RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم

The very first Al Maqasid (2014) was a powerful experience.  Set in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania, it was a spiritual awakening for people new to such experiences, and a deep revival for old hands.

In a moment before one of the evening sessions, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus asked me to sing something in Urdu.  Before I could begin, he asked me to share the refrain with everyone, and translate it for them. I shared the refrain of a very famous Urdu naat by Ustadh Muzaffar Warsi, "Tu Kuja Man Kuja" (Translation and transliteration of the refrain is shared below. A full translation and transliteration of these words that had everyone swaying, can be found at https://naderkhan.com/discography/water/ ).

There was something very special going on in this moment - everyone was as if drunk in the love of the Prophet (ﷺ).  After I shared the refrain, nobody had to encourage anyone to join in - it was a spontaneous eruption of love, where everyone sang together.  People of every conceivable racial background were swaying back and forth singing in Urdu, in love of the Prophet.  Some were weeping in longing.  Others were smiling ear to ear in celebration.

I am very grateful to have shared this beautiful moment with them.  And I am very grateful to Sidi Ahmed Zaman for having the presence of mind to capture it, and to Sidi Mohammad Najeeb Ahmed for sharing it with me.

If you listen carefully, you can clearly make out voices of Shaykh Yahya Rhodus, Maulana Abdurrahman, Shaykh Muhammad Adeyinka Mendes, and others.

My wife had a creative epiphany and suggested I try out a specific Yemeni tune for this Naat.  I played around with it for a couple of weeks, decided to sing it here.  Those who've heard others reciting it will find this rendition to be *very* different - I hope they still like it.

A studio version of this track is available on the WATER album (rel. 2015), on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, etc.

This was the longest I'd spent translating *any* Urdu naat.  I found it exceedingly difficult, and I couldn't have done it without my wife and superhero manager Dr. Bano Murtuja.

---
Tu Amir-e-Haram, mae faqir-e-ajam
Tere gun, aur yeh lab, main talab hi talab. 
Tu ataa hi ataa, mae khata hi khata
Tu kuja man kuja, tu kuja man kuja

You: The Leader of the sacred sanctuary, Me: the needy of the ignorant.
Your praise and these lips? I crave and crave. 
You give and give. I err and err.
O, where are you, and where am I! O, where are you, and where am I!

Urdu original by Muzaffar Warsi
Translation © Nader Khan & Bano Murtuja 2013, All Rights Reserved

Image of the Prophet's tomb and mosque from http://alfatihoun.edaama.org/

Nader Khan -- "Where Are You, and Where Am I" -- Al Maqasid Retreat

Our beloved Muhammad upon him peace. Our beloved Muhammad upon him peace. 

What power do I have over myself? What about me is from me?
 
Why about rizq for what? When the Creator is sustaining me 

He continues to cover me always. so glory to Allah, the Wise, the Knowing. 

I have no power or strength. Except by the Great and High Lord.

I was born completely naked. Not knowing this or that. 

The protection of Allah the Very Generous. And He gave food to my soul. 

Milk running constantly. We eat and drink. 

And He made the earth a spread. And the sky a ceiling built above. 

What power do I have over myself? What about me is from me? 

Why about rizq for what? When the Creator is sustaining me

Glory be to the One who engulfed us with His bounty. Upon us to Him, praise and gratitude is obligatory. 

He is ever generous with us with His goodness, giving us from the heavens and the earth. 

The earth is the spread of Allah. And I am in the Kingdom of Allah. 

The creation are the dependents of Allah. And I am one of the creations of Allah.

Sustenance is on Allah. We eat from the sustenance of Allah. 

What should I be worried about? My portion will doubtlessly reach me.

Source: NBIC Dhikr Book - 3rd Edition

Al Fiyyashiya

Shaykh Muhammad Ba’Shuaib (May Allah protect and preserve him).

Li taybatin - Shaykh Muhammad Ba’Shuaib

I don't recall *exactly* when it was, that I heard this Urdu Na'at in praise of The Beloved of God, May God bless him and give him peace, during in my childhood.  I do remember being very young, and in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in my parents' home.  I also remember that it was being rendered by a person who became my absolute favourite Na'at reciter later in life - the late Hazrat Khursheed Ahmed, may he be enveloped in Divine Mercy.

This was my earliest memory of an introduction to the tradition of praising the Prophet, Sall Allahu 'alaihi wa sallam.  This na'at remains one of my all-time favourite ones to this day.  I hope you all like it too.

