Qasidat al-Burda Thread

[Mujib]

As-Salamu `alaykum

A thread dedicated to one of the greatest and most famous poems ever written in praise of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace): Imam Sharaf al-Din al-Busiri's (or al-Busayri) (ra) al-Kawakib al-durriyya fi madh khayr al-bariyya, known throughout the world as Qasidat al-Burda. Insha'Allah, everyone can add audio links, articles and other related material to this thread.

AL-BURDA:
THE PROPHET'S MANTLE

Composed by:
IMAM AL-BUSIRI
Rahmatullahi 'Alaih

An Appreciation by Siddiq Osman Noormuhammad

The Burda, or the Prophet's Mantle is a qasida (hymn) composed by the great Sufi Shaykh Imam Sharafuddin Muhammad Al-Busiri Rahmatullahi 'Alaih who was born in Misr (Egypt) in 608 A.H. (1212 C.E) and died in 695 A.H. (1296 C.E). He was a disciple of Imam Abu'l 'Abbas al-Mursi Rahmatullahi 'Alaih who was a Khalifa of Imam Abu'l Hasan ash-Shazili Rahmatullahi 'Alaih.

He composed the Burda while suffering from a stroke which had paralysed half of his body. After praying to Allah Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala to heal him, he fell asleep and in his dream recited this qasida to the Holy Prophet Sayyidina wa Mawlana Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam who touched the paralysed part of his body and threw his mantle (Burda) over him. On arising, he was miraculously cured, the news of which spread far and wide. Hence the qasida came to be called Qasida tu'l Burda and received veneration among all Muslims as a qasida especially approved by the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam. Its verses are often learned by heart and inscribed on the walls of public buildings. It is congregationally recited in the majalis (spiritual gatherings) of the Zaakireen (those who remember Allah Ta'ala) all over the world. It cures diseases as well as purifies hearts if recited with love and devotion.

More than 90 commentaries have been written on this qasida and it has been translated in Persian, Urdu, Turkish, Berber, Punjabi, English, French and German, among other languages.

The Burda is in 10 parts and has 160 verses all of which end in the Arabic letter Meem, hence it is a "Meemiyya". The 10 parts of the Burda are about

1. Love for Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam
2. A warning against the desires of the nafs
3. Praise of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam
4. Events occuring on his birth
5. His miracles
6. Praise of the Glorious Qur'an
7. The "Isra" and "Mi'raj" of the noble Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam
8. His battles
9. Repentence, asking forgiveness of Allah Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala and seeking intercession of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam
10. Supplication to Allah Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala

Reproduced here are verses 34 to 42 from Part 3 in praise of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him. The translation is by Thoraya Mahdi Allam.

PRAISING THE HOLY PROPHET
Blessings and Salutations
of Allah be upon him

Muhammad, leader of the two worlds
and of Man and the jinn,
Leader also of the Arabs and
non Arabs and their kin.
Our Prophet, Commander of right,
prohibits evil's way,
Yet no one's speech more gentle could be
than his nay or yea.
Beloved by Allah is he upon
whose pleading we depend
From terrors of the Day of Judgement,
which on us descend.
He summoned people unto Allah,
they to him did adhere,
And clung fast to the rope that none
could ever rent or tear.
In morals and features
he, all prophets did exceed,
None could approach his knowledge,
or his bounty e'er precede.
And thus from Allah's Apostle
they acquired and did gain,
A handful of the vast sea
or a sip of gen'rous rain.
So other prophets in their rightful place
before him stand,
Regarding knowledge and the wisdom
that they understand.
He perfect is in traits concealed,
and features bright and clear,
And Man's Creator chose him
as His most beloved and dear.
Too far above all men is he
to have a partner who
Has equal qualities, because
the essence of virtue
That in him lies is indivisible,
and wholly true

http://www.iqra.net/Qasseda/al-burda.htm

[Mujib]

Qasida Burda Sharif - Pashto Translation (http://www.khyber.org/islam/qasidaburda.shtml)

[Mujib]

BBC - Religion & Ethics - al-Burda (http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/features/al_burda/)

al-Burda

In June 2002 Britain strengthened its claim to be a thriving multiculture, as London saw the launch of a new translation of the Burda, an Arabic Poem honouring Islam's Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

The pioneering ArRum club in Clerkenwell was host to Hamza Yusuf, the translator of the poem, as well as the Fez singers who performed the poem. The global popularity of the poem is reflected in the production of a new translation available on CD: translated in California; Calligraphed in Washington DC; sung and recorded in Fez; graphic designed in rural Essex; mixed and mastered in London and Cambridge; printed in Istanbul and bound in Ankara!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/features/al_burda/hamza_yusuf.jpg
[Shaykh Hamza Yusuf]

Introduction by Hamza Yusuf & Abdullateef Whiteman (http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/realmedia/religions/islam/intro.ram)
Quran Preface (Q.33.56) (http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/realmedia/religions/islam/quran.ram)
On Lyrical Love - section 1 of al-Burda (http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/realmedia/religions/islam/part_one.ram)

The poem joins a vast body of literature in praise of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that emerged from an Islamic culture where seeking knowledge of him was encouraged. Imam Al-Busiri both acknowledges this and the shortcomings of describing the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the poem itself.

