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

Salaamun - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson

Excerpts of three traditional nashids sung together (live) as a set. A free mp3 download sung by Manaqib Nashids.

Salli Ya Salam Medley

Salli ya Salam with Bashiru ahla l - ma'ani and Inna ma l - kawn (Manaqib Nashids)

Ya Sayyidi Irhamlana Ya Syedi Irhamlana  
Ya Syayidi Irhamlana Ya Syedi Irhamlana
O Master, be merciful towards us, O Master, be merciful towards us
O Master, be merciful towards us, O Master, be merciful towards us

Innil Tiya ree Hassaba Youmun Ilaa Ardil Haram 
Balligh Salaami Roudatun Feehannabiyul Mohtaram
O Winds! If someday you pass by the sacred land,
Do give my greetings (salaam) at the Blessed Grave where the most exalted Prophet rests

Maw Wajhohu Shams-ud-Duha Mun Khaddohu Badr-ud-Duja 
Maw Zaatohu Noor-ul-Huda Mun Kaffohu Bahr-ul-Hemam
He whose blessed face is the midday sun, his blessed cheeks are the full moon,
He whose self is the light of guidance and whose generosity is an ocean

Qur’anohu Burhanona Faskhalle-Adyaanim Madat 
Iz Jaa ‘Anaa Ahkaamohu Kullusohofay Saar Al ‘Adam
The Qur'an is our source proving other religions are abrogated,
When its guidelines came to us, the other books became non-existent

Akbadona Majruhatumin Saifey Hijril Mustafa 
Tooba Le-Ahle Baldatin Fee-hun-Nabiyul Mohtasham
The sadness of separation [from Madinah] feels like a sword deep into my liver,
How fortunate are the people of that city in which the Exalted & Beloved Prophet resides

Ya Rehmatallil A'alameen Anta Shafiul Muznebeen
Akrim Lana Youmal Hazeen Fadlaw Wa Judaw Wal Karam
O Mercy for the worlds! You are the intercessor for the sinners,
Shower your blessings upon us on the Day of Grief

Ya Rehmatallil A'alameen Adrik Li Zainil A'abeedeen
Mahboosi Aydiz Zalimeen Fil Mawkabee Wal Muzdaham
O Mercy for the worlds! Assist Zaynul Abideen,
Who stands alone and in difficulty amongst the tyrants.


Qasida Imam Zain Al-Abedin (a.s) - Ya Sayyidi Irhamlana

Can i be marceline and youre princess bubblegum prod.qionxo

8- Ya Shafi'al Wara

The Burda with English lyrics by Minhaj Al-Munshidin

Burdah Ensemble - Al-Madad, Ya Rasul Allah

Recitation of the blessed names of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ by Shaykh Dr. Asim Yusuf, accompanied by Manaqib; taken from Imam al-Jazuli's manual of Salawat: Dala'il ul-Khayrat.

Asma Al - Nabi ﷺ Recitation Of The Names Of Rasulallah ﷺ Shaykh Asim Yusuf

The Blacksmiths and I recorded this rendition of Jashné Amadé Rasūl recently at a recent practice session at my studio.  Consider this a Friday gift to all of you.

The picture that I've chosen for this track is easily one of my favourite ones that I've ever taken.  You can read the story about it on my instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/p/BtEzNp9AuMX/

#JummaMubarak
#HappyFriday
#SalluAlaAnNabi

Jashné Āmadé Rasūl - Live Recording - Nader Khan & The Blacksmiths

Jashné Amadé Rasūl - Live recording - Nader Khan & The Blacksmiths

3- Al-Qasidah Al-Muhammadiyyah

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

Nader Khan's SoundCloud