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Qasidah Burdah
Qasidah Burdah
BURDAH
of Imam al-Busiri
T
E
For ward
S h a y k h M u h a m m a d a l - Ya q o u b i
Tr a n s l a t i o n a n d Fo o t n o t e s
ESSENTIAL ISLAM
FORWARD QASIDAH
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam
mattis, quam sit amet hendrerit
AL-BURDAH
maximus, nisl odio condimentum
tortor, at mollis risus justo cursus Canto One Canto Two
ex. Vestibulum pretium pretium THE LAMENT AND CAUTIONING
finibus. COMPLAINT OF LOVE AGAINST
Pages 5 -10 EGOISTIC DESIRES
Donec mattis lacinia scelerisque. Pages 11 -18
Nulla mi augue, pellentesque in
semper sit amet, mollis a massa.
Phasellus condimentum dignissim Canto Three Canto Four
volutpat. Suspendisse tincidunt, PRAISING THE BIRTH OF
arcu eu pretium sodales, quam THE PROPHET THE PROPHET
mi placerat ligula, eu luctus nibh Pages 19 - 32 Pages 33 - 38
dolor id ex. Nunc ac vehicula
diam. Praesent congue risus non
porta gravida Canto Five Canto Six
THE MIRACLES OF IN PRAISE OF THE
Sed consectetur, erat ac sollicitu� THE PROPHET EXALTED QUR’AN
din tempus, ante odio volutpat Pages 39 - 46 Pages 47 - 54
orci, ac tincidunt nisl neque ac
quam. Suspendisse mollis rutrum
nulla vitae efficitur. Aliquam eu Canto Seven Canto Eight
sem tortor. Sed dapibus erat at THE NIGHT JOURNEY THE CHIVALROUS
mauris sollicitudin, at fringilla AND ASCENSION OF STRUGGLE OF
metus rutrum. Nulla dignissim THE PROPHET THE PROPHET ﷺ
blandit blandit. Pages 55 - 60 Pages 61 - 70
Donec vulputate ac justo eget
efficitur. Nam sagittis erat eget Canto Nine Canto Ten
interdum porta. Nam mauris nisl, THE PROPHET'S OBSECRATIONS
pretium eu rutrum et, aliquet sit INTERCESSION AND PRESENTING
amet tellus. Sed imperdiet mattis Pages 71 - 76 NEEDS
leo condimentum egestas. Nam Pages 77 - 84
porta congue nunc, vitae aliquam
velit fermentum faucibus.
Suspendisse tincidunt, arcu eu EXPLORING
pretium sodales, quam mi placerat
ligula, eu luctus nibh dolor id ex.
Nunc ac vehicula diam. Praesent
THE BURDAH
congue risus non porta gravida
A SYNOPOSIS OF IMAM AL-BUSIRI'S
Sed condimentum, nulla at THE BURDAH BIOGRAPHY
dictum bibendum, orci lectus Pages 71 - 76 Pages 71 - 76
pharetra dolor, ut mollis enim.
THE LEGEND OF THE VIRTUE OF
THE BURDAH THE BURDAH
Pages 71 - 76 Pages 71 - 76
His Eminence,
Shaykh Muhammad
al-Yaqoubi
CONTENTS
ABOUT ESSENTIAL ISLAM
INDEX AND FRONT MATTER Pages 71 - 76
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Pages 71 - 76
PREFACE
Pages 71 - 76
CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION
FOR THE BURDAH
Pages 71 - 76
FORWARD
Pages 71 - 76
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pages 71 - 76
BURDAH
of Imam al-Busiri
T
E
َ � � ِخ� ت� ف ٰ َ ُ َ َّ َّ �ث
�ُـم ا�لصل ى ال�ْم�ْ� َِـار � ي� ال �ْ�قد ٖم ل ع اة
ًس ـ ـ ـ �ـل ّْم َد ئا� �مًـــــــا أَ� َ�دا
Then prayers be upon the one chosen since pre-eternity3.
� َ ّ َ َ َْ�
ب ِ � َ و ل ِ ا� ص مَول ي ii
َ ْ
ﷺ - always and forever.
ُّ َ َأ
َ
ان ِب� ِذ يْ� سل ٖ�َم ۢ ٍ ��� ْمن �ت�َـذك ِر �ج� ي�ر 1
ٍَك ��ا�ظمة َ
الر ي�ح �� من ِ�لْ�َـا ِء ِ �ـ ِ َ��م َهـ ب 2
Or was
َ
it the wind
ٓ
that
� ْ
stirred from
ِف ُ
Kazimah’s6
ْ َ َ َأ
direction,
�
َو�وم ضَ� ال�ْ ب�رق � ي� ا�ل�ظَّل َمـــــــا ِء �� من ِإ� ض� ٖم
ْ ْ
And the lightning7 that flashed in the darkness of Iddam8?
CANTO 1
1
INTERESTING FACTS
hh Did you know couplets (i) and (ii) are not
part of the Imam al-Busiri's � actual Burdah.
Couplet (i) was added much later and is
not attributed to Imam al-Busiri �. With this
said, reciters worldwide begin their recitation
of the Burdah with this couplet - such is its
acceptance.
hh Couplet (ii) is the Burdah's chorus/refrain,
which comprises of its most famous lines.
Although not part of original Burdah when
it was penned, some narrations state that
this couplet was gifted to Imam al-Busiri �
by the Prophet ﷺduring the Imam's most
illustrious dream. Whilst other narrations say
the chorus was added later to the poem by
Imam al-Busiri �.
What ails your eyes? You say “stop”, but the tears continue to flow,
َ َ أَ ق
If not for [this] passion, you would not grieve over an abandoned camp9,
� َ ْ َ ت
�َان والْـع�َل ٖ�َم ِ �ولا � ِر�� �� ل ِـذك ِر ا �ْل ب
Or spend nights recalling the [fragrant] willow10 and mountain [peak]11.
ْ ت َ َ ف َ َ تُ ن ُ ح ّ � َ َ َ ش
��ك ي��ْف ���ْ�ك ر ب�ًا ب�ۢــع�ْد ما���هد 6
The torment of love has inscribed two tear-lines upon your cheeks,
ن � َ َ ْ َّ �َ َ َ ٰ خ
� ـ ـ ــد ي�ك والْـع�َ� ٖ�َم َ ه�َار على
ِ �ْ��� م�ث�ْل ال ب
As insipid as yellow and blood-red roses12.
hh The original Burdah begins from couplet one.
hh The first word on couplet four can be read
with a kasra َ or َ أa fatha. So, it can read as
َ َأ
� � ي� ْح َس ُبor �� ي� ْح ِس ُب. The fatha version is more
common and the kasra is from the Moroccan
dialect.
hh It is reported that Imam al-Busiri � fell
asleep whilst reciting couplet eight, and it is
during this dream that the Imam was hon-
oured to recite the Burdah for the Prophet ﷺ.
The Ulema mention that reciting this couplet
profusely before sleeping is, if Allah wills,
a means of being blessed with the beatific
vision of the Prophet ﷺin one's dreams.
hh The author adopts thematic patterning for
this section and this is very common for this
type of poem. Just as the names of the plac-
es en route to Madinah are often celebrated
in Islamic poetry.
FOOTNOTES
1 A canto is a section/chapter into which certain long poems are divided.
2 One of the greatest marvels of the Universe is the creation of everything from
nothing, and this attribute belongs to Allah ﷻalone: “ Verily, His command, when
He intends a thing, is only that He commands it, “Be”, and it is!” {23:82}.
3 The chosen one before pre-eternity is our beloved Prophet ﷺand this is authen-
ticated through well known sound narrations that confirm that the Prophet ﷺwas
already a Prophet when the Prophet Adam � was between spirit and body:
“Truly I was [already], in the sight of Allah, the Seal of Prophets, when Adam was
still kneaded in his clay...” (Ahmad).
4 Dhu Salam is a place between Makkah and Madinah, with it being closer to the
latter. It is a place where the Prophet ﷺrested when he travelled between the two
cities.
5 Tears of happiness are cool and tears of sorrow are warm, thus signifying the au-
thors extreme anguish.
6 Kazimah is a valley near Madinah and the winds that blow from its direction are
stoking the authors fervour for the beloved, as they carry the sweet alluring scent
(i.e. Prophetic musk) of his beloved across the land.
7 The lighting serves as another poignant reminder for the protagonist, as it lights up
the horizon from the direction of his beloveds abode.
ََّ ت ْ أ
Yes! At night, visions of my beloved manifested, depriving me of sleep;
ُ ََ � ُّ َ ت
ا� ِب�ال�ل ٖ�َم ِ �ُ� ي�ع�ْ� ِر� ا�لـلَّـذ ض و ْالـح ب
[Everyone knows] love is famous for impeding pleasure with pain13!
ًَ ّ ْ �� َ ْ َِ َ ْ ف
ي�الا ��ئ� ِـم ي� � ي� اله�َوى الْعُذ ِر ِي� م�َع ِ�ْذرة 9
ْ َأ
O you - who rebukes me for this chaste [udhri] love - accept my excuse.
َ
�� ِنّم� ي ْ� ِإ� �َل ي��ْك َول ْ�َو �� َ�ف�ْ� ل ْ�َم �ت�َـل ٖ�ُم
َ ت �ص ن
Yet, had you judged fairly, you would find me blameless14.
َ � � َ َْ َ ت
س� تِت�َ� ٍر ْ� ـالِ� لا ِس ّ ِر يْ� ِب� ُم ح ي َ عد�ك 10
َ َ ْ ِف َّ � َّ � َّ
ـ��ح� ع ِ�َن ْالـع�ُذ ِال � ي� صم ٖم ِإ�ن الْـ �ُم ب
For lovers are deaf to the clamour of critics.