He is like the sun, small to the eye when seen from afar,
But when glimpsed close up. It dazzles and overwhelms.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/features/al_burda/fez_singers.jpg
[Fez Singers]

The famous Mamluke minister Ibn Hinna, who served under the legendry sultan, Barbys, took Imam al-Busiri under his patronage and freed him to write his poems in material security. However, art often suffers when the artist is freed from suffering, and comes to life when calamities call. His greatest poem would result from a powerful tribulation: he woke up to find he was paralysed; half his body without movement. Suddenly, this man, whose erudition and art had elevated him to the status of prince of poets of his time, was reduced to an invalid unable to rise from his bed. This state of affliction stirred him to write the Burda. Centuries later the poem is still able to move listeners to tears. Imam al-Busiri himself related the experience.

'... I began to contemplate writing a poem in the qasida form, and soon after, I did so as a way of interceding by it with the Messenger of God to God, the Exalted, hoping that he might heal me.

'I was repeating it often, singing it, calling upon God through it, and seeking intercession with it. During that time, while sleepling, I saw the Prophet, upon him and his family be prayers and peace. He wiped over my face with his blessed hand and thrust upon me his cloak. I immediately got up and left my house. I had told no one of my poem nor of anything I had been doing prior to that.

'On the road, I met a fellow spiritual wayfarer, who said to me, "I want you to give me a copy of the poem you wrote in praise of the Prophet, upon him be prayers and peace."

'I responded, "which one?"

'He said, "The one you wrote during your illness."

'He then recited its opening lines saying, "By God, I heard it in a vision last night recited in the presence of God's messenger, upon him and his family blessing and peace. It greatly pleased the prophet, and I saw him thrust his cloak on the one who wrote it!"

'I provided him with a copy, and he began telling others of his vision. Thus its news spread far and wide.''... I began to contemplate writing a poem in the qasida form, and soon after, I did so as a way of interceding by it with the Messenger of God to God, the Exalted, hoping that he might heal me.

'I was repeating it often, singing it, calling upon God through it, and seeking intercession with it. During that time, while sleepling, I saw the Prophet, upon him and his family be prayers and peace. He wiped over my face with his blessed hand and thrust upon me his cloak. I immediately got up and left my house. I had told no one of my poem nor of anything I had been doing prior to that.

'On the road, I met a fellow spiritual wayfarer, who said to me, "I want you to give me a copy of the poem you wrote in praise of the Prophet, upon him be prayers and peace."

'I responded, "which one?"

'He said, "The one you wrote during your illness."

'He then recited its opening lines saying, "By God, I heard it in a vision last night recited in the presence of God's messenger, upon him and his family blessing and peace. It greatly pleased the prophet, and I saw him thrust his cloak on the one who wrote it!"

'I provided him with a copy, and he began telling others of his vision. Thus its news spread far and wide.'

Imam al-Busiri died in Alexandria, Egypt in the year 1295 CE. His grave is well known and is connected to a large mosque. His poem embellishes its walls. The Burda was also engraved on the Prophet's mosque in Madina, upon its inhabitant be the best of prayers and peace. There it adorned its walls and reminded believers for centuries before being erased by people who could not comprehend it. There is still one line left that has not been removed:

He is the beloved whose intercession is hoped for
As arms against a host of relentless calamities.

[Alouddin]

hamza yusuf is quite an intelligent scholar, no?

[Mujib]

Sandala -- The Burda of al-Busiri (http://www.sandala.co.uk/)

THE BURDA
______________________
Introduction
The Book
Audio Samples
Hamza Yusuf
The Fez Singers
Mohamed Zakariya
Translations
Radio Promo
Reviews

[Mujib]

POEM OF THE CLOAK
The Burda of Imam Busiri

As the dark forces of the world set about their global dance of death and the world awaits their next fandango with baited breath, others have been busy engaged in creative and life-affirming pursuits, working to show that some people are still motivated by love, art and truth. Depending on what planet you reside you may or may not have noticed the release this last summer of a new translation of The Burda, or the ‘Poem of The Cloak’ of Imam Sharafuddin Busiri, the famous classic Arabic poem in passionate praise of the exalted and esteemed rank of the Prophet of this time, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, the one of God’s creatures most deserving of praise.

