Nader khan

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

This track was recorded for the background of an upcoming fundraising video for Islamic Relief.
The poetry is from one of Pakistan's most famous contemporary Na'at composers, Hazrat Muhammad Ali Zahoori.  The tune is in the Arabic mode of Bayat.The rhythm and beat are unusual for the Western Ear - it's a 7/8, and is used in Indian and some Arabic music.
The beat had to be recorded live (I used a Nepalese Tribal Madal drum for this).

[NOTE: Booking requests are not processed through this website.  To book Nader Khan, please contact "bookings@naderkhan.com"]


Salam Upon The Prophet

📿 Daily Salawat Wird ~ ورد صلوات يومية

📿 Salawaat & Durood Wird •Repeated• ~ ورد صلوات متكرر

📿 🆕 Al-Wird Al-Lateef ~ Imam al-Haddad ~ الورد اللطيف
Masjid Noor-ul-Islam 
Weekly Shimmering Light Mawlid
Bolton

📿 Wird Al Latif ~ Imam al Haddad ~ الورد اللطيف

Mawlid Medley ~ مولد ميدلي
The Shimmering Light Weekly Mawlid
Noor-ul-Islam
Bolton

🆕 🎵 Mawlid Medley ~ ميدلي  ربيع مولد

After working on this selection of songs for six and a half years, I'm incredibly excited and grateful to be able to share them with you.  This album reflects a significant growth for me, as a singer and songwriter.  Combining my lyrics with those of my teachers, and drawing on diverse musical genres from Jazz, Blues and Hard Rock, to Arabic, Indian, Turkish and East African music, I have pushed myself way out of my comfort zone into unfamiliar genres and completely new territory as an artist.  I hope you enjoy listening to them even more than I did composing them, arranging them, and recording them.  

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WATER

100% OF THE SALES REVENUE FROM THIS ALBUM WILL GO TO WATERAID CANADA.

Until 2016, revenue generated will be directed specifically to their current project in the Monze region of Zambia. This project hopes to reach 42,000 people with access to safe water, and over 40,000 people with access to improved sanitation and hygiene education. Upon the completion of this project, WaterAid Canada will redirect any further funds from the sale of this album based on their expertise.

THIS PROJECT IS INTENDED TO BE A SADAQA JARIYA FOR ALL WHO PARTICIPATE INCLUDING ALL WHO PURCHASE THE CD. SOME KEY INDIVIDUALS INVESTED AS SADAQA JARIYA FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR LOVED ONES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Please make fatiha and send Salawat on the Beloved Messenger (peace be upon him) on behalf of; the Muslims of Edmonton Canada, The late Tahira Arif Hussain, Syed Hussain, Rabia Sultan, Abdul Majeed Khan, Ghulam Omer, Nayeem Unissa Begum, Syed Taher Mohamed, Sardar Begum, Haji Mohammad Hussain Bhatti, Mustafa Abdul Rahim Assaqqaf and Anonymous Donor.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Thanks go to my parents Nasir Mohammed Khan and Sultana Fatima, my parents-in-law Hafiz Muhammad Sagir and Nasreen Akhtar, my brothers Yasir and Zaker Khan, my sister-in-law Sufia Lodhi, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, Sidi Nazim Baksh, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir, Shaykh Muhammad Mendes, Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad, Shaykh Nuh Keller, Shaykh Tevfik Aydoner, Syed Mustafa Gilani, Sidi Muhtar Holland, Nermin Moufti, Umar Shahzad, Hamid Abdurrahim, Yasin Dusuroth, Tom Hamza Robertson, Mona Hayder, Mostafa Azzam, Sulayma Hassan, my niece Zara-Noor Khan, my children Nurah, Mustafa, Fatima and Zahra who get me to practice again and again, and my wife Dr Bano Murtuja - who has made all of this happen. A full list of Acknowledgements, Associate Producers and prayer requests can be found at WWW.NADERKHAN.COM

Album Sponsors include Bukhari Institute and SeekersHub Toronto.