َ َ ْ ِف َّنِّ ْ تَّ ْ تُ نَ � َ ش
�ْ� � ي� عذ ٍل ِإ�� ي� ا�ه�َم� �� ي�ص�ْح ا�ل� ي� ِب 12
َُ شَّ ُ أَ ُ فِ ْ ن
I suspect even the counsel of my own grey hair,
ُّ ت
ص�ْح ع ِ�َن ا�ل� ٖه�َم
Even though this
ٍ � ��ْ� � ب��ْـع�َد � ي
apprisal is far from
وا�ل� ي� ب
deception.
8 Mount Idam is located near a valley in Madinah in the mountains of Tihamah.
9 The camp is alluding to a place that reminds Imam al-Busiri � of his beloved, thus
making him, the lover, fall further into 'ruin'.
12 This line shows the author is completely lovesick and his symptoms are apparent
through his pallid complexion. The red lines signify Imam al-Busiri's � tears, and
the yellow lines his emaciation.
13 There has to be pain in love; if a person only displays ecstatic behaviour, then it is
not true love.
14 In this couplet, Imam al-Busiri � makes an extremely clever reference to the tribe of
ْ �
Bani Udhra (� )الْع�ُذ ِر ّ ِيin order to present his excuse for his vestal love. In doing so, he
likens his love to that of the classic and most famous Udhri lovers, Laila and Majnun,
who were never reproached due to the purity of their love. The real ‘Majnun’ is said
to be the poet Qais Ibn al-Mulawwah �, and the real ‘Laila’, also a poet, is Laila
bint Sa’d al-Amiriya �. Bani Udhra was a very famous tribe with many of their
men and women folk deeply in love, but despite this, they never transgressed any
boundaries due to the purity of their love - as a result many died due to the extremity
of their love. A man from Bani Udhra was once asked why so many of his tribesmen
died out of love and passion, he replied: "Our hearts are tender [and easily enam-
oured], our women chaste".
ْ � � َّ ََّ أ
�َ�ظ ُّوء مَـــــــاا�تَّـعَ� ت َ
ِ ْٓ �ف�َ ِإـ�ن �مار ي ْ�تِ� ِب�ا�لس 13
� � � ْ َّ َ ََ أ
َولا �عد ت� �� َمن الْ ��ف�ع ِ�ْل ْالـ�ج�َ�م ي� ِ�ْل ق� ٰرى 14
It did not
ْ
prepare
ُ َ ْ َ
a
�غ
feast of
ْأ good
َأ
deeds to present
ُك ن� ت ُ ل ْ�َو
ي 15
�غ�َوا َي� ِت�ه�َا َ �َن ْلِّ� ب� َ ِ ّرد �ج� َماح �ِم ّْن ْ م
ٍ ِ ي 16
خ � ُ َ ُّ َ ُ َ َ
ٖ كما ي�رد �ج�ماح ْالـ� ي�َ� ِ�ْل ِب�ا�لـل
ُّـ�ج�ُم
In the manner wild stallions are reined in by [yanking] bridles.
CANTO 2
In this section, Imam al-Busiri � defines the
reality of Muhammadan love - also known as
ishq-e-Muhammad14 - using actualisation and a
poetic framework of exceptional prose.
INTERESTING FACTS
hh Couplet eighteen is one of the most famous
lines of the Burdah.
FOOTNOTES
A pure, true, chaste, and higher love that perfects a believers faith: “None of you
14 will have faith till he loves me [i.e. the Prophet ]ﷺmore than his father, his children,
and all mankind...” (Bukhari).
15 Although grey hair serves as a poignant reminder about the impending reality of
death, the author is telling us here, as well as at the end of the first chapter, that he
willingly chose to ignore these signs.
16 The guest refers to grey hair, who unlike traditional guests is here to stay for longer
than three days - in this case, until death.
17 Imam al-Busiri � regrets the passing of his youth. As if to say, he would have pre-
pared much better for the Day of Judgement had he realised the error of his ways
much sooner. This is also a simile for one of the best qualities of the Arabs which is to
honour the guest. So, just as the Bedouin’s offered the best hospitality to their guests,
a person should prepare a similar feast of good deeds for the grey hair that sets up
permanent camp on their head.
َ َأ
[So] divert the ego’s desires and beware of empowering it,
ُ ّٰ َ ََ ت ْ َّ
ص�ْـم �و ي�� ٖ�صـم ْ ٰ
ِ �ِإ�ن اله�َوى ما �ولى ي
ٌ َ� ٓئ َ ََ َ ه� َ ْ فِ ْ أ
For vain desires either destroy or defile22 that which it controls.
َُ ْ َ ْ تَ ْ ت � َ ْ ٰ ف َ ت
Shepherd over it as it grazes in the field of actions,
��سم
ٖ � �َ� الْـمرعى �لا ِ ِإو�ن ِه ي� اس�حل
And should it find the pasturage sweet, do not let it roam23.
ً�َ� ل�َ َّـذ ًة � �ل ّْـل َم ْرء ق� تا� َلة ْح َّـس ن� ت َ � ك ْم
َ
ِ ِ 21
How often it
َّ
has
ِف
found delight
19 This shows the author's remorse. Reflecting, in hindsight, and feeling ashamed be-
fore Allah ﷻ, he wants us to know that if he had a chance to turn back time, he
would have changed his ways well before the arrival of grey hair.
20 The struggle against the ego is real and only by turning back to Allah ﷻcan this
battle be won.
21 Imam al-Busiri � is offering an antidote to the snares of one's ego, and that is to
refuse to meet its demands by starving it from its desires.
22 If the ego is given authority, then it has the power to ruin a person.
23 Sometimes performing certain acts of worship, even if they are permitted or rec-
ommended, can be pleasing for one's ego. Thus, the author is warning readers to
not rest on their laurels and keep their wits about them during the performance of
their actions. If a certain act pleases the ego, then a person should swiftly move
onto another. Similarly, a person must be the shepherd of their ego, otherwise it will
graze on the unlawful.
24 Quite often, unlawful actions of disobedience are sugar coated in order to make
them desirous to the ego, yet their reality is the opposite: “Paradise is surrounded
by hardship and the Hell-Fire by temptations...” (Muslim).
25 Imam al-Busiri � warns against the complete and sudden withdrawal from an ad-
diction. Similarly, the ego needs to be weaned gently, as any abrupt changes or
complete cessation may in fact lead a person falling further astray.
26 Always oppose the Devil and the lower self, for they are both trying to lure people
away in order to ambush them. Oppose them by doing the opposite of what they
invite you towards.
27 An expression from the author that indicates his lack of reliance upon his deeds.
�ا�ل� ي�َّ� �ْط ََان َو �اع ِْص��همَـا ا�ل�� َف�ْس َو ش َ َّو خَ�ا�� ِلف ن 24
َُّّص�ْح � ت
َ �ا�ل
اك ن َ ََ � ْ َ � َّ�ض
ف�َـا� �� ٖهم ِإون ه�ُما َمـح
And if either offers you advice, then remain suspicious.
َ َ � ُ َ
َولا ت�� ْ�طع �� نْم� �ه َُما خ� َْصم�ًـا َّولا ح ك ًما 25
ْ َ ْ �أ َ نْ تَ تَ ُ َ َ � خ
Submit to neither, whether they come as adversary or arbiter,
�
�ف�َـ��� �ع ِ�ْرف ك ي��ْد ْالـ�َص ِم وال َحك ٖ�َم
� َ َ �ت�َ�غ َأ
As by now, you should have cottoned onto the subtle tricks of both26.
�ق
�س�ْ� ْ� ُ��فر الله �� ْمن � َْو ٍل ۢ ِب�لا ع ََـم ٍل 26
ُ َأ
I have not prepared for death by increasing in optional devotions;
ف ّ ُأ
َول�َ ْـم �ص ِل ��سوى �ر ٍض� ول ْ�َم �ص ٖم
َّ ْ ٰ َ
Neither praying or fasting beyond what is obligatory27.
PRAISING THE PROPHET ﷺ
I have neglected the path29 of the one who kept the nights alive
ُّ ُ َ َ ق ْ َ َأ
َ َ
� �دماه ا� ضل� َّر �� ْمن ور ٖم ا��ت�َك ت ْ�� ِن ش
�ٰ َ ٗ َ ٓ َأَ ش
By praying until his ﷺ feet swelled with distress30.
Who
َ
to
ََ ْ أ
suppress
ً
hunger,
َ
tightened
َ َ ْ َتَ ْ ت
his ﷺ midriff;
َ
ارة ك��ْحا مُّ�ت�ْـرف ال�د ٖم ش ِ ��ح� ال�� جح
Strapping stones to his delicate skin31.
َ ْ ُّ َُّ َ َ َ تْ ُ � ُ ش
ﷺ
ٗك َد تْ� ُزه َ�ْد ٗه ���ف يْـ� �هَـــــــا ضَ� ُر ْو َرتُ�ه �و 32
INTERESTING FACTS
hh Did you know that couplet thirty-six is en-
graved on one of the locks that secure the
Prophet ﷺblessed residence (hujrah al-sha-
rif). Also, many other couplets previously
adorned the Prophet's ﷺMasjid, but have
been have been removed during recent
renovations.
hh It is narrated that Imam al-Busiri � recited
the Burdah to the Prophet ﷺduring his bless-
ed dream. Upon reaching couplet fifty-one,
the Imam recited the first hemistich and
stopped as he had not finished the poem.
Now, at this very moment, the most euphoric
moment occurred - the Prophet ﷺcompletes
the couplet himself and adds the second
hemistich: 'And [yet, without exception] he
ﷺis the best of Allah’s ﷻcreation'. Thus,
showcasing the acceptance of the Burdah
and its majesty.
�ْ َ ُ ْ تُ خ
How could worldly need tempt such a man ﷺ,
َ � َ ْ ن ُّ َ
ل�َولاه ل�َم ��ْرِ�ج ا�لـد� ي��َا �� من الْع�َد ٖم
When without him ﷺ, the world would never have existed33!