This translation by well known Californian educator and lecturer Hamza Yusuf had been two years in incubation and drawn in a multitude of contributors to produce something that they hoped would honour both the author of the poem and the subject of its ardour. When asking around for someone to review this new production, I realised that as the producer, I knew more about this production than anyone else and would be best equipped to write about it albeit subjectively.

I first heard excerpts from the Burda around thirty years ago when I first visited Morocco. At the great moussems of singing in Fez at the time of the Mawlid there was always one special poem that I wondered at, whose verses all ended in “…mi”(like hashemi or lamami). When I enquired what this poem was I was told it was the Burda. Apart from its wondrous tunes, I got to know little else about it except the fact that it was always sung at festivals, weddings and at special occasions. I had also heard that there is one verse in it that if sung, would forgive all your worldly misdemeanours, both past and future. I still don’t know which verse it is.

Over the last five years there has been a welcome rebirth of interest in the Burda, not so much from the traditional lands of Islam where its recitation has never ceased, but in the communities of Muslims in the West where now groups of men and women regularly recite it from Banglatown in the East End of London to the coast of California and this has fed into these communities a new kind of appreciation of just what prophetic praise is for. Abdal-Hakim Murad points out that people overlook the fact that that praising the Prophet is a divine command set in the Quran from before the beginning of time and is not some kind of voluntary nafila (supererogatory prayer). The pertinent ayat of Quran states that “God and his Angels praise the Prophet, O you who believe praise him with an abundant praise.” This ayat is always read before the Burda to contextualise the intention behind the recitation.

Hamza Yusuf set about translating the Burda for reasons he gives in his introduction in that wherever he travelled in the Muslim world he always found this pervading presence of Imam Busiri’s poetry and how its verses were always on someone’s tongue. The poem, written some 700 years ago - an almost exact halfway post in time between now and the beginning of Islam - has shaped cultures, communities and its language all around the Muslim lands. It is a living testament to the power of the Arabic language and of Busiri’s poetry that it has sustained and survived the changing and challenging history of 700 years. But it is no myth that it has powerful and miraculous healing properties, so much so that one of its names is al-Bur’a, “the healing.” Much of this and the stories of its inception were quite new to me at the outset of this project and rather like Rumi’s elephant, newcomers seem to approach it from many different angles.

The Burda keeps popping up in history as a kind of motif of the prophetic presence in our many cultures and among the diverse Muslim peoples of the world. To an Arabist, the exalted poetry is what speaks across this vast stretch of time. An artist might come upon one of the many beautifully calligraphed texts which reside in museums around the world and be drawn into its meanings. It also adorns the interiors of many mosques and buildings including even the Prophet’s mosque in Medina. My own first encounter with the Burda was more of a musical nature as I have said. It was the stunning Moroccan Andalusi singing style that hit me so powerfully on first hearing, as only a one thousand year old oral singing tradition can. The meaning of the words and why it was so important came much later.The Prophet himself, peace and blessings be upon him, had a great love of poetry but part of his secret as a Prophet was that it was not appropriate, as the Quran indictaes, for him to be a reciter or a writer of poetry. But often he would ask for poetry to be recited in his presence. Hamza Yusuf likens the power of poets in the Arab lands of the Prophet’s and Imam Busiri’s time to the power of advertisers in our present age and this explains why lines from the Burda have become so enmeshed in the Arabic language over history. Poetry has always been sung in the Muslim lands whether it be in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Tamil, Chinese etc., and the Burda is no exception. Its style of singing has always reflected the best of the local indigenous cultures. So in Senegal its music will have threads of Mandinka, in Morocco it will be Andalusi, in Turkey it will be in the Ottoman maqams and so on. Personal taste therefore plays a large part in which style appeals to whom. I personally believe that the rich Andalusi musical forms are most accessible to the western musical ear, though this is not to demean the many other beautiful styles from around the world. It is for this reason that the Burda recording we released last summer is the Moroccan version. Although there are plans to release a future Burda production that will reflect all the different styles of its performance and calligraphy, we began with the Moroccan version because in a way it is the most elaborate and magnificent rendition, rather like the exotic interior of the Alhambra Palace in Granada whose rooms must once have echoed to its singing.

There is so much surrounding the Burda and its author still to be uncovered that it is not too far-fetched to imagine one day an Institution of Burda Studies being established in a western University. Both McGill University in Montreal and the University of Indiana in the US already conduct courses devoted to the Burda. Personally I am convinced that it can open the door for westerners to an ocean of understanding and possibilities about the power of poetry, music and other arts and how it can transform societies and cultures, especially their own.


Q-News Article page 1 (http://www.sandala.co.uk/qnewsarticle.html)

[Mujib]

Borda (Tunisian rendition of the Burda) (http://www.deenport.com/subsections/downloads/hits.php?filefile=files/Borda.rm.zip&downloadid=29)