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This is where the ongoing podcasts will be added.  Stay tuned for more free downloads.

Nader Khan's Podcast

Vocals: Noman Shah
Lyrics: Suhaib Jamal
Composer: Ali Akhtar Allahditta
Recorded at: Musical Ascension Studio

Allah Huma Saleh Ala - Naat

This is a rendition of the takbiraat that I learned from an Indonesian brother while living in Hadramawt, Yemen.

Takbiraat of Eid

Muwal Sidi Mounir 02

Muwal Sidi Mounir 03

Muwal Sidi Mounir 04

A traditional poem (qasida) describing love of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the poet's desire to visit his blessed grave in Madina. This was sung at SeekersHub in Toronto during one of the blessed nights of remembrance. The masterful Nader Khan is also singing and playing the drum.

Al-Salamu 'Ala

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

Ayâ âla layla dayfoukoum wa nazîloukoum

Very rare, beautiful recitation of Surah Maryam by Mishary al-Afasy. 


Surah Maryam | Mishary al-Afasy

"Qad Kafani `Ilmu Rabbi" (My Lord's Knowledge Suffices Me) is a powerful statement of reliance and trust on Allah, authored by Imam Abdullah b. Alawi al-Haddad (1634 CE [1044 Hijri] - 1720 CE [1132 Hijri]), the great Islamic scholar and spiritual guide from Hadhramawt, Yemen. Imam al-Haddad was a distinguished poet, and this particular qasida (devotional song) is one of his most-recited poems. A brief bio of the Imam may be found here: http://www.alhaddad.org/blog/?p=382.

(Accompanying picture of the Imam's mosque in Yemen is taken from http://thedowra.com.)

This particular rendition of the qasida is something I'd first heard performed at the Seekers Retreat in Melbourne (April 2011), by "The Singaporean Haqqani Ensemble" - Sidi Abdul Shakor Hadi leading the vocals, along with drumming and choral support from Sidi Muhammad Nassir, and the rest of the ensemble.

I was fortunate enough to recite this rendition of the qasida to Habib Umar bin Hafidh, at a private gathering in Melbourne Australia, in May 2011, before returning to Canada.  Many thanks to Sidi Usama Canon for facilitating this auditioning.


TECHNICAL NOTES:
I've recorded it here in Apple's GarageBand, using a Blue Yeti USB microphone (reviewed here at wired.com: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2009/11/pr_yeti/), a recent gift from a good friend that I'm putting to good use.

[NOTE: Booking requests are not processed through this website.  To book Nader Khan, please contact "bookings@naderkhan.com"]

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
(the lyrics in Arabic, along with the translation, may be downloaded from: http://www.halaqa.org/Media/Docs/Qad%20kafani%20english.pdf)

My Lord’s knowledge has sufficed me
 from asking or choosing
For my du’a and my agonising supplication
 is a witness to my poverty.
For this secret (reason) I make supplication 
in times of ease and times of difficulty
I am a slave whose pride 
is in his poverty and obligation
----------
O my Lord and my King
 You know my state
And what has settled in my heart 
of agonies and preoccupations
Save me with a gentleness 
from You, O Lord of Lords
Oh save me, Most Generous 
before I run out of patience (with myself)
----------
O One who is swift in sending aid
 I ask for aid that will arrive to me swiftly
It will defeat all difficulty 
and it will bring all that I hope for
O Near One Who answers 
and All-Knowing and All-Hearing
I have attained realisation through my incapacity, 
my submission and my brokenness
----------
I am still standing by the door, so please my Lord
 have mercy on my standing
And in the valley of generosity, I am in i’tikaf (solitary retreat)  
So, Allah, make my retreat here permanent
And I’m abiding by good opinion (of You) 
 For it is my friend and ally
And it is the one that sits by me and keeps me company  
All day and night
----------
There is a need in my soul, O Allah 
so please fulfill it, O Best of Fulfillers
And comfort my secret and my heart
 from its burning and its shrapnel
In pleasure and in happiness  and 
as long as You are pleased with me
For joy and expansion is my state  
and my motto and my cover
----------

Qad Kafani - My Lord is Sufficient - by Imam Haddad, sung by Nader Khan

I was recently commissioned to record a rendition of this famous poem by Allama Iqbal, Pakistan's national poet.  The song is going to be included on the soundtrack for a documentary film about Major Muhammad Abbas Ali, founder of Muslim Welfare Centre in the Greater Toronto Area, a soldier who dedicated his life to the service of the needy.