ّث َ ُ
َ م � َح ـ ـ ـ َّـم ٌد س�َ ي� ُ��ّد ال�ْك ْونَ� ْي� ِن َو
ا�ل��ق�َ �َل ي��ْـ 34
� ْ َّ ْ ُ ْ ْ ْ � َ
ٖ ف�َر��ق�َ ي� ِن �� من عر ٍب� ��و من ع
َـ�ج�َم ِىن والْ� ِ ي
ٌا�ل�َّاه ْ� ف� َلا أَ� َحد ْٰ أ
Leader of both assemblages, Arab and all others.
َ
the commander of good, forbidder of evil;
ُ َ �ق َأ
َ ن
� ب�ر ي ْ�فِ� �َو ِل لا �� م��ْه ولا ن��َـع ٖ�َم ْ َّ َ
�� َ � َ ُ َّ ْ تُ ْ ج ٰ ش
No soul kept his word more justly, whether it was 'yes' or 'no'.
30 “The Prophet ﷺwould pray until his feet were swollen. It was asked: “Why do you
do this when Allah has forgiven your past and future sins?” The Prophet ﷺreplied:
“Should I not be a grateful servant? ” (Bukhari)
31 During the Battle of the Trench, some of the noble companions demonstrated how
hungry they were to the Prophet ﷺby lifting their upper garments to reveal a stone
tied to their stomachs; this was done in order to suppress their appetites. Upon see-
ing this, the Prophet ﷺuncovered his ﷺblessed stomach to show not one stone
tied, but two!
32 “...Jibril � enquired: "Would you like me to turn these mountains into gold and
silver for you, being with you wherever you go?" The Messenger of Allah ﷺlowered
his head for some time and then said: "O Jibril �! This world is the abode of he who
has no abode and it is the wealth of he who has no wealth; only a person lacking
intellect seeks to amass it.” (Bayhaqi)
34 The Prophet ﷺis the master of both this world and the Hereafter, as well as the
master of the humans and the Jinn.
35 The Prophet ﷺis the 'beloved' of Allah ﷻ, which is a higher rank than the 'intimate
friend' (i.e. khalil - the rank of the Prophet Ibrahim �).
36 The intercession of the Prophet ﷺis true. Both the greatest intercession (shafa'ah al-
kubra) and praiseworthy station (maqam al-mahmud) are reserved solely for him ﷺ.
37 “And hold firmly - all together - to the rope of Allah and do not become divided.”
{3:108}
38 The Prophet Muhammad ﷺis the best of all the Prophets and the greatest from
amongst them: “These are the Messengers, to whom We gave excellence over
each other; of them are some with whom Allah spoke and some whom He exalted
high above all others...” {2:253}.
39 Although our Prophet ﷺis the final Messenger, all the Prophets that came before
him ﷺrecognised and knew about him ﷺ. They even took a covenant to believe in
him ﷺand to support him ﷺ: “And [remember] when Allah took a covenant from
the Prophets...to believe and support him...” {3:108}.
َ َ
ِعل ٍ�ْم َّولا ك َر ٖم �َِول ْ�َم ُي� َد نا� ْوُه ي ْ�ف
Their knowledge and nobility did not rival38 his ﷺ.
ُ
الله ُمل�ْ�ت�َ�م ٌس ِ َوكل �ُّه ُْم �ِم ّْن َّرس ْ�ُو ِل 39
They
َ
all
ّ
petition39 the
َ� أ
Messenger of Allah
� غَ ْ ف
ﷺ
الد ي� ٖم َ
�ّن مِ ف�ًا
� ْ�
� ش رَ وْ � ْر �َح �ْ�ل ا َ
ّن مِ ا � �ر
ِ ِ ب
For cupfuls from his ﷺ ocean40 and sips from his ﷺ boundless rain41.
� َ ْ ْ نُّ ق� � � أَ ْ ْ ش
They stand before him ﷺ, respecting their limits;
َ ََّ ئ ُ ن َ ُ
�ُـم ا َْط�ف�َاه ح �� ب� ي�ْ� ب��ًا ب��ۢـ ِار� ا�ل�س ٖم
When the Creator of mankind chose him
َنَ َّ ٌ ْ ش
ﷺ as His beloved.
َ َ ْ ْ
ٖك ي�فِ� محا��س���نه ٍ �م�ُ�زه ع�َن � ِر ي 42
been revealed; for if the veils were lifted, our eyes would be unable to behold his ﷺ
majesty. Thus, the metaphors that are used to describe him ﷺare only for the sake
of approximating and drawing similitudes - for the Prophet's ﷺessence is far too
exquisite and his ﷺhonour is far loftier.
43 Leaving aside what the Christians claim about the Prophet Jesus �, we are free to
praise the Prophet Muhammad ﷺas much as we want. In fact, we are strongly en-
couraged to laud and praise the Prophet ﷺby mentioning his ﷺnoble qualities, his
ﷺbeautiful way, his ﷺamazing miracles, and anything else associated to him ﷺ.
44 When Allah praises the Prophet ﷺHimself, then how inadequate is our praise of him
ﷺ- even if it is extensive and far-reaching!
45 No one, either before us or after us, will ever realise the true essence of the Prophet
ﷺ.
46 One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Prophet ﷺwas his ﷺluminous smile
and happy countenance. Whenever he ﷺmet anyone he ﷺwould do so with a
smile: “I have never seen anyone smile more than the Prophet ﷺ...” (Shama'il
al-Muhammadiyya).
47 “I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺon the night of a full moon...at times I looked at
him ﷺand at times I looked at the moon...thus, I came to the conclusion that he ﷺis
more beautiful than the full moon.” (Shama'il al-Muhammadiyya)
48 The Prophet ﷺis the best of creation. Therefore, when his ﷺblessed body touched
the earth, his ﷺperfumed body made the world fragrant. May our souls be sac-
rificed for the tomb he ﷺresides in; for verily, in it, there is purity, generosity, and
nobleness.
Set aside that which the Christians claimed for their Prophet,
َواح ك ْ�ُم ِب� َما شِ� ئ� تَ�ْ� َم ْد ًحا �ف� ي��ْهِ َواح �ت�َ� ٖ�كم
َ َ نْ ُ ْ ٰ َ ت َ ش ئ تَ ْ ش
And then praise him ﷺ as you will - doing so discerningly43.
َ
� ِإ�لى ذ ِا�هٖ ما ِ���ْ� �� من �ر ٍف وا�س ب 44
�َ نْ ُ ْ ٰ ق ْ َ ش ئ تَ ْ ظ
Ascribe - to his ﷺ essence - what you wish of honour,
ْ َ
ِ � ِإ�ن �َ ل رس�ُو ِل 45
َح ٌّد � ي� ُ�ع ِ�ْر َب� ع ن�َ� ُ�ْه نَ� �ا� ٌطق ۢ ِب�� ٖف�َم
Cannot be expressed by two lips and a tongue44.
ٰ ْ نَ � تْ ق
ـ� � ْد َ ٗره ا َي� تُا� ُه �� ع� �ظ�َمًـــــــا َ�ل�َو �اس�َ ب 46
ٰ ْ ُ َ ْ ٗ ُ ْ أَ ح
If miracles were apportioned to his ﷺ stature in magnitude,
ّ َ َ
الرم ٖ�َم ِ � ي��َا اسمه ح� ي�ن ي�دعى د ِارس
Then the very mention of his name would revive decaying bones.
ُْ ��
ﷺ
َ
ٖل ْ�َم يَ� ْم ت�َ�ـ��ح نّ�َـا ِب� َما ت�ع�ْ ي��َا الْعُ�ق�ُول ِب�ه 47
َ ن ْ َ
� ول�َم � �� ٖهمْ َ ت ْ َ ن ْ
ح�رصا عل ي�َ��ْ��َا �ل�َم �ر� ب
Out of concern for our welfare; so we neither wandered, nor wavered.
َ ف ُ َ ف � َأ
ُ
�ع�ْ ي��َا ال َْورى � ُه�ْم م�َع ن�ْ��َاه �ل�َ ي��ْس ي� ٰرى ٰ 48
� ۢ ْ ْ ن � ُ َْ ش ْ تَ ظ
كا�ل�َّم ِس ��ه�َر �� للْع ي�َ��ْ��َ ي� ِن �� من ُ� بـــع ٍ�ُد 49
He ﷺ
َأ
is like the sun, which seems distant [when seen] from afar,
َ ْ ُّ ُص�َ���غ ْ� َرًة َوت
لطَّرف �� ْمن �م ٖ�َم �كل ا ِ � ي
But when glimpsed up close, dazzles in blinding reflection.
ا�لـد نْ� ي��َا �ح ��َ� ي�ْق��ق�َ� ٗت�َه ُّ �ِك� َ�ْف ُ� ْدر ُك �ف َ َ
و
ِ ي ي ي 50
�ُْ
How can his reality be understood in this world
َق� ْ ٌ ن ٌ ت
ﷺ
ُ
�َوم ِ� ي��َام �سلَّوا ع�َ��ْه ِب�الحل ُٖم ن ْ َ
َ
By slumberous souls that are distracted from him by their dreams?
�ف�َـم ب��ْل 51
� ََ أَ نَّ ٗ خَ ْ ُ خ
The most we know him is that he is human,
�ُ
ﷺ ﷺ
ُ َ
وكل ا ٍي� ��ى الرسل ال�ْ��كرام ِب�ه�َا 52
He ﷺ is the
ِف
bounteous sun and they
ْ ن َ ُ ظْ َ أ
its planets;
ٌۢ ُ
their lights
ٗ َ َ
to humanity
َ
in the
�
darkness
َ خ ْ
of night.
ْ َأ
خ
�ك ِرم ِب��ل ِْق � ِب� ٍي ّ� زا�ه �ل�ُق ن ن 54
ّت � ْۢ ش
Prophet adorned with such character!
ش ْ ُ ْ
�ُ��ت�َ�م ٍل ِب�ال�ْ ���ب� ِر مُ� َِـس ٖم ْ� ِب�الحس ِن م
Beauty itself shines forth from his ﷺ smiling46 face:
َ َ
الز ْه ِر �فِ ي ْ� ت َ� َر ٍف َّوال ب�ْ� ْ�َد ِر �فِ ي ْ� ش� َر ٍف َّ ك 55
َ
bounteous
ٌ
sea
ف
and as
�
infinite
ٗ
as
َّ ََ أtime.
