Tu Karimi Man Kamina: Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Peace, one and all…

 

Koi Bole Ram Ram Koi Khudhaae

Peace, one and all…

I wanted to share a beautiful qawwal, sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.  The lyrics comes from a hymn of Guru Nanak and is found in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scriptures.

Enjoy and may all that you do this day be blessed with goodness.

Never Giving Up The Flame

Peace, one and all…

Happy is the heart that blames none and
complains not.
Like the candle, it burns, melting to the last drop,
never giving up the flame.
(Abu Sa`id ibn Abi al-Khayr)

Monday Night Qawwali

Peace, one and all…

Press Me to Your Lips Again!

Peace, one and all…

My heart-self
dissolved
like cube sugar
in your chai.

Now Morad!
Press me
to your lips
again!

Roger Loff

A Virtual Mehfil-i Sema

Peace, one and all…

‘When I die and you wish to visit me,
do not come to my grave without a drum,
for at God’s banquet mourners have no place’
Mevlana, Divan-i Shams 683

Today is Seb-i Arus, the festival marking the return of Hazret-i Pir Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi to the Divine Beloved.  To mark this auspicious occasion, I wanted to offer a virtual Mehfil-i Sema, or sema gathering, in honour of Mevlana.  The spiritual music offered here includes many of my personal favourites.

The Mevlevi Rose Prayer

May this moment be blessed.  May goodness be opened and may evil be dispelled.  May our humble plea be accepted in the Court of Honour; May the Most Glorious God purify and fill our hearts with the Light of His Greatest Name.  May the hearts of the lovers be opened.  By the breath of our master Mevlana, by the secret of Shams and Weled, by the holy light of Muhammad, by the generosity of Imam Ali, and the intercession of Muhammad, the unlettered prophet, mercy to all the worlds.  May we say Hu, Huuu….

Quranic Recitation: Surah al-Fatihah & Surah al-Baqara 1-5

Turkish Section
Ney Solo

Mevlevi Nat-i Serif
(Poem in Honour of the Prophet, alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam)

Ayini Selam

Daglar ile Taslar ile

Ya Mevlana

Dinle Sozumu

Qawwali Section
Hamd
(Qawwal in praise of God)
Sabri Brothers, Allah Hoo

Naat
(Qawwal in praise of Muhammad, alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam)
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Sare Nabian Da Nabi

Manqabat Imam Ali
(Qawwal in honour of Imam Ali)

Mevlana Qawwal, sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Imam al-Shushtari: My Sweetest Moments

 Mevlana, Andak Andak

Little by little, the group of the lovedrunk arrive
Little by little, the worshipers of wine arrive
They are on their way; Comforting and gentle
Like flowers from the flowerfield they arrive
Little by little, from this world of Being and non-Being
The non-existent leave and the existent arrive
They come with hands and clothes full of gold
For the poor and hungry they arrive
The gaunt, exhausted from the trials of Love
Strong and healthy they arrive
Like the rays of the Sun , the lives of the Pure
From those heights to the lowly valley they arrive
Green and fresh the garden for the pure
With new fruits from the love drunk they arrive
Their essence is grace and grace they unfold and expand
From the garden towards the garden they arrive

Glory to the Great Musician

Peace, one and all…

Glory to the Musician whose melody
erases everything that burdens the heart.
The One whose breath blowing in the flute
releases us from all that burdens our mind.

For lifetimes the clever mind was building castles in the air.
A wave from the Ocean of Love rose
and all thoughts disappeared in its roar.

My heart was given a taste of love’s sorrow
and in its longing it has found release from all joys and sorrows.
My laments I’d bring You, my Beloved, and complain
but whenever I behold You, neither my complaints nor I remain.

Lend no ear to the hunchback who rules here,
for he is given to only one pleasure:
to rob you of your love, your true treasure.

Drink this wine and relish your ecstasy in solitude,
for it’s the only way out of this place of servitude.
Jami learned to worship this Wine at the Pir’s gate,
whoever apprentices with the Master learns his trait.
(Jami, Ghazal)

Why are there all these Shouts?