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ALBULM CREDITS:

LYRICS: Nader Khan (Presence, Echoes, Witness, Take My Hand - Part II, As Though You See Him), Imām Ahmad Razā Khān (Qasīda é Nūr, Jashn é  mad é Rasūl), Shaykh Hamza Yusuf (Spring’s Gift), Imam Zaid Shakir (A Moment In Your Love), Yunus Emré / Muhtar Holland (My Lord On Thee), Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Pray My Lord), Shaykh Muhammad Mendes (Zikr In Minor Pentatonic), Shaykh Umar Al Yāfi (Supplication for Rain), Imām Al Busīrī (Qasīda Al Muhammadiya), Ustad Muzaffer Warsi (Tū Kujā Man Kujā)

VOCALS: Nader Khan 
PRODUCER: Hamid Abdurrahim (OK-HAAM)
MIXING ENGINEER: Hamid Abdurrahim
MASTERING ENGINEER: Hamid Abdurrahim
ASSISTANT MASTERING ENGINEER: Rodney C Daniel aka Yoda
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Dr. Bano Murtuja, Nader Khan
ASSISTANT PRODUCER: Altonio Bateman (A Moment In Your Love)
RECORDING, MIXING, MASTERING: 44 Pennyweight Studio, Morphius Records / Lord Baltimore Recording studio
ALBUM COMPOSITION: Nader Khan
ARRANGEMENT: Nader Khan, Hamid Abdurrahim, Eboni Coger (harmonies on Presence)
PERCUSSION AND RHYTHM: Nader Khan, Hamid Abdurrahim
ALBUM ARTWORK: Nermin Moufti
WEBSITE: Nermin Moufti, Usman Khalid, Umar Shahzad
PHOTOGRAPHY: Yasin Dusoruth

WATER

15 - Supplication For Rain (WATER, rel. 2015)

"Когда я устану жить" Folk ballad  на стихи С. Ловцова, музыка Е. Дудина

Madeehul Mustafa - Madad Ya Rasulullah

Wasslat Ajam - Al Resalaa Group

#BurdaBlues -- Nader Khan​ & #TheBlacksmiths
The Keighley Munshids​ are keenly involved in celebrating and promoting #TheMainstay -- the first ever English translation of one of the most celebrated commentaries on the Qasida Burda. They've been inviting and encouraging artists around the world to submit their renditions of a few verses from The Burda. 

I was honoured to be a recipient of one such invite. Tonight, The Blacksmiths were over at my place for our weekly practice session. So, we decided to shoot a brief video of a rendition of the first chapter of the Burda that we've been working on for the next album. Here's a sneak peak.

The opening words in English are from an epic poem that my dear friend Amir Sulaiman​ is composing on The Prophet (ﷺ).

BurdaBlues -- A sneak-peak from Nader Khan​ & TheBlacksmiths

The Noble Naqshbandi Nazimiyya Order proudly presents the ancient Islamic teaching and realities of the Prophetic Kingdom.

Known as the Muhammadan Reality Mawlana Shaykh Hisham Al Qabbani Representing the Sultan al Awliya of The Naqshbandiyya Nazimiyya Order Mawlana Shaykh Muhammad Nazim al Haqqani Shaykh Sayed Nurjan MirAhmadistudent of the way The Seekers of The Heart, The Lovers of the Prophetic Reality As ancient as time itself , seek to be a servant of the light and lovers.

Naqshbandi, Qadiri, Chistiyya,Shadiliya, Rifai, Inyat Khan, Alawi and many more All are the Muhammadan Representatives to Creation

nurmuhammad.com/pbuh/ is pleased to present the Muhammadan TV. Network

Donations
www.sufimeditationcenter.com/SufiComuni…aiser.html
to support These works

nurmuhammad.com/pbuh/
Shaykh sayed nurjan mirahmadi

An Nabi Sallu ‘alayh

Ya Imam Al-Rusli

UPDATE - AUG 10/2012

Many apologies for the delay in posting the translation - I've managed to complete an initial draft (*only of the 6 verses recited here - it's actually a very long poem) and am only posting it here to give the listeners a taste of the sublime meanings behind these blessed words that were composed about a century ago.  So, this translation is a work in progress.  I'm going to try and refine it further in the coming weeks.  Your comments and suggestions on improving it are welcome.