َ
seemed surrounded by battalions and an entourage.
ِف ُ � � ُ � ْ ََ أ
َ
ك��َّـما اللُّؤُلـؤ الْـمكْ��ُون � ي ْ� صد ٍف ْ ن َ َ ن 57
َـــــــم
ٖ
� ��ُ�ْ�م ن��َ� �ْ�طق ِم ن�ّ� ٗ�ْه َوم ب
ت�َس ٍ ْ��� ْمن مَّع ِ�ْد نَ� ي
Poured from the treasury of his ﷺ speech and smile.
ٗـ� ي��َـع�ْد ُل تُ� ْ ًبر�ا ضَ� َّم أَ� �ع ظ�ْ� َُمه َ ْ�
� �
�ط ا
َ
ل
ِ ي ب 58
�ت
ـ���شق ِمّ�ـه وم�ُـل َْـ�ــ� ٖ��ثـم �ت ن ُ ٰ ْ
ٍ ط بُو�ى �ل ِـم��ْ�َـ
Blessed are those who inhale its scent or brush lips against its soil48!
THE BIRTH OF THE PROPHET ﷺ
� � ٗ ُ � َ َأ
ُ
�ْ� ع نُ�ْص ِر ٖه � ب�ان م ْ َِولده ع ْ�َن ��ط ي� ِب َ 59
On that day
َ
the Persians
ْ �
sensed
� ُ ْ
that
ُ
they
ْ ن ُق ْ أ had
ْ ََ ش ْ أ
That evening the Arch of Khosrow51 cracked into pieces;
ُ َ ْ َْ ٰ �غ َ
ا� ِكسرى ي�ر م �ْل�ت�َ� ٖ��ئم كــ��َم ِل �صح ِب
َأ َْ ن ُ خَ َ ُ ْ أ َ ن
Likewise, the solidarity of Khosrow's people, never to be restored.
FOOTNOTES
49 The birth of the final Messenger ﷺwas a blossoming for the entire Universe. Ex-
clamations of the joyous news arrived in quick succession, with miraculous events
occurring before, during, and after the Prophet's ﷺblessed birth; an announcement
of the arrival of the pure chosen and elected one ﷺ.
50 Refers to the Persians, in particular their ruler Khosrow (Kisra), who were fore-
warned about their demise by soothsayers.
51 An earthquake occurred on the night the Prophet ﷺwas born, shaking the suppos-
edly indestructible palace of Kisra to its core, where fourteen towers collapsed. This
was a clear sign of the impending destruction of the Persian empire.
52 The Persians sacred fire, which had burnt continuously for over 1000 years in the
temple of Zoroastrian, was extinguished on the day of the Prophet's ﷺblessed birth.
54 The Lake of Saveh unexpectedly dried up, a miraculous occurrence given that the
lake was nearly 5km wide.
55 Refers to the Jinn screaming in anguish as the light and truth of the Prophet's ﷺ
blessed birth dispelled their darkness and disbelief: “The Devil cried out aloud on
four occasions: When Allah ﷻdeclared him as cursed; when he was thrown out
[of the Heavens]; when the Prophet ﷺwas born; and when Surah al-Fatiha was
revealed...” (Ibn Kathir).
56 Soothsayers were informed by Jinn about the birth of Prophet ﷺ, yet, they ignored
these signs until they manifested in front of their eyes - consigning them to defeat.
57 Prior to the Prophet's ﷺblessed birth, the Heavens were guarded intensely by the
Angels and any Jinn who tried to eavesdrop was attacked by comets/shooting stars:
“And We have guarded it [the Heavens] from every accursed devil, except one
who is able to snatch a hearing and he is pursued by a brightly burning flame...”
{15:18}.
َ ْ ظ � � � ُ َ َّ ُ َ
ارد َه ـ ـ ــا ِب�الْـ ي�غ�َ� ِْ� ح� ي�ن � ٖظ�َمى ِ ورد و
With those searching for water returning delirious with thirst.
� ٓ � � � ّ َّ ََ أ
ك�ن ِب�ا ن�ل�َ ِـار مَـا ِب�الْ َـمـــــا ِء �� ْمن ب� َۢــل ٍ�َل 64
َْ ْ � ُّ َ ظ
Jinn cried from afar55; the flare [of his ﷺ birth] lit up the darkened land,
َ ْ َ ً ن ْ ُ
والحَق ي��ه�َر �� من مَّع�ْ�ى ��و من ك �� ٖلم
The truth had manifested, in both meaning and word.
Yet, they [the disbelievers] were blind and deaf, so the glad tidings
�ْ ش َ ْتُ َ ْ َ َ ق ُ ْ ن
ٖ �ُ�س�ْمع بو� ِار�ة ال ِإ��ذ ِار ل�َم �ت
َـــــــم
َ َ َ �ْ � َ َ أَ خْ َ َ ْ أَ ق
Went unheard, and the warning lights unseen.
[This] even
�
after their
َّ
own
�
soothsayers56
� ُ � َْ ن
declared
َّ َأ
ْ
ِب��ن ِد ي��هُم الْـمعْو�ج ل�َم ي�َـ� ٖق�ُم َ ُ
That their crooked creed would not last.
58 Abraha - the Abyssinian, Christian ruler of Yemen - wanted to destroy the Ka‘bah in
Makkah and marched towards it with a large army. However, the army of Abraha
was defeated - Allah ﷻprotected His house - and attempted to flee, as flocks of
birds dropped small stones on them.
59 During the Battle of Badr, but also before that in Makkah, and after that at the Battle
of Hunayn, the Prophet ﷺthrew gravel or pebbles at the pagans, hitting them indi-
vidually and directly in the eyes. This was one of the miracles of the Prophet ﷺas
mentioned in the Qur'an: “And you threw not [O Muhammad ]ﷺwhen you threw,
but it was Allah who threw...” {8:17}.
The glorification of the pebbles is a miracle of the Prophet ﷺ: “The Prophet ﷺput
60 some pebbles in his ﷺhand, and they began to glorify Allah ﷻ. Then he ﷺplaced
them in Abu Bakr’s hand and they continued their glorification...” (Abu Dawud).
61 The Prophet Yunus (Jonah) � was freed from the belly of the whale after he glorified
Allah ﷻ: “And had he not been of those who exalt [Allah ]ﷻ, He would have
remained in the belly of the whale until the Day they are resurrected...” {37:143-
144}.
ن َ ْ َ� ق� َّ َّ ف� َ َ فِ ْ أ
And [even] after they witnessed shooting stars57 on the skyline
ْ
م نُ� َ�ْ��ض ةٍ و�ْق ما � ي� ال�ر ِض� �� من ص� ٖ�َم
Falling to earth, as their idols came crashing down.
ٌح تّٰ�ى �غَ َدا ع ْ�َن �ط ي َْر�ق �ال َْو ْح� �م نُْ�ه�َزم
ِ ِي ِ ِ 69
[As if] they were fleeing like the wretched combatants of Abraha58,
َ � ْ َ َأ
ُ َّ ْ
�ْ �و ع�َس�ْكر ِب�الحَصى �� من راح�ت�َ ي��ْهِ ر ِم ي ٰ ۢ ٌ ْ
Or the army pelted by pebbles slung from his hand59.
ً َن
ﷺ
� ن � ۢ � ْ َ َ ۢ
َط�ْ���همَـــــــا ِ �� ب��ْذا ِب�هٖ ب�ع�ْد �ت�َـس �� ب� ي� ٍْح ِب� ب 71
ٓ �ْ أَ ش
[Pebbles] flung from his palms after praising60 [Allah ;]ﷻ
� َ ن
ﷺ
� �ت ُ
�َ�ـ ب��ْذ الْـمس ب�َ� ِ��ّح �� من �ح�َــــا ِء مل�ْ�َ� ٖ�قم �
Just as the one [Jonah61 �] glorifying [Allah ]ﷻwas cast from the whale.
THE MIRACLES OF THE PROPHET ﷺ
ً َ َ ُ َ ْ � ٓ َ تْ َ َ ت ْ أ َ ش
�ْو�هِ ال���ج ار س ِجا�دة ِ �ج َ ـ ــاء� �� لـدع 72
Trees answered his ﷺ beck and call62; bowing before him ﷺ,
َ
َت� ْم شِ� ي ْٓ� ِإ�ل ي�َ��ْهِ َع ٰلى َس ٍاق ِۢب�لا � َق�َـد ٖم
They
ْ
walked
َ
towards
�
him
ْ �
ﷺ on
َّ ََ أfootless trunks.
� ُ ْ
��ق�ْـس�َم ت
ِ ِ ِ ِ 75
FOOTNOTES
62 It is narrated in Tabarani that after announcing his ﷺProphethood, the Prophet ﷺ
would not pass by a tree or a stone without it saying 'peace be upon you, O Mes-
senger of Allah !'ﷺThus, leading on from the previous chapter which ended with the
topic of the pebbles that glorified Allah ﷻ.
63 This refers to the wonderful miracle of the Prophet ﷺwhere a Bedouin asked him
ﷺfor signs of his ﷺProphethood: “Once a Bedouin asked for a miracle while we
64 Prior to the Prophet ﷺannouncing his ﷺProphethood, a miracle took place where
Allah ﷻshaded the Prophet ﷺwith a cloud during his ﷺjourney to the Levant. This
was witnessed by the Prophet's ﷺservant Maysara, Buhayra the monk, as well as
Lady Khadijah �.