Peace, one and all…

‘Why is love for You such a wise one and a teacher?
[And] why is affection for You such a subtle foundation?
Why do I tremble [with fear] at love if it is not pleasant?
And if love is pleasant, why are there all these shouts [for help]?’
Mevlana, Quatrain 145

Man Atkeya Beparwah De Naal

Peace, one and all…

Here is a beautiful qawwal, sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.  Entitled ‘Man Atkeya Beparwah De Naal’, it was written by the famous Sufi poet of Indian,  Shah Hussein.  The lyrics and a translation are also offered.  I found them here.  Enjoy, and may all who pass be blessed with goodness.  The original Punjabi lyrics are given in italics.

Man Atkeya Beparwah De Nal
Us Deen Duni De Shah De Nal

My soul is entangled with the indifferent one
Lord of all things visible and invisible

Wasdi Hardam Mann Mere Vich, Soorat Yaar Pyare Di
Apne Shah Nu Ap Rajawan, Hajat Nai Pasaray Di
Kahe Husain Faqeer Numanha, Theewan Khaak Daware Di

The image of the precious beloved lives constantly within my soul
I can please my love alone, I need no display
Says Hussain the worthless faqir, I am the dust on your doorstep

Man Atkeya Beparwah De Nal
Us Deen Duni De Shah De Nal

My soul is entangled with the indifferent one
Lord of all things visible and invisible

Qazi Mullah Matti Dainde
Kharay Siyyane Rah Dasende
Ishq Kee Lagay Rah De Nal

Judges and clerics are full of advice,
The righteous and wise show you the path,
But love itself needs no guidance

Man Atkeya Beparwah De Nal

My soul is entangled with the indifferent one

Nadiyon Paar Ranjhan Da Thana
Keetay Qol Zaroori Jana
Mintaan Karran Mallah De Nal

Ranjha’s dwelling is across the stream,
Having given my word, I must go
I will beseech the boatman

Man Atkeya Beparwah De Nal
Us Deen Duni De Shah De Nal

My soul is entangled with the indifferent one
Lord of all things visible and invisible

Sajan Bin Raatan Hoian Waddiyan
Ranjha Jogi Mein Jogiani
Kamli Kar Kar Saddyan
Sajan Bin Raatan Hoian Waddiyan
Mein Han Ayani Nooh Kee Jana
Birhon Tanawan Gaddiyan

Without my beloved the nights are long,
Ranjha is a saint and I am his follower
He has driven me senseless

Kahe Husain Faqeer Sayein Da
Darr Te Cholian Addiyan Mein
Uss Deen Duni De Shah De Nal

I am a novice, what do I know of committed love?
The separation pulls at my sinews
Says Hussain, Gods faqir, I spread my robe before you
Lord of all things visible and invisible

Man Atkeya Beparwah De Nal

My soul is entangled with the indifferent one

Kahe Husain Faqeer Numanrha
Sache Sahib Nu Mein Jana
Aurhak Kam Allah De Nal

Says Hussain, the worthless faqir,
I know the true Lord
In the end I will meet my Creator

Man Atkeya Beparwah De Nal
Us Deen Duni De Shah De Nal

My soul is entangled with the indifferent one
Lord of all things visible and invisible

In the Fold of My Cloak…

Peace, one and all…

Meri Bukkal De Vich Chor Chor, or ‘In the Fold of My Cloak hides the Beloved Thief’, is a beautiful and profound poem by Baba Bulleh Shah, a major Sufi poet of the Punjab region of India.  It is, by all accounts, a much loved poem and is often set to music.  Here is a wonderful rendition by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.  I have added an English translation of the text below.

Enjoy and may all who pass by this day be blessed.

Meri Bukkal De Vich Chor Chor

‘In the fold of my cloak hides the beloved Thief
to whom shall I complain?

Stealthily he escaped,
and a tumult arose in the world.

The Muslims are averse to being cremated;
the Hindus are loath to be buried.
Both die quarrelling over this wrangle.
Such is the cause of enmity between them!