This particular recording was recorded live at blessed evening in November 2009, at the Ta'leef Collective in Fremont California.

::: For booking inquiries, please contact bookings@naderkhan.com :::


khusravi achhi lagi na sarvari achhi lagi
hum faqiron ko madinay ki gali achhi lagi
-----We neither liked kingship nor did we like leadership,
-----For us faqirs, we only liked the alleyways of Madinah.

Dur thay to zindagi bay rang thi, bay kayf thi
Unkay Kuchay mein gae to, zindagi achhi lagi
-----When we were distant, our lives were devoid of colour or meaning 
-----Upon arriving at the narrow lanes of his neighbourhood, our life is more likeable.

mae na jaaun ga kahin bhi dar nabi ka chhodh kar
mujh ko ku-e-Mustafa ki chaakri achhi lagi
-----I will never go anywhere, abandoning the Prophet’s threshold.
-----I’ve found joy in serving the streets of Mustafa.

naaz kar tu aye Halima, sarvar-e-kawnayn par
gar lagi achhi to teri, jhopdi achhi lagi
-----Gloat, O Halima, over the Master of both universes
-----Of all the mud huts, it is yours that he liked most.


Nader Khan - Madinay Ki Gali

Recorded at SeekersHub (<a href="http://SeekersHub.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://SeekersHub.org</a>): Nader Khan singing "Balaghal Ula Bi Kamalihi"&#13;
A translation of the first verse reads:&#13;
"The destinations are not distant from anyone,&#13;
Nor is it a matter of proximity&#13;
It ennobles whomever it wishes to&#13;
Such is the matter of the Beloved's threshold."&#13;
&#13;
For a full English translation, see http://naderkhan.com/2011/12/02/nader-khan-singing-balaghal-ula-bi-kamalihi/

Nader Khan: Exaltation Through Perfection [Balaghal Ula Bi Kamalihi]

Qasida Muhammadiyyah by Sheikh Alawi al-Maliki (ra) in Makka

Qasida Muhammadiyyah By Sheikh Alawi Al - Maliki (ra)

Qasida Burda Recited By Sheikh Muhammad Alawi Al - Maliki (ra) In Makka

Qasida Burda Recited By Sheikh Muhammad Alawi Al - Maliki (ra)

JAN 26/2012 :: Nader Khan ( http://naderkhan.com ) singing "Jashné Amadé Rasül" at the weekly gathering of Celebrating The Beloved : Praising The Prophet, at SeekersHub ( http://SeekersHub.org/ ), every Thursday at 8:30PM. The gathering is also webcasted live through SeekersHub's online classroom. For more information, check ( http://SeekersHub.org/programs )

The Emissary Comes [Jashné Amadé Rasül] is a Naat that is almost never missed out on in Mawlid gatherings during Rabi' Al Awwal - the month of the birth of the Prophet, peace be upon him.

Celebrate the arrival of the Emissary
The delicate flower of Lady Aminah

Truth: There's no deity besides The One God
There's no deity besides The One God

As our master was about to arrive
The maidens and attendants of paradise started to cheer
Amina, upon seeing him, began to smile
Even Eve and Mary joined in the celebration
Lady Amina announced to all:
"The prayer's been accepted."

When the face of Mustafa was finally unveiled 
The stars became concealed, and the moon shied away
Rays of light spread in all directions, overpowering everything
Having Mustafa among us gave our lives meaning
O Halima, in your lap has arrived
An Emissary to both worlds

Tunes of joy played everywhere
Songs of happiness were sung for all
"Sallay 'Alaa" echoed in all directions  
Today the Beloved of God is born
And Jibril himself then proclaimed to the universe:
"This is the Emissary of God"


For booking enquiries please contact bookings@naderkhan.com

Nader Khan - The Emissary Comes [Jashné Amadé Rasül]

Mawlid Mabrukations to all of you. Here's a gift for the 12th of Rabi' 1440 to all of you.

 This is an experimental recording, not exactly a polished studio finish.  Singers and drummers from multiple cities have worked it - Jason Labrecque from Montreal, me and The Blacksmiths (Faisal Shaheen and D Morisson) from Brampton, Abu Baker Al Kaff from Toronto, Ahson Ahmad from San Francisco, and Mikaeel Lateef from Seattle.

The Shaykh who composed the lyrics is Muhammad Ibn Yallis At-Tilimsani (1264–13461 H / 1847–1927 G), and this Qasida is very, very dear to me for many reasons.  I hope you enjoy listening to it and singing along with it, even more than I do every single time I sing it.