65 The poet very cleverly combines the mentioning of two miracles for this couplet;
combining the miracle of the Prophet ﷺsplitting the moon in two (shaq al-qamar)
- “The hour has drawn near and the moon has split...” {54:1} - along with the
splitting of the Prophet's ﷺchest (shaq al-sadr), which was performed on four occa-
sions: The first, when the Prophet ﷺwas a young boy; the second, when the Prophet
ﷺwas ten years old; the third, when revelation began (in the cave of Hira); and the
66 During the Prophet's ﷺHijra, Allah ﷻprotected him in the cave of Thawr. This was
a miracle, as the Prophet ﷺand our master Abu Bakr � remained veiled from
the disbelievers despite their extreme closeness.
69 A further miracle took place at the cave of Thawr: When the disbelievers saw a
dove's nest and a spiders web unruffled at the entrance of the cave they decided
not to enter the cave.
70 “O Messenger of Allah !ﷺDo you not go to sleep before performing the witr
prayer? He ﷺreplied: 'O Aisha! My eyes sleep, but my heart does not.” (Bukhari)
71 There are many narrations that showcase the miracles that occurred when the
Prophet ﷺprayed for rain.
َ�فا� ِّلص ْد ُق �فِ� �الْ�غ�َار َوا� ِّلص ِّد يْ� ُق ل ْ�َم َي�رما
ِ ِ ي 77
The
َأ
truth67 ﷺ and the truthful68
� � َ ْ � ْ �َ � ْ َ ق
� did not waver,
ْ
�غ�َار �� من � ِر ٖم ِ وهُم ي��ُولُون مَـا ِب� ْالـ
While the enemies cried outside: “There is no one inside!”.
ٰ� نّظ�َ�ُوا � ْالـح َ�َم َام َو� نّظ�َ�ُوا �الْع ن�َ� ��ْك ب�َ� ُْو تَ� َعلى 78
َخَ ْ َ ّ ْ تَ ن ْ َ ْ ت
[Extremely] presumptuous in thinking a spider would not spin its web,
�
� ي� ِر ال�ْ ب� ِر َ� ي ــةِ ل�َم � �ْ�س�ُ�ج ول�َم �ح ُٖم
� َ ْ َأ
Or that a dove would hover for the best of creation
ُ ق
ﷺ69.
[Thus, I found] life did not mistreat me when I turned to him ;ﷺ
َٗلا تُ� ن� ِ�ْكر �ال َْو ْح َ� �� ْمن ُر ْ َيؤ� ُاه إ� َّن َله
ِ ي ِ 82
ن َ ْ
�َان ل�َم ي�� ٖ�َم ن
ِ �ْ��َ��َ� الْع ي ِ � ْل بـ��ًا ِإ�ذا �ام
Although his eyes may sleep, his heart never slumbers70!
َ
ق�َ� � ِ بر�ا ِم�ّن ِ بر��ق�َةِ اللم ٖم ْ ً َ �َو
ط�ْلـ� ت
And how many a madman were released from their affliction?!
ٗا�ل�ه�ْ ب� ٓ�َا َء َدع َ�ْوتُ�ه
َّن َ ش ْ َأ
َو�ح ي� ِت
�َ� ا�لسَّ�َّة 86
His ﷺ
�
prayer
ُّ ُ � َح تّٰ ح َ ْ غُ ً فِ ْ أ
revived the land in a year of drought71,
With such
� َ ٌ
generous rain
َ� أ
clouds you would think
ْ
�ْ� ِم َ�ّن ْالـ ي� ِّ�َم �و س ي�َ��ْل ِم�ّن الْـع ِ�َر ٖم َس ي� ٌ ب
The valleys were aflow with the ocean or Arim's72 burst dams.
IN PRAISE OF THE EXALTED QUR’AN
َ َّ َ ن ْ َ َ ف َ ٰ َ ت
�ْا� ل ٗه ظ� َه�َر ت ٍ �ص�ْ� ي� ا ي
ِ دع ِ�ْ� ي� وو 88
فالد ُّر يَ� ْ َزد ُاد ح س ن�ْ��ًا َو �ه َْو �م نُ� ت��ْ� ��َ� ٌظم
ُّ � 89
Though a pearl’s beauty may increase if strung together [with other pearls],
َ ق �ق
َول�َ ي� َ�ْس يَ� ن��ْ� ُُص � ْد ًرا �غ ْي� َر م ن�ُ� ت��ْ� ��َ� ٖظم
Its value will not diminish when displayed on its own73.
ٰ ْ َ � َ ٰ ُ ُ � ََ ت
�ف�َـما �طَاول ام ِال الْـم ِد ي� ِح ِإ�لى 90
ّ ْ َ َ ْ أ َ خْ َ َ ش
How can the poet hope this [poem of] praise
ا�ل� ي� ٖ�َم
ِ اق و َ �ف
ِ ما � ي��ْهِ �� من كر ِم ال��ل
Could ever express the nobility of his character and traits74?
ٌَ ُ ُٰا َ� ت
ﷺ
الرح ٰم ِن م ْح َد ث�ة
َّ ا� �ح َّق ِم َ�ّن
ٍ ي 91
These [Qur'anic] verses are signs of truth from the Most Merciful;
َ � � � ُ ٌ ق
� ِد يْ� َمة ��ص�ف�َة ْالـم�َوص�ُو ِف ِب�ال �ْ�قد ٖم
ْ ْ
Recent [in expression], eternal [in meaning]; an attribute of the Pre-Eternal.
CANTO 6
After touching upon just a few of the Prophet's ﷺ
miracles, Imam al-Busiri � reserves this chap-
ter to make mention of the Prophet's ﷺgreatest
miracle; the Holy Qur'an.
FOOTNOTES
73 The author is making reference to the miracles that he has mentioned in the previous
canto, which links in nicely with this section. Even though he relates the miracles
of the Prophet ﷺin no particular order, this does not diminish their value or rank.
74 When Allah ﷻpraises the Prophet ﷺHimself, then how inadequate is our praise of
him ﷺ- even if it is extensive and far-reaching!
75 The Qur'an exists beyond the bounds of time and has several verses about the Day
of Judgement - referring to news of the future.
76 The ancient tribe of 'Ad is mentioned frequently in the Qur'an, and refers to news
of the past.
77 A lost city, region, or tribe mentioned in the Qur'an, and refers to news of the past.
78 The verses of the Qur'an are clear and unequivocal; leaving no room for doubt.
79 The miraculous eloquence of the Qur'an is peerless and despite an open challenge,
no one has or will be able to produce the like thereof: “...Then bring one chapter
like it and, other than Allah, call everyone you can if you are truthful...” {10:37}.
80 The Book of Allah ﷻis the clear light, the firm cord, the straight path, the light of
hearts, the expander of breasts, and the key to felicity to those who hold fast to it.
81 On the Day of Judgement, the Prophet's ﷺunique rank will be showcased, with the
Pool of Paradise just one of many distinguishing features that are reserved solely
for him ﷺ. Whomever is allowed to drink from the Prophet's ﷺpool will never go
thirsty again, a sign of salvation in the Hereafter: “This is a pool where my nation
shall gather on the Day of Resurrection Day...” {Abu Dawud}.
َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ �
�َاد وع�َن ع ٍاد وع�َن ِإ� ر ٖم ِ �َن ْالـمع ِ ع
The Last Day75, 'Ad76 [and his people], and Iram77 [and its fall].
َْ���جز � َّ ُ ْ ت َ تْ َ َ ْ ن ف� ق
ٍدام�َ� لد ي���َا �َ�ف�َا�� كل م�ُع ة 93
[Everlasting] they have continued into our time; surpassing the miracles
ُ َ ت ْ َ ْ ت َ َٓ ْ َْ َ ن
ا�ل� �� ب� ي��ّ� ي�ن ِإ�ذ ج�اء� ول�َم �د ٖم َّ �� من
Of the previous Prophets - which manifested but did not last.
ُ � ّ َ تٌ ف
ٍا� � َما ت�ُ� بـ� �� ق�ْ� ْي� َن �� ْمن ش� ب�ُ��َه محَكم 94
َ ح ْ َ َ َّ ُّ �َ � ْ َ تْ ق
�ما حُو ِ بر�� �َط ِإ�لا عاد �� من ر ٍب 95
ق � ُ ْ ْ َ َْ أ
Whenever these words were attacked, even the most bitter of foes
َ ْ َأ
َّ
�عدى ال�ع ِاد ي� ِإ�ل ي�َ�ه�َا مل ِْ� ي َ� ا�لسل ٖ�َم
Returned from the fray begging for peace.
َ
َ َّرد تْ� َب�لا�غ�َ�تُه�َا َدع ٰ�ْوى م�َع ِ�َار ِض�ه�َا 96
َ � ْ ن َ � َ َ ْ � � َّ َ
رد الْ ي�غ�َ�ُو ِر ي�د ْال جـ�ا� يِ� ع ِ�َن الْـح�ُر ٖم
Wards off an assailant hell-bent on violating his home79.
َ َ
َم َد ٍد �ْ �َان كم ْ�َوِ�ج ال ب�ْ� ��َح ِْر �فِ ي ٍ ع َ�
م ه�َا ل 97
� َ ْ ُ ْ َِ ف� ْ َ �ج� ْ َ ف
Their meanings are vaster than the ocean's waves,
�
و�َوق َوه ِر ٖه � ي� الحس ِن وال � قْ� ي� ٖ�َم
ئ َٓ � ٰ ُف َ ت� ُّ َ َ ت
[Even] exceeding the ocean’s treasures in both beauty and value.
Their
َأ marvels are beyond count
ْ ْ َ َ ُ َ �َ َ ت
and reckoning;
َّ
ولا ُ�ـسام على ال ِإ�ك� ِث�َار ِب�ا�لس� ٖم
With frequent repetition never resulting in boredom.
ٗ�ْ� َله ُـار ه�َا ف��َ�ق�ُل ت ْ�ق�َ َّـر تْ� ِب�ه�َا َع ْي� ُن �ق�َ �ي
ِ 99
ٰأَ ط� أْ تَ ح َّ �َ�ظ
If recited when the Fire’s flames overwhelm,
َّش ْ ْ
� ْ�ف�َ�� ر ل ى �� من ِو ِرده�َا ا�ل� ��� ٖبم
� َُّ أَ نَّ ْ � ْ ضُ تَ � ض
They will extinguish the blazing heat with their cool water.