 Somewhere he is Ram Das, somewhere
Fateh Mohammed,
This indeed is the ancient uproar!
Their quarrel came to an end
When someone else made his appearance.

 Calls came from the resplendent heavens;
They were heard at throne of Lahore.
King Inayat has fixed the net
and, on the sly, pulls the cord.

 Whosoever searched for Him, found Him.
He did not have to suffer dejection.
The Master of Masters belonged to Baghdad;
My own Master adorned the throne of Lahore.

 O you all, join me to shout:
He himself the kite, He is himself the string;
I disclose His whereabouts, you go and catch
the Beloved Thief belonging to Bulleh Shah.

 In the fold of my cloak hides the beloved Thief
to whom shall I complain?’

I Pray Always for Your Welfare

Peace, one and all…

Nit Khair Mangan is one of my favourite qawwals.  It is a beautiful poetic meditation on transformative love.  Two versions are offered.  The first is a live version, performed in the UK during the 1980s I believe.  The second is a longer CD version.  Both are beautiful.  Enjoy and may we all be transformed by the power of love.

Version 1: Live Performance

Version 2

Nit Khair Mangan

I pray always for your welfare.

What more can I ask of God?

My only prayer is for your long life,

Because without my guardian, my true love

I am a worthless, ugly wretch.

I pray and pray that you might be blessed

And spared from every grief.

I pray for God to keep watch over you.

I pray and I pray for your welfare my love,

This is my only prayer.

Let me die at your feet,

This is my only prayer.

What more can I ask of God?

 Let me carry the burden of your grief,

And God keep you from harm.

When I was cut off from you, my love,

I felt abandoned by the whole world.

Now it fills me with joy,

Just praying for you.

When I found you I discovered the universe.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

A Song of Gratitude

Peace, one and all…

Here is a beautiful qawwal, sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, entitled Rabba Lakh Lakh Shukar Manawan.  Enjoy and may Allah bless us all with gratitude.

‘Whoever is not thankful for graces
runs the risk of losing them;
and whoever is thankful,
secures them with their own cords’
(Ibn Ata’illah, Kitab al-Hikam)

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

The Beautiful Names of God

Tags

God, Islam, Names of God, nusrat fateh ali khan, qawwali, Qur'an, Religion and Spirituality

Peace, one and all…

As is perhaps widely known, in the Islamic tradition God is said to possess 99 Names (or Attributes).  It has long been a practice to recite these names as a kind of litany.  Here is one such beautiful rendition, from Egypt.

And here is one of the most beautiful qawwals you will ever be blessed to hear (may God have mercy on you).

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Allah Hoo

And here is another beautiful song in praise of God.

Shaam: Il Habib Araftu

Follow these links for more on the Divine Names:

• The Quran on the Divine Names
• The Most Beautiful Names of God (includes further links to each Divine Name cited)
• Mevlana on the Divine Names

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

In Praise of the Prophet

Peace, one and all…

Here are two beautiful qawwals in praise of the Prophet (alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam), both sung by the wonderful Sabri Brothers.  Enjoy and may all that you do this day be blessed…

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Sunday Evening Qawwali

Peace, one and all…

Here are some beautiful qawwals that I wanted to share with the wider world.  Enjoy, and may Allah bless us all.

Black Night

Peace, one and all…

I want to share a very special qawwal with the wider world.  It is called ‘Black Night’ and was sung by Badar Miandad Khan.  May all who pass by be blessed.

Ma’as salama,

Abdur Rahman

Chaap Tilak

Peace, one and all…

Here is a beautiful qawwal, attributed to Amir Khusro, entitled ‘Chaap Tilak’.  This beautiful version is by Jafar Husayn Khan, one of my favourite qawwals.

Enjoy and may Allah bless all who pass by.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

More Spiritual Music

Peace, one and all…

My You Tube adventures continue!  Here are two new videos.  I hope you enjoy this spiritual music as much as I do.  Feel free to visit my You Tube channel.

May Allah bless you in all that you are and do…

Ya Mevlana

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Jhoole Lal Jhoole Lal

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman