Memory, Performance and Poetic Peace Making in Qawwali - Qamar ul Huda
"How will I ever be thankful for this blessing?
The blessing that was bestowed on me by the Prophet,
How will I ever be thankful for this blessing?
I prostrated in his eminent presence,
How will I ever be thankful for this blessing?
No one ever heard of me before, no one knew of my existence
Before my love for the Prophet, I was nothing at all
How will I ever be thankful for this blessing?
— from Is Karam ka Karon Shukar Kaise, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
This article analyzes Qawwali poetry and performances in Sufi religious
settings, and especially how the singing of Qawwali music praising the
Prophet Muhammad builds upon memory and peacemaking practices.
The first Qawwali performance is by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at the Data Ganj
Bakhsh’s “urs in Lahore; the second is a Milad an-Nabi celebration, the
birthday of the Prophet, performed by the Sabri Brothers in Multan; and, the
third venue is a private home in Karachi on Shab-e Mi”raj, the Night of the
Ascension, performed by Munshi Raziuddin. An analysis of particular Qawwali
genre praising Muhammad reveals the ways in which the music serves as a
poetic text to past memories of the individual and, more importantly, how the
present community remembers the Prophet. Qawwali music is a conduit for
the community of Sufi listeners to reconnect to the sacred time while at the
same time creating space for themselves in the past and in the present.
Qawwali songs dedicated to the Prophet Muhammad move beyond the written
biographical texts because the songs are sung by a party of singers praising his
life, achievements, supreme standing as a messenger, pietistic legacy, his
graceful relationship with God and his followers, and his incomparable model
for being God-conscious. The songs reflect a yearning to meet him, or, more accurately, to prepare for his presence to appear to the mahfil sama” or the
sacred arena of musical devotion. There are numerous themes in these songs
praising the Prophet; one overarching theme is the Prophet’s dedication to
teaching others to find peace, to living peacefully with oneself and with others,
and to end human suffering."
"The following Qawwali naat was sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at the
“Urs of Data Ganj Baksh. YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/uNyxAeA_wxM
Oh Last Prophet
Oh last Prophet from Mecca and Medini33
There is none like you
There is none like you
There is no throne in the world like yours, you are the one
You are the bright light of this group
Oh last Prophet
There is none like you34
In a time of giving forgiveness to all
There is no comparison to the level of your forgiveness35
Oh Prophet of God, your sacrifices are remembered and there are like
none36
There is no one who is like you
Oh last Prophet
There is none like you
In this world and in the next world your blessings are requested
In both worlds you are the designated Friend of God and King37
Sayyid Mecca and Medini38
Oh last Prophet, Oh Beloved of God
There is none like you
There is none like you
Your face reflects the holy Qur’an, the holy Qur’an is from your
generosity
Oh Sayyid of the world, you are the singer of all compassion
There is none like you
No other Prophet was ever born with your beauty
Greetings to you Sayyid Mecca, Medini from Arabia
All Folks take your name in grace
And no one in your community is without you Prophet39
There is none like you
Oh Beloved of God, there is none like you
There is none like you
You are the embodied light and only you are the beloved of God
God created you with eminent and all divine qualities, yours is none to others
From the earliest Prophet Adam to Jesus, oh Prophet there is none like you40
If my eyes were given but one generous encounter
On the day of resurrection it will be our blessings to have such an
encounter
If my eyes were given but one generous encounter
If these eyes were showered with your blessings then my entire being
would contain your visions;
Oh Quraishi, Laqbhi, Hashimi and Mutalbi41
If my eyes were given but one generous encounter
There is none like you
There is none like you
If my eyes were given but one generous encounter
Oh healer on the day of Resurrection42,
you are the only granter of marvelous love
There is none like you Prophet
Oh Sir, this is your remarkable glory!
This is your exceptional glory oh Prophet that you reached the steps of
heavens,
This remarkable glory was seen in your heavenly ascension43
There is none like you oh Prophet, Mecca and Medini
There is none like you!
Full Paper PDF:
https://www.academia.edu/19490639/Memory_Performance_and_Poetic_Peacemaking_in_Qawwa_li_