ُ ْ ��ج ُ
ٖك��ه�َا الحَو� � ب�ْ� ي�َ� الْو ُوه ِب�ه 101
� ُ ْ َ َ � َ ً َ َت
Do not be surprised if a resentful soul denounces or denies them
َ� ف َ
��ج اه�ُلا وهْو ع ي�ن الْـح ِاذ ِق الْـ� �� ٖهم
By feigning ignorance, [this] despite possessing understanding.
َ َ ْ ْ ش َ ْ ُ ْ � ُ ق ْ تُ ن
�د ���ْ�ك ر الْع�َ ي�ن �ض�َوء ا�ل�َّم ِس �� من رم ٍد 104
For often, an inflamed eye cannot see the light of the Sun;
� ْ ٓ َ � َ � ُّ � ُ َ ُ ن
س� ٖق�َم َ يو���ْ�ك ر ْالـ�ف�َم َطع�ْم الْـما ِء �� من
Just as a sick tongue cannot taste the sweetness of water.
THE NIGHT JOURNEY AND
ASCENSION OF THE PROPHET ﷺ
�َ خَ ْ َ ْ َ ّ َ � ف
�َا� ُْو َن َساح � ٗت�َه ي�ا � ي�ر م�َن ي�مم الْع 105
� َْ أ
O best of those whose courtyard82 is sought by the needy,
َ �ف
س�َع ي�ْ��ًا َّو� َْوق م ت��ُ� ُْو ِن ال� ي�� ُِق الرس ٖم
ُ ُّ ن ْ
� ٰ ْ ُ ُ َ ٰ� ْ أ
[Who hasten] either on foot or atop of trailblazing dromedaries83!
َوم ْ�َن ه َُو ال� ي�ة ال�ْك ب�رى �� لمع�ْ�ت�َ ِب� ٍر 106
ْ
ا� � َْو َس ْي� ِن ل ْ�َم تُ� ْد َرك َول ْ�َم تُ� َر ٖم �� من � ِب
Of Two Bows87; a rank never before seen or gained.
CANTO 7
Imam al-Busiri � now narrates the miracle of
the Night Journey and Ascension, where the
Prophet ﷺtravelled - in body and soul - from
Makkah to Jerusalem, and then onto the Heav-
ens. Summiting at the station of two bows length
or nearer, the Prophet ﷺsaw Allah ﷻand his
ﷺeyes did not waver. It was during this miracle
that Allah ﷻgifted the Prophet's ﷺnation with
the five daily prayers.
FOOTNOTES
82 Refers to either the Prophet's ﷺmosque or his ﷺblessed residence (hujrah al-sha-
rif).
83 An Arabian camel that has been bred and trained for riding or racing.
87 In reference to the following Qur'anic verse that signifies the proximity and station
that the Prophet ﷺreached: “...and was at a distance of two bow lengths or near-
er...” {53:9}.
88 The greatest secret is not that the Prophet ﷺwent on the night journey, rather it is the
Prophet ﷺreturning back to the world after the ascension: “Then He revealed to
His servant what He revealed...” {53:10}.
And because of this, all the Prophets gave you ﷺ precedence,
َْ َ
الر ْس ِل ت�� ِق�ْد يْ� َم م خ� ُد ْو ٍم َعلٰى خَ� َد ٖم ُّ َو
As well as the Messengers - just as a master precedes those in his service.
َ � َ ُ َ ت ْ خ َ ت َ ْ َأ
� ��� ِرق ا�لس بَّ��ْع ا� �ّلط ب��َاق ِب� �� ْهم َو�� ت ن 110
ِف
ك ٍب� كُ��ْ� � ي��ْهِ ص حا� ب� الْع�َل ٖ�َم ِ � ي ْ� �م َْو
� ً ْ َ ْ تَ َ ْ ش َ أ
With them in procession behind you ﷺ - the standard bearer.
ْ �
�� َمن الد� ِو ولا مر ً�ـــــا لّمس ت�َ�� ٖ��نم
Nor any summit for seekers of heights to attain.
ْ ۢ ْ �ضَ ف َّ ُ َخ�� ف� ََ��ضْ ت
ق�َام ِب�ال ِإ� ا�ةِ ِإ�ذ ٍ � م
َ� ل ك � 112
ُس� ِت�َ�رت
ﷻ
�
called
َأ you ﷺ
َ
to rise
�َ َ تَ ف
forth alone.
ّ ْ َ ْ
ٍ ْ� ك ي��ْـما ��ُوز ِب�وص ٍل � ِي� م 113
Only you
ْ
ﷺ
َأ
basked in this concealed union [with Allah
� �
;]ﷻ
ّ
ع ِ�َن الْع يُ�ُو ِن و ِس ٍر � ِي� م�ُك�ت�َ� ٖت�َم ّ َ ْ �
Veiled from the gaze of onlookers - a secret88 sealed in silence.
َ َُ َّ خَ �غَ ْ َ شْ ت َ ت ْ � َف
ك ٍ �حُز� كل �ف�َـ� ٍار ي�ر م�ُ��ر 114
How glorious
ّْ ن
the ranks you
َ
ﷺ
َُ َّ ْ ُ َ أ
have been granted!
ب�ُ شْ� ٰرى ل ن�َ��َا م�َع شَ�ْ� َر ْال إ� ْس َل ِام ِإ� َّن ل�َ��َان
ِ 116
ُُ أَ ْ َ ْ أ
When Allah ﷻ called him ﷺ
ْ ْ َأ
- whom called us to obey -
َ ن
ِب��كر ِم الرس ِل ك�َّا �كرم ال�م ٖ�َم ُّ َ
The noblest of Messengers ﷺ, we became the most noble of nations.
THE CHIVALROUS STRUGGLE
OF THE PROPHET ﷺ
ْ ن َْ ق � َ � ٰ أ
َراع ت
ٖ�َ� �ل ُْو ب� الْ��عدى ��ۢـ ب� ُ�َاء ِب�ع�ْ� �ث�َ��ته 118
ن
ك �َ� ب��ْ� ٍة � ْ�ف�َل�َ� ُ�ف�ْلا ِم�ّن ْالـ�غ�َ� ٖ�َم
Just as a roar petrifies a goat that has strayed.
َ ََ َ َ َ � � ٗ فِ ْ ُ ّ � ت
ك ٍ ما زال ي� ْل�ق�َاهُم � ي� ك ِل مُع
ر �ْ� 119
He confronted90
َ ح تّٰ ح َ ْ � ن
them on every battlefield91,
ﷺ
َ ض َ ٰ َ ً
�ى كوا ِب�الْ�ق�َ��َا لحْما على و� ٖم �
Until they resembled meat on a butcher’s block92.
َ ْ � ْ ُ َ َ ُّ � َ َ ف
ٖودوا ْال���فرا ر �كادوا ي��َـ�غ�ْ���بطُون ِب�ه 120
So
َ
eager to flee,
� َ
they
ْ
envied
َ َ ْ
the
َأ carrion
Nights
ُ � ْ � ْْ أَ ش
passed, but how many,
ْ ك ْن ِم
they
ُ ََ ْ ت
were unsure;
FOOTNOTES
89 This line leads on nicely from the previous section and how the disbelievers had
been forewarned about the arrival of the Prophet's ﷺ. Upon hearing this news, the
disbelievers hearts became worried and full of fear: “I have been granted victory
through awe at a month's distance...” (Bukhari).
90 The Prophet's ﷺchivalrous struggle lasted over ten years, where the Muslims were
subjugated to some atrocious acts. Despite this persecution, the Prophet ﷺestab-
lished justice without initiating any war. In fact, each battle led by the Prophet ﷺ
was a result of self-defence due to the transgressions of the opposition. This line also
refers to the bravery of the Prophet ﷺ: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺwas the best of
people; the most generous and courageous of them...” (Nasa'i).
91 There was approximately eighty or so expeditions that took place during the life of
the Prophet ﷺ, with many never resulting in actual fighting. Margaret Nydell writes
that the Prophet ﷺparticipated in less than ten of these battles, and she further
mentions that in total, there was less than 1,000 casualties - a stark contrast when
compared to figures reported from modern day warfare.
92 During war, Islam permits the use of force only when stringent conditions are met,
making Islam the most civilised nation, throughout history, during warfare. Some ex-
amples of the chivalrous acts set forth by the Prophet ﷺ: It is prohibited to kill women
and children; killing of non-combatants such as old people, monks, and workers is
explicitly forbidden; it is prohibited to hurt the disabled and weak; it is prohibited to
mutilate the dead; mercy must be shown to those combatants who surrender; there
must be fair treatment of prisoners of war; cutting down trees, destroying surround-
ings, and killing animals without reason is illegal; and finally, there can be no forced
conversion to Islam.
93 The sacred months are Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. Dur-
ing these months it is forbidden to partake in any battles.
94 Islam was initially accepted by a select few before it spread and prevailed. With
this said - before the end of time - Islam will once again return to its origin where
it is followed by only a few: “Islam began as something strange, and soon, it will
return to how it began - as something strange - so glad tidings be to the strangers...”
(Muslim).
� ْ ََ ْ أ
[It was] the stimulus for a sea of soldiers, mounted on swift steeds,
ُ
َي� ْر ِم ْى ِب�م ْ�َوٍ�ج ِم�ّن ال� ب�ط َِال مل�ْ� �ت�َ� ٖطم
To pour forth; [dispatching] wave after wave of surging heroes.
ْ ُ � ُّ
� �� ْمن ك ِل م �ُْ�� ِت�َد ٍب� ِل ِّٰله مح� ِت�َس ٍب ن 124
�
it
ْ
had
ً َ ْ ف� َ ً أ
been obscure94.
96 The Battle of Badr - fought on Friday, the 17th of Ramadan 1 AH (624 CE)- was the
first large-scale engagement between the Muslims and the disbelievers. The victory
for the Muslims, despite being outnumbered 3:1, signified the rising power of Islam
in Arabia. It is one of the few battles that is mentioned in the Qu'ran.