I recorded this in Logic X through a Yeti Pro microphone.  I also used an EditorsKeys Studio Series portable vocal booth. This version has some light tambourine percussion -- the version decided upon by the director for the documentary does not have a tambourine.

Nader Khan -- Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua (Allama Iqbal)

A clip from an all-Arabic mawlid medley by Nader Khan & The BlackSmiths, featuring the tail end of "Qamarun", followed by "Khairal Bariyya" and a spirited rendition of "Ya Imam Ar Rusli".

The BlackSmiths are: Taleb Ahmed on a 12 inch daff and backing vocals, Dean Morrison on the cajon, Salman Khan on a 22 inch daff, and Ahmed Ali on the tabla.

The clapping and ululating is from an enthusiastic and spirited audience.

Nader Khan & The BlackSmiths performing live 03/2015 -- Qamarun, KhairalBariyya, YaImamArRusli

A live rendition of Shahe Madina by Sidi Nader Khan & ‪The BlackSmiths‬.

The BlackSmiths are: Taleb Ahmed on a 12 inch daff and backing vocals, Dean Morrison on the cajon, Salman Khan on a 22 inch daff, and Ahmed Ali on the tabla.


Nader Khan & The BlackSmiths performing live 03/2015 -- Shahe Madina

Moula Maaf karin

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.  

---------------------
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.

---------------------
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.

---------------------
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

A Moment In Your Love

01 - A Moment In Your Love (WATER, rel. 2015)

Qasida Muhammadiya

02 - Qasida Muhammadiya (WATER, rel. 2015)

03 - Tu Kuja Man Kuja (WATER, rel. 2015)

04 - Take My Hand II (WATER, rel. 2015)

05 - WATER - Echoes (WATER, rel. 2015)

Bulbul_ _Sufi Music Of Turkey - Call Of Heaven (Cennetin Çagrisi) CD 2

Yunus__Sufi Music Of Turkey - Call Of Heaven (Cennetin Çagrisi) CD 2

Uyan__Sufi Music Of Turkey - Call Of Heaven (Cennetin Çagrisi) CD 2

FEB 14/2012 :: Nürul Huda - a traditional qasida sung here in a classical Syrian tune.  This is a rough recording from earlier tonight.  Hope you all like it.

For booking enquiries please contact bookings@naderkhan.com

Nader Khan - The Light of Guidance [Nürul Huda]

RUMI ensemble & Salar Aghili – In the footprints of RUMI

Jané Ashegh

Javid Afsari Rad – Avaz

This is one of my favourite Naats that I've recently reconnected with.  

A Naat (here referring specifically to the A Capella devotional art form in South Asia, as opposed to the wider definition of praising The Prophet, peace be upon him) is one of the easiest things to record, since there's nothing used besides pure human voice.  So, there's no concerns about, for example, ensuring that the drums aren't drowning out the voice, or aren't overloading the microphone.

The only concern is having a safe distance to the microphone so one can get a clean recording without it getting too loud and clipping or buzzing in the recording, or too low to capture a full sound of the vocals.

Using the SoundCloud app for iPhone was really useful. It allowed me to visually monitor voice levels being received by the iPhone before I even began recording.  It also bypassed using any of the high-in-demand storage space on the iPhone, and uploaded immediately as a private file straight to my SoundCloud account.

This was recorded live at the weekly Circle Of Light gathering at SeekersHub Toronto [http://SeekersHub.org]. When I got home, I downloaded it to my Mac, did some minor postproduction edits in GarageBand.

As for the Naat itself, it's mostly pretty accessible and simple Urdu.  There are only a couple of uncommon words.  I've tried to translate it in a manner that captures the intended meaning of the words to the best of my ability.  Alternative translation suggestions are welcome.

---------------------------------------------

Madinan nights, Madinan words
Amongst lives lived, *this* is true living.
And what a life it is!

An era has gone by since he's passed through
The meandering alleyways of Taiba The Blessed.
Even now there lingers therein
The sweet fragrance of his blessed perspiration.

This wound is from Taiba The Blessed, 
Getting afflicted with it is not destined for just anyone.
Let no one dare to even try
Sewing up this precious wound.

Just by casting his blessed gaze,
He intoxicates us completely out of our senses.
He doesn't even trouble the drunkard
With the task of actually drinking.

When one can no longer find 
Words worthy of conveying one's praise
How then may one even attempt
To praise Medina the blessed?