LYRICS - REFRAIN:
subha taiba mein hui bat-ta hai baada nur ka
sadqa lene nur ka aaya hai taaraa nur ka

LYRICS - VERSES:
baagh e taiba mein suhaana phool phoola nur ka
mast buein, bulbulein padti hain kalima nur ka

tere hi maathay raha ae jaan sehraa nur ka
bakht jaaga nur ka, chamkaa sitaara nur ka

taray hi janib hae paanchon waqt sajda nur ka
rukh hai qibla nur ka, abru hai ka’ba nur ka

tere aagay khaak par jhuktaa hai maathaa nur ka
nur nay paaya tere sajday say seema nur ka

chaand jhuk jaata jidhar ungli uthaate mahd mein
kya hi chalta thaa ishaaron par khilona nur ka

teri nasl-e-pak mein hai bachchaa bachchaa nur ka
tu hai ‘ayn-e-nur tera sab gharaana nur ka



TRANSLATION - REFRAIN:
Dawn has broken in Taiba, grants of light are being handed out
A star is spotted arriving to receive it’s alms of light

TRANSLATION - VERSES:
An enchanting flower has just bloomed in the garden of Taiba
As heady, intoxicating fragrances permeate, the Bulbuls chant the Proclamation of Light (Muhammadun RasüluLlah)

To you, O Beloved, belongs the credit for all the blessings of this light
Through you, light’s destiny was made fortuitous, light’s fame spread everywhere

Towards you, light prostrates itself all five times
Your visage is its Qibla, your brow, its Ka’ba.

In your presence, light lowers its forehead upon clay and dirt
It’s through this prostration, that light attains its glow.

The moon would lower itself as you’d point to it while in your cradle
What a wonderfully obedient toy of light it was, obeying your every gesture

In your blessed, pure progeny, every child is a child of light
You’re the very essence of light, indeed your entire household is one of light

Translation © Nader Khan, August 2012, All Rights Reserved.

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FEB 23/2012 :: A clip from the weekly gathering of Celebrating The Beloved at SeekersHub Toronto [http://SeekersHub.org], of Nader Khan [http://naderkhan.com] singing the well known classic naat, The Ode of Light [Qasida-e-Nur].

The gathering takes place every Thursday at 8:30PM EST, and is also webcasted live through SeekersHub's online classroom. For more information, check [http://SeekersHub.org/programs].

SeekersHub is an Islamic learning centre in the Greater Toronto Area, committed to providing a wide spectrum of free learning opportunities and spiritual activities that are open and welcoming to all individuals.

Help us continue to provide education without barriers through your ongoing monthly support or a one-time donation: http://seekershub.org/support-us/

Nader Khan - The Ode Of Light [Qasida-e-Nür]

LANGUAGE: Urdu/Arabic/Farsi

SONGWRITER: Popular

INSPIRATION:
An Urdu song in praise of the Prophet and well-known in the Indian subcontinent. Current rendition is based on a version composed by the Indian music director Ravindra Jain and sung by Mohammad Aziz for the popular 1990 Indian movie “Henna”. The familiar opening rubai was reportedly composed by Shaykh Sa’di Shirazi.
___________________________________

LYRICS:
Ya sahibul jamalu wa ya sayyadul bashar
Min wajhikal muniro laqad nawwarul qamar
La yumkinuth thana`uka ma kaana haqquhu
Ba’daz Khuda, buzurg toi, qissa-e-mukhtasar

Marhaba Sayyadi, Makki Madaniyy-ul Arabi
Dil-o-jaan baad fidayat che ajab khush laqabi

Hoke mayus tere dar se savali na gaya
Khali haath aaya magar lawt ke khaali na gaya
Hai tu hi afzal-ul-insan tu mehbub-e-khuda
Ae Quraishi, O Bani Hashmi, O Muttalabi
Sayyadi anta habibi wa tabib-e-qalbi

Marhaba Sayyadi, Makki Madaniyy-ul Arabi

Kab ata hoga mujhe zawq-e-sanakhwan-e-nabi
Ae qamar, ye meri koshish kisi qabil to nahin
Meri khatir to ye nisbat bhi bohot hai mawla
Mae kahaan, varna kahaan zikr-e-khuda, naat-e-nabi
Dil-o-jaan baad fidayat che ajab khush laqabi