97 The Battle of Uhud, fought on the 7th of Shawwal 7 AH (624 CE), was initiated by an
act of retaliation by the Quraysh following on from the Battle of Badr. Sixty verses of
the Holy Qur'an were revealed after the battle.
98 The three battles are mentioned due to their veracity, and the significance of the
events that took place before and after.
99 This couplet refers to the bravery of the companions, who were the most courageous
of people. With the Prophet ﷺleading them, their prowess and skills remained un-
paralleled, and wherever they went, they were granted victory through the Prophet
ﷺ. The following is narrated by the noble companion Safina �, who encountered
a lion after becoming ship-wrecked: “'O lion! I am Safina, the freedman of Allah's
Messenger ﷺ,' whereupon the lion purred and showed him the way. Safina said: 'I
believe he said salam'...” (Ahmad).
100 When the Prophet ﷺis attributed with being unlettered, it is from the highest de-
grees of merit, as he was not tutored by any man. Rather, Allah ﷻtaught him ﷺ
directly. Thus, everything that appeared and manifested from him ﷺwas from none
other than Allah ﷻ.
� َ ٰ ْ ََّ � ْ أ
Ask Hunayn95, ask Badr96, ask Uhud97 - they will reply:
َ خ َ ح َْ
�ف�ُص�ُول � ٍت�ْف لهُم �دهى �� من الْو� ٖم
"Their fighting is more fatal than epidemics"98.
ْ ت َ َ َ َ َ َ � ً ْ ح ض � ْ � َ
�ال�ْمُص ِد ِر ي� ال �� ب�ْ� ي� ِْ� مرا ب�ۢــع�ْد ما ورد 129
َ ّ َ ّ َ � � َّ ُ َ � َ
�� من الْـ��عدا كل مُسْوٍد ِم�ّن ِاللم ٖم
َ َ ََ َ ْ َ ْ ْ خ� ّ َ ت
After passing through the long black locks of their enemies.
َ ْ أَ ق َ � ْ ح
Like scribes wielding lances for pens
� ن َ ْ َ�غ
��لامُهُم رف �ج�س ٍ�ْم ي�ر م�ُ��ْعَ��� ٖجم
That left no body-part etched without vowel marks.
ّ َ ُ ْ َ ُ ْ َ � َ
َ والْورد ي�م�ت�َاز ِب�ا�لس ي��ّ��ْما ع ِ�َن
ا�لســــــل ٖ�َم
The way a thorny rose is distinguished from a prickly thorn-bush.
ٗا�ل� َّْص ِر �نَ شْ� َره�ُم �ْك َير� ُاح ن َ
�َ�
ي ل�إ ِ ي � ْ تُ� ِه�ْد
ِ 132
ِف َّ ََ أ
ً�ْ� ُ بر�ا ك� ن� ْه�ُم � ي ْ� � ْ ِ ي ِ ب 133
In the
ُ � ْ َّ َْ ش َّ ْ � ْ َ ْ ش
saddle, they were like flowers upon a hilltop,
Their majesty put their enemies heart to flight, [to such extent that]
َت ٰ ْ ُ ْ ُ ْ تَ � ٗ ْ أ
For those who are supported by Messenger of Allah ﷺ,
َ
ِإ�ن �لْ�ق�َه ال�سد ي�فِ� ا ج�امِ ه�َا ���� ٖجم
Then even lions in their dens will fear to face them99.
َ
َول ْ�َن تَ� ٰرى �� ْمن َو ٍيّل� �غ ْي� ِر �م نُ� ت��ْ� َِص ٍۢر 136
You will never see a true ally of his ﷺ who is not triumphant,
�ق َ َ
ِب�هٖ َولا �� ْمن َع ُد ٍّو �غ ْي� ِر �م نُ��ْ� َِص ٖم
Nor a foe of his ﷺ other than dejected and defeated.
ٗ � ُأَ َ َّ أ
ٖ�حل �م ََّ� ـ تـ ــه ي ْ�فِ� ح� ْر ِز ِملَّ��ت�ـــــــه 137
He ﷺ
َفِ أ
established his ﷺ
ََ َّ َ ْ أ
community in the sanctuary of his ﷺ way,
َ
�َال � ي ْ� � ج� ٖم ِ �
ب ْ�
� ش � ال �َع
م ل ح �ْ�ِ ث �َّ
ي ل ال ك
Just as a [great] lion comes to rest with its cubs in the safety of their lair.
ُكل َم ت َ ْ َّ َ
الله �� ْمن َج� ِد ٍل ِ �ا ِ �َ�ك ْم َج�دل ت 138
How often the Words of Allah ﷻ have felled those who oppose him ;ﷺ
َ
ك�ف�َاك ِب�الْ��عل ِ�ْم � ي� ال� ِم ِي� مُعْ���جزة 139
Such knowledge
�فِ � ت
in an
ْأ
unlettered100 man is miracle
َ
enough
� ِف
� � ي� ا �ْل ي�ُ� ُٖم ْ َ ّ
� ي� ْال جـ�ا�� � له� ي�َـةِ وا�ل�تَّ� ِد ي� ِب
In an age of ignorance, as is such erudition from an orphan.
THE PROPHET'S ﷺINTERCESSION
ُ � �أَ ت �
ٖ� ـ ـ ـ َـدم ت��ْ� ُٗه ِب� َم ِد يْ� ٍح �س�ْ� �َ� يق��ْل ِب�ه َخ 140
َ خ
ذ�و ب� ع�ُم ٍر مَ�ى � ي� ا�ل��ّع ِ�ْر وال ِ�د ٖم
The errors of a life misspent in courtly verse and patronage101.
ْٰ َّ ْ ق
ِإ�ذ �ل َد نا� ي َِ� َما � ختُ� ش�ى ع َ�َو ق�ا� ب �� ُٗه 141
ََّ َ َ ْ أٰ ث
In both endeavours I obeyed the caprice of a delirious youth,
َ ن َ
�ْ� ِإ�لا على ال�� ِام وا�ل�َّد ٖم ُ�ح ََّصل ت
Gaining nothing in the end but sins and shame102.
َ َ ف
ار�ه�َا ِ� ي��َا خَ� َس َارة ن�� ٍف�ْس �فِ ي ْ� ِ ت��ج َ َ ت 143
What a loss for my soul during its commerce! In exchange for this world,
ُ ْ َ ْ ن ُّ َ ْ ّ َْ ش ْ ت
الد ي�ن ِب�الد� ي��َا ول�َم �ت�َـس ٖم ِ ل�َم �ت�َـ�� ِر
It did not purchase the next, nor even enter into a transaction.
CANTO 9
Although this chapter is the penultimate section,
it can be argued that this section is the actual
climax of the Burdah. Imam al-Busiri � had one
goal when penning this ode and that was to be-
seech the Prophet ﷺfor his ﷺlofty intercession.
FOOTNOTES
101 The Burdah is a story of redemption and the author is signifying how he has changed
his ways in order to serve the Prophet ﷺ. Within this is a subtle secret, as a person
who desires 'closeness' with Allah ﷻ- through the praise of His beloved ﷺ- will
surely be granted that which they seek.
102 One of the secrets of repentance is acknowledging a sin and showing sincere re-
morse. By doing so, a person is highly likely to receive Allah's ﷻpardon, forgive-
ness, and mercy.
103 Despite accepting his shortcomings, the author is still optimistic as Islam is the re-
ligion of hope and Allah ﷻis as we perceive Him. Therefore, by maintaining the
basis of faith, a person's pledge with Allah ﷻand His Prophet ﷺwill always remain
in tact.
104 There are many ahadith narrating the merits of being named 'Muhammad'. In par-
ticular, the Prophet ﷺwill intercede for all those named 'Muhammad', who will enter
Paradise - if Allah wills - due to the nobility of the Prophet's ﷺblessed name.
105 This couplet is a plea from the author, as he is well aware of the Prophet's grace and
mercy - never turning anyone away, nor leaving anyone empty handed. The slip
is a metaphor for destruction and ruin, which can occur if a person is to slip whilst
crossing the Bridge during the Day of Judgement. And the taking of the hand is a
metaphor for security and intercession.
106 Zuhayr bin Abi Sulma was a pre-Islamic Arabian poet who is most famous for his
panegyric ode in praise of Harim bin Sinan, the chieftain of the Bani Dhubyan tribe.
In return, Zuhayr was gifted worldly adornments which inevitable wilted away. Un-
like Zuhayr, Imam al-Busiri wishes to exchange his poem for an eternal reward;
nobility and intercession in the Hereafter.
� ْ ِف َ � َ ْ ِف ُ ْ � َٗ ْ َ
ســــل ٖ�َم
َ �ي� ِب�ن له ْالـ�غ�َ ب�ن � ي� ب� ي� ٍْع و� ي
Will soon witness the treachery this type of negotiation brings.
ً
�ْ � ِإ� َّن ي ْلِ� ِذ َّمة ِم ن�ّ� ُ�ْه ِب��ت�َس�ْ�م ي� ِت�َ� ي 146
� َُ � َّ ً َ � َ أَ ْ فَ ْ خ
Surely I have a bond with him having been named
ّ
ﷺ
ْ ِك ْن �ف ُ َ ْ ْ
ِ ي ي ِ عم
َ� � ي �ِإ�ن لَّم ي 147
َ
�َ لا ِإو�لا �َ�ُل ي�ا زلَّـة ْال�ق�َد ٖم
Out
ٗارمه
َ �َك
of
َ
kindness, then how [terribly]
َ � َ ْ ََ َ ُ أ
my feet will slip105.
م � َّ
ْ �ح شا�اه �ن ي�حْرم الر ِجا
ِ ي ِ 148
َأَ ْ َ ْ َ � َ ُ ن ُ �غَ ْ َ ُ ْ ت
Far be it from him ﷺ to deprive the hopeful of his ﷺ gifts,
َ
�و ي�ر��� جع ْال جـ�ار �� م��ْه ي�ر مح�ر ٖم
Or to turn away anyone away who seeks his ﷺ protection.