CHORUS:
صَلِّ يَا سَلامْ عَلَى الْوَسِيلَة
وَشَمْسِ الْاَنَامْ طَلْعَةِ لَيْلَ

Salli ya salam A’lall waseelah,
Washamsil anaam tal A’aati layla

Send blessings, O Source of Peace, upon the Intermediary
The Sun of mankind, Layla’s visage
_____

يَا سَاقِي الْعُشَّاقْ اَمْلَ الْكُوُوْسَا
مِنْ خَمْرِ الْاَذْوَاقْ يُحْي النُّفُوْسَا
حَضْرَةِ الِاطْلَاقْ اَبْدَتْ شُمُوسَا
مَحَتِ الرَّوَاقْ عَنْ وَجْهِ لَيْلَى

Ya Saqil Ushaaq amlil ku’oosaa
Min khamril adhwaaq yuHyinufusa
Hadratil itlaaq abdat shumoosaa
Mahatirawwaaq A’an wajhi layla

O cupbearers of the lovers, fill up the cups
with the wine of spiritual tastes that revives souls
From the Infinite Presence, suns arose
Effacing the passage away from Layla’s countenance
_____

مُبْتَغَى الْعُشَّاقْ حِيْنَ تَجَلَّى
فِيْ ذَاتِ الْخَلَّاقْ الْمَوْلَى جَلَّ
مِنْ بَحْرِ الْاِطْلَاقْ حِيْنَ تَجَلَّى
بِكُلِّ رَوْنَقْ جَمَالُ لَيْلَى

Mubtaghal Ushaaq heena taddalaa
Fi dhaatil khallaaq almawla jallaa
Min bahril itlaaq heena tajallah
bi kulli rawnaaq jamaalu layla

The lovers’ desire at the point of manifestation
In the Essence of the Creator: the Exalted Master
The Boundary of Infinity that was adorned
With every splendour, such as Layla’s beauty!
_____

صَاحَتِ الْاَطْيَارْ فَوْقَ الْمَنَابِرْ
وَفَاحَ الْاَزْهَار وَالرَّوْضُ عَاطِرْ
رَنَّتِ الْاَوْتَارّ وَالْحِبُّ حَاضِرْ
غَنِّ يَا خَمَّارْ بِحُسْنِ لَيْلَى

Saahaatil atyaar fawqal manaabir
Wa fahal azhaar wa rawdu aateer
Rannatil awtaar wal hibu haadheer
Ghanni ya khammaar bi husni layla

Birds carolled atop the pulpits 
Fragrances emanated from flowers and gardens
Strings resonated at the presence of the Beloved 
Sing! O wine keeper, of Layla’s beauty
_____

يَا عَيْنَ الْعُيُونْ ظَهَرْتَ جَهْرَا
بِجَمْعِ الْفُنُونْ كَاْساً وَخَمْرَا
زَالَتِ الشُّجُونْ طَابَتِ الْحَضَرَة
بِاسِّرِّ الْمَكْنُونْ مِنْ كَنْزِ لَيْلَى

Ya Aynal uyoon dhahrata jahraa
Bi jam’il funoon ka’san wa khamra
Zalatishujoon tabatil hadhraa
Bi siril maknoon min kanzi layla

O Fountain of Fountains, you appeared lucid
In every symbolisation, cup and wine
Sorrows disappeared, the Presence made sweet
By the concealed secret of Layla’s treasure
_____

اِبْنُ يَلَّسْ هَامْ لَمّا سُقِيَا
مِنْ خَمْرِ الْاَذْوَاقْ فَانِيْ بَاقِيَا
عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامْ خَيْرَ الْبَرِيَّة
مَا سُقِيَ الْمُدَامْ فِيْ حَيِّ لَيْلى 

Ibnuyalis-haam lamma suqeeya
Min khamril adhwaaq faani Baqeeya
Alaykas salaam khayral baariya
Ma suqiyal mudaam fi hayyi layla

Ibn Yallas was enraptured upon drinking
The wine of spiritual tastes, annihilated then subsisted
Upon you be peace, Best of Creation
For as long as this wine is drunk in Layla’s life
_____

Salli Ya Salam -- Nader Khan & The Blacksmiths & friends

Aj Sik Mitran Di Wadheri Ae

1. Ya Saiyidi Ya Rasulullah - Mutiara Qasidah Al-Imam Abdullah Bin Alawi Al-Haddad

Ya Saiyidi Ya Rasulullah

Ya Imam ar-Rusli  |  يا إمام الرسل يا سندي

This recording is the second in my #iPhoneStudio series.  It was recorded on an iPhone 5 placed about 12 inches away from me. The *only* postproduction that I've done on this is a fade-in and a fade-out.  Everything else here is intact from the original raw audio.

