Evening

A poem written by the famous Imam al Busiri of Egypt in veneration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

1. Muhammadun ashraful a’rabi wal ajami 
Muhammadun khayri man yamshi ‘ala qadami 
Muhammad – noblest of the Arabs and the non-Arabs 
Muhammad – best of all those who walk upon two feet 

2. Muhammadun baasitul ma’ruufi jaami’uhu 
Muhammadun saahibul ihsaani wal karami 
Muhammad – most expansive giver of all good things 
Muhammad – the master of excellence and generosity 

3. Muhammadun taaju rusliLlahi qaatibatan 
Muhammadun saadiqul aqwaali wal kalimi 
Muhammad – crown of the Messengers of God, without exception 
Muhammad – in speech and word the one most true 

4. Muhammadun thaabitul meethaaqi haafizuhu 
Muhammadun tayyibun akhlaaqi wash-shiyami 
Muhammad – utterly reliable in keeping truths 
Muhammad – whose character and qualities are excellent indeed 

5. Muhammadun ruwiyat bin nuuri teenatuhu 
Muhammadun lam yazal nuuran minal qidami 
Muhammad – his substance watered by light 
Muhammad – a light still shining from before eternity 
 
6. Muhammadun haakimun bil ‘adli dhu sharafin 
Muhammadun ma’dinul in’aami wal hikami 
Muhammad – fair and wise in judgement, the noble one 
Muhammad – source of kindness and wisdom 
 
7. Muhammadun khayru khalqiLlahi min Mudarin 
Muhammadun khayru rusliLlahi kullihimi 
Muhammad – finest of God’s creation, who came from Mudar 
Muhammad – of all God’s Messengers the best  
 
8. Muhammadun deenuhu haqqun nadeenu bihi 
Muhammadun mujmilan haqqan ‘ala ‘alami 
Muhammad – his creed is true, by it we profess our faith 
Muhammad – eminent, the embodiment of truth

9. Muhammadun dhikruhu rawhun li anfusina 
Muhammadun shukruhu fardun ‘alal umami 
Muhammad – to mention him brings refreshment to our souls 
Muhammad – praising him is a duty upon all peoples 
  
10. Muhammadun zeenatud dunya wa bahjataha 
Muhammadun kaashiful ghammaati waz dhulami 
Muhammad – the beauty of the world and its splendour 
Muhammad – who lifts the veils of darkness and distress 
  
11. Muhammadun Sayyidun taabat manaaqibuhu 
Muhammadun saaghahur Rahmaanu bin ni’ami 
Muhammad – a master, whose virtues bring delight 
Muhammad – the Most Merciful fashioned him from grace 

12. Muhammadun safwatul Baari wa kheeratuhu 
Muhammadun taahirun min saa’irit-tuhami 
Muhammad – the flower of the Creator, and His elect 
Muhammad – pure beyond all suspicion 

13. Muhammadun daahikun lid dayfi mukrimuhu 
Muhammadun jaaruhu wallahi lam yudami 
Muhammad – smiling and cheerful to his guest to honour him 
Muhammad – by God, no neighbour of his was ever wronged! 
 
14. Muhammadun taabatid dunya bi bi’thatihi 
Muhammadun jaa’a bil ayaati wal hikami 
Muhammad – this world was made delightful by his being sent 
Muhammad – he came with signs and with wisdom  
 
15. Muhammadun yawma ba’thin naasi shaafi’una 
Muhammadun nuuruhul haadi minaz dhulami 
Muhammad – our intercessor on the Day mankind is resurrected 
Muhammad – whose light is the guide out of darkness 
  
16. Muhammadun qaa-imun liLlahi dhu himamin 
Muhammadun khaatamun lir rusli kullihimi 
Muhammad – dedicated to God, he of the highest aspiration 
Muhammad – the Seal of the Messengers, every one of them.

Evening

Adam Jeffery