ٗكار ْ� َم َد ِ ئا� َحه َ َ ن ُ أ َ ْ َ تُ أ َ ف
وم�ُ��ْذ �لزم�ْ� �� ِ ي 149
َ ََّ ْ � ُ نْ تُ ْ أَ ْ َ فِ ْ أ
His ﷺ bounty will never ignore a dusty [outstretched] hand,
ْ
�َ�ت�َط�ف ت َ ��ول�َم � ِرد زهرة الد� ي��َا ال َِّ� ي� ا 151
َْ َ ُ ْ ۢ َ أَ ث
No longer do I crave the prize-flowers of this world,
� ٰ َ
ي�دا زه�َ ي� ٍر ِب�ما ���ى على َه ِـر ٖمٰ ن
Like those Zuhayr received for his praise of Harim106.
OBSECRATIONS AND PRESENTING NEEDS
ُ ْ � َ َ أ َ ْ َ َ ْ خَ � َ ْ ْ أ
ٖي�ا �كرم ال�ل ِْق ما يلِ� م�َن � لُوذ ِب�ه 152
� َ َ ن َ حُ � ْ ْ َ ث
O most generous of all creation! Whom should I implore,
َ
��سواك ��ع��ْد لُو ِل الح ِاد ِ� الْع�َم ٖم
Except you, when the dreaded Day [of Judgement] occurs107?!
َ َ
�ْالله َج� �اهُك ِب� ي ِ َول ْ�َن يَّ�� ي���ض� َْق َرس ْ�ُول 153
ّٰ َ ََ ْ ُ ت
O Messenger of Allah !ﷺ Your rank will never diminish by my need,
� �ت ن � َ
ِإ�ذا ال�ْك ِ ير�م ��ج لى ِب�اس ِ�ْم مُ��ْ�َـ� ٖ�قم
Even if the Generous One should manifest as the Avenger108.
َ ْ �ف َّ ْ �ج
الد نْ� ي��َا َو ضَ� َّر تَ�ه�َا ُّ ك � ِإ�ن �� من ُِود 154
From your bounty flows the goodness of this world and the next,
� َ ْ َ َ ْ�ُ ْ َ
��و من عل ��ُو مك ِعل�ْم اللَّو ِح و ْال�ق�َل ٖ�َم
And from your knowledge is the understanding of the Pen and Tablet109.
ْ ت َ �َ نَ ُ َ تَ ن ْ ْ َ َّ � ظ
�ي�ا ��ف�ْس لا ��ق�ْ� ِ�َط ي� �� من زل ٍة عَ�ُم 155
َ َ َ �َّ � َ ٓ ئ َ فِ � �غ
ِإ�ن الْـك ب��َا ِ�ر � ي� الْ ُ�ف�ْر ِان كاللَّـم ٖم
When Divine forgiveness manifests, mortal sins become mere blunders110.
CANTO 10
The capstone of the Burdah is chapter ten. It sig-
nifies the end of the poem and the sealing of the
contract that Imam al-Busiri � has been explicit-
ly wanting to close since canto nine.
INTERESTING FACTS
hh Couplets (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix),
and (x) are not part of the Burdah. Over the
centuries, these lines have been added to
end of the final chapter by unknown Ulema.
Some of these extra couplets are, in fact,
more famous than lines of the actual Burdah.
FOOTNOTES
107 On the Day of Judgement, the Prophet's ﷺrank over all of creation will be wit-
nessed, where none will be able to deny it: “I will be the leader of the children of
Adam on the Day of Resurrection. [Where I will be] the first to be resurrected, the
first to intercede, the first whose intercession is accepted; and this is no boast...”
(Bukhari).
108 On the Day of Judgement, one of Allah's ﷻblessed names - 'The Avenger' - shall
manifest. It will be the most tremendous time during the Day of Judgement. This is
why the Imam al-Busiri is seeking the Prophet's ﷺintercession during this moment,
as it a time where all other claimants will be cut-off and the only one who can help
is the Prophet ﷺ. This is the reason for why the author also penned the previous
couplet.
109 From some of the Prophet's ﷺknowledge is all of the understanding of the Pen and
the Tablet. There is no doubt that Allah ﷻtaught the Prophet ﷺdirectly; disclosing
and gifting to him all-encompassing knowledge of the past, present, and future.
Imam al-Busiri � is actually indicated in this couplet that it is as if the Pen and Tablet
derive their knowledge from him ﷺ: “The Prophet ﷺprayed Fajr with us and then
climbed the pulpit; addressing us until Dhuhr, where he ﷺdescended and prayed.
Thereafter, he ﷺclimbed the pulpit and addressed us until Asr, whereupon he ﷺ
descended and prayed. After which, he ﷺclimbed the pulpit and addressed us
until the sun set. He ﷺinformed us about everything that was to happen until the
Day of Resurrection. The most knowledgeable amongst us is he who memorised [this
gathering] the most...” (Muslim).
Perhaps when
� � ِف
my Lord
�
apportions His
ح ٰ َ
Mercy,
ِت َْ أ
ت��� ي ْ� على َس ِب� الْ��عص�ْ ي� ِ�َان � ي� ال �ْ�قس ٖم
َ
It will manifest in measures equal to my transgressions.
ُ َ � َ َ ْ ً تٰ تَ ْ ُ ُ ْ أ
Be gentle with Your servant [O Allah ]ﷻ, both here and in the Hereafter;
ْ ن َ
ص ب�را مَّ�ى �دعه ال�هْوال ي�� ِه�َز ٖم
َ َْ أ
For my patience is weak when calamities fall.
ٍَ�ْك َد ٓا ِ ئ�مة َ َ ٰ ن
�ْ� صل ٍاة �� م �
و�ذن �� لس�ُح ِب
ْ 159
ص�َ��ًا ُ
ا� ا �ْل ب� ِ�َان ِ ير�ح ب ْ ت َ
ِ �ما ر�ح� عذ ب 160
� َ َ ََ أ
[And for] as long as the east wind111 stirs the branches of the willow,
ن � َ َ
َّ�غ�َم
ٖ �و�ط�ْر ب� الْ��ع ي��ْس ح ِاد ي� الْ��ع ي� ِ�ْس ِب�ا�ل
And cameleers spur on camels with their sweet melody112.
110 There is no minor sin when Allah's ﷻDivine Justice manifests, and there is no enor-
mity in a sin when Allah's ﷻGrace manifests.
111 The winds are a metaphor for continual and never-ending prayers, as the winds will
continue to blow until the end of time.
112 The poem begins and finishes with prayers (salawat/tasliya) upon the Prophet ﷺ,
which are necessary conditions for the acceptance of a prayer of petition: “The
supplication remains outside the Heavens until the praying person utters blessings
upon the Prophet ﷺ...” (Tirmidhi).
ان ِذ ي� ال�ْك َ�َر ٖمَ َّوع ْ�َن � ُع� َث�ْم �َِّوع ْ�َن َعل ٍي
َٰ ْ أ
ْْ� ثُ� َّم ا�ل� ِبتَّا���ع ْي� َن فَ�ه�ُم
Ali �, and Uthman �; the people of nobility.
� َ
وال� ِل وا�لصَّح ِب iv
َ َ ْ َ ٰأ َ ُ قٰ َ نّ ق
And upon the [Prophet's ]ﷺ family, his ﷺ Companions,
َ
�ه�ْل ا�ل�تُّ�ى وا�ل�َ�ى وال ِحل ِ�ْم وال�ْكر ٖم
And followers - the people of piety, purity, forbearance, and nobility.
ََ�ا َر ّ� � �الْ �ـمُص� �ْط فَٰ� َ� �لّ�غْ م�َ�ق�َاص َد ن�ا
ِ �ى ب ي ِب ِب v
َ َ َ َ ٰ ض �
وا ْ���فر �َلـ��َا ما مَ�ى ي�ا وا��سع ال�ْك�َر ٖم َ ن ْ
And forgive us for the wrongs we commit; O Master of Generosity!
Include
ْ ِْ أَ ٰ َ ف
in your forgiveness, my Lord, all Muslims,
َ �
�ْ� ِد ال��ق�ْصى و� ي� الحَـر ٖم يَ��ت�ْل ْ�ُو َن �فِ ي� ال َ�ْمس ِج
By that which is recited in Masjid al-Aqsa and the two sanctuaries.
ٌِب�ج � َ� ـ ـ ـ ِـاه م ْ�َن ۢ ب��َـ ي�ْ�� ٗت�ُه ْ�فِ� � َط ي�ْ� ب��َةٍ ح َرم
ي vii
�َ � ْ ُ ٗ � ٌ ْ أَ � ظ
Through him ﷺ, whose Medinan house is a haven,
َ �� ق
ـسـم �� من �عْ� َِم ْالـ�َـس ٖم َ َ�ِإو سمه �ق
And through his ﷺ name, which is an oath of the loftiest kind.
ْ َ ُ خ ْ ق �ُ ْ َ ُ � خ
ت
�ـم�� ِت�َار �د ���تم � ْ َْوه ِ�ٰذ ِه ب�ردة ال viii
Thus, this
َ خ
ode
َ ْ
has
َ
reached
ُ ْ
its
� ْ َ finale:
ْ ْ
وال َحـ ـ ــمد ِل ِّٰله ي�فِ� ب�د ٍء و ي�فِ� �� ٖت�َم
All praise
َْ َ ْ ئ
is for Allah ﷻ in
ْ
its
َ َق ْ أ
opening and
َأ
conclusion.
َ َ ْ �َ أَ � َ � خ ْ َ َ َ ْ ج
[O Allah ]ﷻ pardon its singers and forgive its readers;
َ
ـ� ي�ر ي�ا ذال� ُِود وال�ْكر ٖم َ� س� ْلـ�ت�ُك ْال
We ask You for [all] goodness; O Possessor of Munificence!