen) of Islam by both the Prophet ﷺ as well as the Sahabah Radiyallahu Anhum
Chapter Nine: Seeking Forgiveness from Allah ﷻ and Intercession by the Holy Prophet ﷺ
After discussing the life of the Prophet ﷺ, his perfection and exalted status Allamah Busairi ؓ in this chapter seeks forgiveness from Allah ﷻ through the intercession and Waseela of the Prophet ﷺ. Allamah Busairi ؓ says that his life was wasted in sin and disobedience, he regrets his misdeeds and turns towards Allah ﷻ seeking forgiveness and repentance. He uses this poem as a Waseela through the Prophet ﷺ to gain acceptance in the court of Allah.
Chapter Ten: Concerning the Seeking of Salvation and the Requisition of Necessities
After repenting Allamah Busairi ؓ now takes refuge in his for The Messenger of Allah as a means for his salvation. Due to his sins, he is deserving of Allah’s punishment but wishes and hopes that through the intercession and assistance of The Messenger of Allah he will receive salvation. His only hope is to love The Messenger of Allah and gain his intercession. Allamah Busairi ؓ ends this poem by conveying Durood and Salaams upon The Messenger of Allah, his family, Khualafa-e-Rashideen and his Sahabah ؓ. He also concludes with a Du’a to Allah ﷻ to forgive him, the reciter and all the people who are a means of propagating this poem. May Allah accept this effort and include us all amongst his pious servants, Ameen
Many more Nasheeds
The book contains many more nasheeds in Arabic and Urdu. Translation for many of the nasheeds are included in the book.
Blessed Mantle
The Chamber of the Blessed Mantle houses the latticed silver canopy under which the Blessed Mantle and the Holy Banner of Muhammad ﷺ are kept in their golden chests in the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul
Verse from the Burdah on the Lock of the Blessed Door of Sayyida Fāṭima al-Zahrāؓ at Al-Masjid Al-Nabawī
هُوَ الْحَبِيبُ الَّذِي تُرْجٰى شَفَاعَتُهُ لِكُلِّ هَوْلٍ مِّنَ الأهْوَالِ مُقْتَحِمِ
He is Allah’s most beloved, whose intercession is hoped for every fear and distress that is going to come on the day of agony and fears
“The primary aim of presenting these Anthology of Arabic and Urdu poems on Islam and its esteemed Preacher, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is to make them accessible to English-speaking individuals who have a keen interest in the Islamic faith and its dissemination.”
Syed Mohiuddin Qadri
CEO
Watch, Read, Listen
Join 900+ subscribers
Stay in the loop with everything you need to know.