Again, a beautiful Naat expressing love and longing for the Beloved of God, peace be upon him.

I've included the lyrics and an attempt at translation below.

-----------------------------------------------------

Ya Muhammad Muhammad (SAW) mein kehta raha,
Noor kay motiyon ki ladi ban gaee,
Ayaton sey milata raha ayatayn,
Phir jo dekha to Naat e Nabi (SAW) ban gaye.

Jab chidah tazkira husn e sarkar ka,
Wad-Duha pad liya, wal-Qamar keh dia,
Sooraton kee tilawat bhi hoti rahi,
Naat bhi ban gayi baat bhi ban gayi.

Jo bhi ansoo bahe merey Mehboob kay,
Sab key sab abr e rehmat kay cheentay banay,
Chah gaee raat jab zulf lehra gaee,
Jab tabasum kiya chandani ban gaee.

Yeh to maana kay jannat hai bagh e haseen,
Khoobsoorat hey sab khuld ki sar zameen,
Husn e jannat ko phir jab samayta gaya,
Sarwar e ambiya ki galee ban gaee.

-----------------------------------------------------

O Muhammad, Muhammad, I chanted away,
The words turned into a string of luminous pearls.
And I I kept on reciting verse after the verse, 
It became a Prophetic description unfurled

When the topic arose of my master's beauty
I recited verses that begin with "the sun" and "the moon".
As chapters of the book were being recited away,
I got my poem praising him, and secured my salvation as well.

All the tears that flowed from my beloved's eyes
They became droplets from the rainclouds of mercy
It seemed night cast itself as his hair blew this way.
And when he smiled, it was moonlight itself.

Of course paradise is the garden of beauty.
How stunningly exquisite is the land of that world! 
But when the beauty of paradise was gathered together,
It became an alleyway that led to the Leader of The Prophets.

© Translation Copyright Nader Khan 2013, All Rights Reserved

Nader Khan [ #iPhoneStudio ] - "O Muhammad, Muhammad, I Chanted Away"

Qasida Muhammadiya (The Muhammadan Ode)  | قصيده المحمدية

Qasida Muhammadiya  | قصيده المحمدية

Haal-e-Dil Kis Ko Sunaye Aap Kay Hotay Huey
Kyun Kisi Kay Dar Pay Jaen Aap Kay Hotay Huey
Who else should I share my heart’s pain with, whilst you (saw) are with me?
Why should I go to any other’s doorstep, whilst you (saw) are with me?

Main Ghulam-e-Mustafa Hun Yeh Mery Pehchan Hai
Gham Mujhe Kyu Kar Sataaen Aap Kay Hotay Huey
I am the slave of the beloved prophet (saw), this is my honour, my identity!
Why should grief overcome me, whilst you (saw) are with me?

Mera Jeena Mera Marna Aab Ise Chokhat Pey Hai
Hum Kahan Sarkar Jaen Aap Kay Hotay Huey
My living and my death is upon this doorstep,
Where else should we go, O beloved, whilst you (saw) are with us?

Kaun Hai Altaf Apna Haal e Dil Kis Se Kahein,
Zakhm E Dil Kis Ko Dikhaen, Aap Kay Hotay Huey
Who is yours, O Altaf, who will you share your heart’s pain with,
Why should I show my wounded heart to another, whilst you (saw) are with
me?

حالِ دل کس کو سنائیں آپ ﷺ کے ہوتے ہوئے 
کیوں کسی کے در پہ جائیں آپ ﷺ کے ہوتے ہوئے 
میں غلام مصطفی ﷺ ہوں یہ مری پہچان ہے
غم مجھے کیوں کر ستائیں آپ ﷺ کے ہوتے ہوئے
میرا جینا میرا مرنا اب اسی چوکھٹ پہ ہے
ہم کہاں سرکار جائیں آپ ﷺ کے ہوتے ہوئے
کون ہے الطاف اپنا حال دل کس سے کہیں
زخم دل کس کو دکھائیں آپ ﷺ کے ہوتے ہوئے

Translation: Mevlana Thaman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ognt1d3Qk&ab_channel=KarimaFoundationKarimaFoundation

Please pray for the reciters and may the reward go to them for their moving rendition.

RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم

imy001