---------------------------------------------

© Translation Copyright Nader Khan March 2013, All Rights Reserved

Nader Khan [ #iPhoneStudio ] -- Madinan Nights

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"

This recording is the third one in my #iPhoneStudio series, and the very first one in which live drumming is recorded with the singing.  Just like the previous one, this 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.

It was recorded at the most recent weekly "Circle Of Light" gathering of remembrance and reflection at SeekersHub Toronto [http://SeekersHub.org].

"Jalla man qad sawwarak" is a classical Levantian devotional piece, sung in the "Bayati" mode, with what's to the Western ear, an unusual 7/8 beat (referred to in Arabic music as "dawar Hindi").  Personally, I *really* enjoy singing in this beat and in this mode.  Singing a piece with both of these together, is something else.

The English translation of the Arabic lines was done by Sidi Amjad Tarsin (Muslim Chaplain at The University of Toronto), and proofread by Sidi Ghuydar Bashmaf, a gifted singer of Islamic devotional songs, and Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, a scholar of Islamic law, Executive Director of SeekersHub Global, and someone whom I regard as my best friend.

I've added lines in Urdu and English to this piece.  The lines in Urdu are from two separate poets: the first two are from Muhammad Zahuri, and the last two are from Syed Iqbal Azîm.

The first two lines in English, are an attempt at conveying the translation of the famous couplet by the Prophet's Companion, Sayyidna Hassan ibn Thabit, while remaining within the meter of the song:
“More beautiful than you, my eye has never seen,
And more perfect than you, no woman ever gave birth to;
You were created free from any flaw whatsoever,
As though you were created just the way you wanted”.  
[Diwan Hassan ibn Thabit]

The last two lines came to me as part of a larger poem, while attending an event in Toronto where two eminent scholars were talking about the Prophet, May God bless him and give him peace, always and eternally.


ARABIC:

Glorious is He, Who's fashioned you, A radiant full moon, out of water and clay.
And He enabled in your appearance, A joy for all those who behold it.

Be gentle and merciful to your lover, Who has melted in the heat of his painful groans.
I ask God to protect you, From the eyes of the envious.

O my Beloved I ask you by the Prophet, Put an end to this fondness,
What has befallen me is enough, Of your barring and delaying.

My mind is captivated in your love, And my heart is drawn to you,
And your love, O my master, A joy for all those who behold it!

URDU:

I send salutations to the daybreaks and the evenings of the Prophet's mosque
O Prophet, I send salutations to the ones who serve your servants.

It's not at all possible to describe your character with this tongue of mine,
O emperor of the masses, O crowned one of the emissaries.

ENGLISH:

No eye has seen such beauty as thine, no dame has born such a one so fine
You're created free of flaw, as if by your own design

More generous theres never been, more beautiful was never seen
I surrender at your doorstep, all my dunya and my deen

© Translation Copyright Nader Khan 2013, All Rights Reserved

Nader Khan [ #iPhoneStudio ] - "Glorious is He, Who's Fashioned You"

This recording is the fourth one in my #iPhoneStudio series. Just like the previous one, this 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, and a very slight echo/reverb effect. 

It was recorded at the most recent weekly "Circle Of Light" gathering of remembrance and reflection at SeekersHub Toronto [SeekersHub.org].

This is a set of lyrics that I'd been struggling to set a tune to, for well over 3 years -- this tune was composed as my wife and I stood in line with Imam Afroz Ali for a coach to take us to the airport in Melbourne, Australia after the SeekersRetreat back in April 2011.  It was originally intended to be on the first album, but to a very different tune.  It's a good thing I waited - this is the most satisfied I've been with a tune for it.

The lyrics were originally composed by Shaykh Abdul-Hakeem Murad and he had titled the poem as "Lamiyyat Al Ajam". Those who know what a "Lamiyya" is, will get the subtle wit of his title.

I'd posted an earlier recording of this track on this SoundCloud page.  I believe that the recording quality on this rendition is much better.  You're welcome to judge for yourselves: https://soundcloud.com/naderkhanofficial/naderkhan-pray-my-lord.

The first line from the opening words was penned by the gifted poetess Mona Haydar [https://soundcloud.com/monahaydar], who gave me permission to use her words without hesitation.

For booking inquiries, please contact bookings@naderkhan.com

Nader Khan [ #iPhoneStudio ] - PrayMyLord - Live Acapella

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]

Talama Ashku Gharami

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