To God was his call, and those who hold fast to him hold fast to a rope that shall never break.
Baginda mengajak umat ke jalan Allah. Maka sesiapa yang berpegang teguh dengan ajarannya, bererti ia telah berpegang teguh dengan tali yang kuat yang tidak akan berputus.
Verily, God and His angels send prayers upon the Prophet. O ye who believe, send prayers and blessings upon him with full respect. [33:56]
The most famous poem of prayers and blessings on the Prophet throughout the Muslim World is the Qasidah Burdah by Imam Al-Busiri. It is recited in countless styles and rhythms and melodies. In Kuching, people gather to recite it once a month at the home of Habib Sayyid Mustafa al-Haddad. I’ve made several short video clips of our recitation, showing the different melodies and tempos that are used as we move through the chapters.
http://youtu.be/BUid5mx3Pj4
http://youtu.be/3naqijDFyS8
http://youtu.be/AjGuIyvcbSI
Listening is well and good, but reciting it yourself with intention to praise Nabi Muhammad, peace be upon him, is much better. Readers of Bahasa Malaysia are spoiled for choice of Qasidah Burdah publications. They are widely available and inexpensive. The one I have is an edition published by Khazanah Banjariah, apparently the publishing arm of the Maahad Tarbiah Islamiah of Derang, Kedah, translated by Abu Ali Al-Banjari Al-Nadwi. It has the complete Arabic text alone, and then the numbered Arabic text with numbered translation on the facing page. I can’t find it online but it has an ISBN: 983-2052-11-4.
Translations in English are harder to come by. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf put out a translation with a set of CDs of Moroccan recitation way back in 2002. Sadly it doesn’t appear to be available online anymore. The book I’m reading from in the videos is The Mantle Adorned, a stunning edition of the Qasidah Burdah produced by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad in 2009. The translation, the illumination, the calligraphy are so lovely, it is a joy and a treasure. The best part is how each couplet is presented with translation on each page. This makes it perfect for group recitation, as you do not have to flip back and forth between the Arabic and the translation as you recite at speed, and the chorus gives time to let the meanings of the verses sink in. Published by Quilliam Press, it is still available for purchase through Amazon.
