Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education

The Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education (NFIE) is a non-profit, tax exempt, religious and educational organization dedicated to serve Islam with a special focus on Tasawwuf(Sufism),

Thursday, May 27, 2021

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_

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