Marhaba Sayyadi, Makki Madaniyy-ul Arabi
___________________________________

TRANSLATION:
O possessor of beauty! O leader of mankind
It is from your enlightened countenance that the moon is illumined
It is not possible to praise you in a befitting manner
In short, after God, you are the greatest

Welcome, my Leigelord, O Makkan and Medinan of the Arabs
How wondrous! May my heart and soul be your ransom, O sweet-titled-one

Never has a questioner turned away from your threshold in a state of despair
Though he arrived empty handed, he didn’t depart empty handed
You are the best among men, the beloved of God
O Quraishite, O Hashimite, O Muttalabite
My Leigelord, you are my beloved, and the healer of my heart

Welcome, my Leigelord, O Makkan and Medinan of the Arabs

When will I taste the refinement of being one who truly praises the Prophet
O Qamar, this meagre attempt of mine is not worth anything at all
For my sake, this association is sufficient, my Lord
Who am I to be endowed with the remembrance of God, and the praise of His Prophet
How wondrous! May my heart and soul be your ransom, O sweet-titled-one

Welcome, my Leigelord, O Makkan and Medinan of the Arabs /
___________________________________
Translation © Nader Khan 2008 All Rights Reserved

02 - TAKE MY HAND - PreviewClips - Marhaba [Urdu, Arabic, Farsi]

LANGUAGE: Urdu

SONGWRITER: Muhammad Iqbal Naqibi

INSPIRATION:
This qawwali was masterfully delivered time and again by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. It is rendered here more as a song than a pure qawwali. The various tangential improvisations that are expected in a qawwali have been kept to a minimum. I’ve also opted to use an opening verse that was presented in a television rendition by the Indian singer Toshi Sabri.
___________________________________

LYRICS:
Hava khilaf thi, lekin chiragh khub jala
Khuda bhi hone ke kya kya sabut deta hai

Tere hi nam se har ibteda hai
Tere hi nam tak har inteha hai
Teri hamd o sana, alhamdu liLlah
Ke Tu mere Muhammad ka Khuda hai

Ye zamin jab na thi, ye jahan jab na tha
Chand suraj na thay, asman jab na tha
Raz-e-haq bhi kisi par ayan jab na tha
Tab na tha kuch yahan, tha magar Tu hi Tu

Kawnain ka masjud hai, ma’bud hai Tu
Har shai Teri shahid hai ke mash-hud hai Tu
Har ek ke lab par hai Teri hamd o sana
Har soz mein, har saaz mein mawjud hai Tu

Tu jo har aan nai shaan dikha deta hai
Dida-e-shawq ko hairan bana deta hai
Dali dali Teri takhliq ke gun gati hai
Patta patta Teri qudrat ka pata deta hai

La ilaha Teri shan ya wahdahu
Tu khayaal-o-tajassus, Tu hi arzu
Ankh ki roshni, dil ki avaz Tu

Khaliq-e-kul hai Tu, is mein kya guftagu
Sare alam ko hai Teri hi justaju
Teri jalvagari hai ayan charsu
Tha bhi Tu, hai bhi Tu, hoga bhi Tu hi Tu
___________________________________

TRANSLATION:
The wind was hostile, but the lantern did burn ever so intensely
How wondrously strange are the affirmations that God presents, of His own existence

From Your name is every beginning
Unto Your name is every ending
To praise You is to say that all praise is for You alone
You are, after all, the God of Muhammad

When this land was not, and neither was this earth
When the moon and the sun were not, and neither was this universe
When the secret of Reality hadn’t yet been bestowed upon anyone
Then, there was nothing here, save You

You’re the one prostrated to, and worshipped in both existences
Every thing attests to Your existence, ergo You are The Witnessed
It’s Your praise and extolling that is on the lips of everyone
You are Existent in every rhythm and in every tune

You Who manifests a novel majesty ever so frequently
You thereby bewilder eyes that are anticipating an experience of Your manifestations
Every branch sings the praise of Your creative feat
Every leaf is a sign that points towards Your supreme power

That there isn’t another god is of Your majesty, O Peerless One
It’s but You Who occupy my imagination, my curiosity, my aspiration
You are the light in my eyes, the voice in my heart

