Artists: Qari Syed Sadaqat AliImam Sharafuddin Muhammad al-Busiri (d.1296 CE)Oriental Star Agency (OSA), Birmingham, UK.

When Imam Busiri was struck down with paralysis, and the physicians of the day were unable to help him , he turned to Allah`s Messenger for help and wrote this famous poem as a means of aid to the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.) The Prophet came to him in a dream and cured him and gave him a cloak. On waking up he was cured of his paralysis and found the cloak on him; tthe news of which spread far and wide. This poem became legendary even in the author`s lifetime and is now without doubt the most famous laudatory poem in the Muslim world in praise of The Beloved Prophet.

It is rendered in a beautiful version here by Qari Sadaqat Ali, Pakistan`s world-famous Qur`an reciter accompanied by a chorus of young girls and to the beat of the `daff`-an Arabian drum.

This poem is a masterpiece of Arabic literature and contains 10 sections and a total of a 160 verses. The chorus, 'Mawla Ya Salli wa sallim da`iman abada`//`Ala Habibika khayrin khalqi kullihimi' (O Lord send peace and blessings for eternity// Upon Your Beloved the Best of all Creation) is sung everywhere in the Muslim world where traditional Sunni (Sufi) Muslims are present from Morroco to Malaysia. It has been translated into every language of the Muslim world and also into many European languages.
Many translations exist--perhaps the latest one by the popular American convert, Imam Hamza Yusuf [2002]. The poem is a favourite with traditional Muslims everywhere and has the following 10 sections:

1.Love for Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alaihi wa Sallam
2.A warning against the desires of the nafs
3.Praise of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu `Alaihi wa Sallam
4.Events occuring on his birth
5.His miracles
6.Praise of the Glorious Qur`an
7.The 'Isra' and 'Mi`raj' of the noble Prophet Sallallahu `Alaihi wa Sallam
8.His battles
9.Repentence, asking forgiveness of Allah Sub`hanahu wa Ta`ala and seeking intercession of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu `Alaihi wa Sallam
10. Supplication to Allah Sub`hanahu wa Ta`ala

Each verse ends in the Arabic letter Meem and the poem is also known thus as a 'meemiya'.


Qari Sadaqat has a wonderfully powerful voice with amazing control and here he uses it to great effect bringing out the majesty and beauty of the rhyming Arabic poetry. Even though one may not understand all of the words, this is a great piece of art, and performed with sincere belief and love and has a great effect on the heart.

Here is a translation of part 3, verses 34-42:

PRAISING THE HOLY PROPHET
Blessings and Salutations
of Allah be upon him

Muhammad, leader of the two worlds
and of Man and the jinn,
Leader also of the Arabs and
non Arabs and their kin.
Our Prophet, Commander of right,
prohibits evil`s way,
Yet no one`s speech more gentle could be
than his nay or yea.
Beloved by Allah is he upon
whose pleading we depend
From terrors of the Day of Judgement,
which on us descend.
He summoned people unto Allah,
they to him did adhere,
And clung fast to the rope that none
could ever rent or tear.
In morals and features
he, all prophets did exceed,
None could approach his knowledge,
or his bounty e`er precede.
And thus from Allah`s Apostle
they acquired and did gain,
A handful of the vast sea
or a sip of gen`rous rain.
So other prophets in their rightful place
before him stand,
Regarding knowledge and the wisdom
that they understand.
He perfect is in traits concealed,
and features bright and clear,
And Man`s Creator chose him
as His most beloved and dear.
Too far above all men is he
to have a partner who
Has equal qualities, because
the essence of virtue
That in him lies is indivisible,
and wholly true

(from http://www.iqra.net/Qasseda/al-burda.htm)

**
Note: other versions of this poem can be found on the WWW (do a google search for 'qasida burdah') to listen to.