You are the Creator of every thing, without doubt
The entire universe is busied with it’s seeking of You
Your sublime manifestations are evident in all directions
You were Beginninglessly Eternal then, are Ever Present now, and will forever be Endlessly Eternal
___________________________________
Translation © Nader Khan 2008 All Rights Reserved

07 - TAKE MY HAND - PreviewClips - Allah Hu [Urdu]

LANGUAGE: Urdu

SONGWRITER: Sayid Iqbal Azim

INSPIRATION: 
This naat was rendered to popular acceptance by the Pakistani Qur’an reciter and Naat performer, Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi, and enjoys a strong emotional attachment all across the Indian subcontinent. The current rendition presents it in a typically Arabic tune of the hijaz mode.
___________________________________

LYRICS:
Faslon ko takalluf hai hum se agar
Ham bhi bebas nahin, besahara nahin
Khud unhin ko pukarenge hum dur se, 
Raaste mein agar paun thak jaaenge

Jaise hi sabz gumbad nazar aaega
Bandagi ka qarina badal jaaega
Sar jhukane ki fursat milegi kise
Khud hi aankhon se sajde tapak jaaenge

Hum madine mein tanha nikal jaaenge
Aur galiyon mein qasdan bhatak jaaenge
Hum vahaan jaake vaapas nahin aaenge
Dhundte dhundte log thak jaaenge

Naam unka jahaan bhi liya jaaega
Zikr unka jahaan bhi kiya jaaege
Nur hi nur sinon mein bhar jaaega
Saari mehfil mein jalve lapak jaaenge

Ae madine ke zaair khuda ke liye
Dastaan-e-safar mujh ko yun mat suna
Dil tadap jaaega. Baat badh jaaegi
Mere mohtat aansu chhalak jaaenge

Unki chashm-e-karam ko hai iski khabar
Kis musafir ko hai kitna shawq-e-safar
Hum ko Iqbal jab bhi ijazat mili
Hum bhi aaqa ke durbar tak jaaenge
___________________________________

TRANSLATION:
If distances prove themselves to be pretentious towards us
We are neither helpless, nor are we without support
We shall entreat Him ourselves
Should our feet grow weary along the path

The moment the green dome becomes visible
Slave hood shall manifest itself differently
Who will have respite to bow their heads
Prostrations, of their own accord, shall trickle from the very eyes

We will go out in Madina, bereft of familiar company
And deliberately lose our way in its streets
Having reached there, we shall not return
Be it that looking for us, people grow weary

His name, wheresoever it shall be mentioned
His remembrance, wheresoever it shall be made
Light, and yet more light, shall fill up the breasts of those gathered
Spiritual manifestations shall leap out upon the entire gathering

O Visitor of Madina, for God’s sake
Do not thus share your journey’s narrative
The heart will grow restless, anxious; the matter shall exceed all bounds
My guarded tears shall spill forth

His magnanimous insight is well informed
As to which traveler harbours how much aspiration for his journey
Whensoever it may be that we be granted permission, O Iqbal
We too shall pay a visit unto the court of the Liege-lord
___________________________________
Translation © Nader Khan 2008 All Rights Reserved

05 - TAKE MY HAND - PreviewClips - Faslon Ko Takalluf [Urdu]

Nader Khan (नादेर खान / نادر خان) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, recording artist, producer, arts educator, and musicologist, with a specific focus on traditional and contemporary Islamic devotional/Sufi music. Over the last 25 years, he has toured and performed across the world (Canada, United States, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom, Norway, Guyana, Trinidad, Mexico, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore), in solo performances, and on tours with other internationally renowned artists. Nader has also spearheaded various social justice initiatives that promote local and international relief efforts through Islamic devotional music, arts, and youth engagement.

Nader is also an executive producer for STORIES FROM THE SEERAH, a new podcast covering the entire Seerah of The Prophet (ﷺ) in a rarely-experienced level of detail, expertly narrated by the renowned Seerah teacher, Dr. Bano Murtuja. It’s designed for 6-15 year olds, but people of all ages are getting hooked on it. Subscribe today at http://StoriesFromTheSeerah.SuperCast.com.

To book Nader, individually or with the Blacksmiths, or to get more information about his albums, performances, workshops and upcoming projects, email Bano@naderkhan.com.

Nader Khan - The Ode Of Light [Qasida-e-Nür]

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