THE THEMES IN RELIGIOUS POETRY IN THE TIME OF OUR BELOVED PROPHET MUHAMMAD
by Siddiq Osman Noormuhammad
The Historical Evidence
All praise is for Allah, the Glorified and the Exalted, and may He shower His choicest peace and blessings in perpetuity on His most beloved of all creations, Sayyidina wa Nabiyyina wa Habibina wa Mawlana Muhammad ibn 'Abdillah, Nurin min Nurillah, Sallallahu 'alayhi wa 'alaa aalihi wa sahbihi wa Sallim.
When we study the Ahaadith Shareef (noble sayings) of our beloved Prophet Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad Mustafa, Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam and his seerah (blessed biography) to research the subject of religious poetry, we are blessed with obtaining the following historical facts:
1. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said that there is wisdom in poetry.
2. He was greeted with madeeh (eulogy) when he entered Madina.
3. He recited some verses as he carried stones together with his sahaba (blessed companions), Rady Allahu 'Anhum to build Masjid an-Nabawi in Madina.
4. He encouraged the recitation of the Holy Qur'an al-Karim, the inimitable, incomparable and uncreated Word of Allah, in a melodious voice.
5. He encouraged wedding songs and allowed songs with musical instruments on the day of 'Eid.
6. He had a pulpit erected in the mosque for Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu 'Anhu to stand upon and reply to the enemies of Islam in poetry.
7. He recited some verses at Ghazwa-i-Khandaq (the battle of the Trench) while digging the trench together with his sahaba, Rady Allahu 'Anhum.
8. He supplicated for Hadrat 'Amir bin al-Akwa' Rady Allahu 'Anhu who recited a qasida (religious poem) while they were marching to Khaybar to fight the Jews.
9. He appointed Sayyidina 'Ali Rady Allahu 'Anhu to lead in the battle of Khaybar and Sayyidina 'Ali Rady Allahu 'Anhu replied to his opponent in verse.
10. He gave his personal mantle (burda) toHadrat Ka'b ibn Zuhair Rady Allahu 'Anhu after he had versified on him and on the Muhajireen (the Emigrants from Makkah) and expressed the wish that he would versify on the Ansar (the Helpers in Madina) too.
11. He praised Labid, the pre-Islamic poet, for praising Allah in his poetry.
12. He requested 'Amr bin Sharid's father to recite the poetry of Umayya bin Abu as-Salt. 'Amr bin Sharid's father obliged by reciting a couplet whereupon the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam continued to request him to recite more and more until he had recited 100 couplets!
To study each of these universally historic events in a little more detail, the main sources referenced are:
(a) kutub (books) of Hadith, especially:
Sahih al-Bukhari(translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan),
Sahih al-Muslim (translated by Abdul Hamid Siddiqi),
Mishkat u'l Masabih (Niche For Lamps) of Imam al-Baghawi (translated by Al-Hajj Mawlana Fazlul Karim);
(b) classics of Muslim spirituality, such as:
Ihya 'Ulum al-Deen (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) by Hujjatul Islam Imam Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali (translated by Al-Hajj Mawlana Fazlul Karim),
It'haaf-is-Saail (Gifts For The Seeker) by Qutb u'l Irshad Sayyidunal Imam al-Habib Abdallah bin 'Alawi al-Haddad (translated by Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi), and
Miftah u'l Jannah (Key To The Garden) by Sayyidunal Imam al-Habib Ahmad Mash'hur bin Taha al-Haddad (translated by Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi); and
(c) books of history such as the biography of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam by Martin Lings.
[Rady Allahu 'Anhu / Naf'anAllahu Bih / Rahmatullahi 'alayh is recited after the name of the sahaba (companions) and the mashaayikh (spiritual masters) as appropriate].
The word qasida means a poem, the plural is qasaaid. This paper deals only with religious poetry, the non-Muslims obviously wrote on various other matters as well.
When we study the Hadith Shareef, we find that the qasaaid (religious poems) recited in the time of the noble Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam contain:
hamd or praise of Allah, the Glorified and the Exalted; madeeh or praise of our beloved Prophet Sayyidina Muhammad Mustafa, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him; praise of his companions, may Allah be pleased with them; du'a (supplication to Allah); nasiha (sound advice); and the teachings of the religion of Islam in general.
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh
O Lord! Bestow blessings and peace for and ever more On Your Beloved, the best in all creation.
O Allah! Bestow blessings and peace on him.
There is Wisdom in Poetry
The noble Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam is reported to have said that there is wisdom in poetry, according to a Hadith agreed upon by both Imam Bukhari (194-256 A.H) and Imam Muslim (206-261 A.H). Such a Hadith is said to be Muttafaqun 'alayh (agreed upon). It is reported in Miskhkat u'l Masabih, Book 2, Chapter 12, p. 187. (The numbering of the Hadith, chapter and so on will be as in the translation).
'Ubai bin Ka'breported that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam)said: "There is wisdom in poetry". (Agreed)
Imam al-Ghazali (450-505 A.H/1058-1111 C.E) has also reported this in his Ihya': "When poems were recited before the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam),he used to say: There is surely wisdom in poetry". (Vol. 2, p. 207)
For this reason, many kutub (books) of Muslim poetry print this Hadith of the blessed Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam on the very first page:
Inna min-ash-shi'ri lahikmatun Surely, there is wisdom in poetry
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh A Qasida Greets The Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam
As reported by Imam u'l Bayhaqi in Dalaail u'n Nubuwwa (Proofs of Prophethood), when our blessed Prophet Sayyidina Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam entered Madina, he was greeted with the following memorable eulogy which since then has been engraved in the hearts and minds of Muslims and is recited with love and devotion all over the world, especially in majalis (spiritual gatherings) of mawlid to celebrate his birth.
Tala'al Badru 'alaynaa Min Thaniyyaati'l Wadaa'i Wajaba-sh-shukru 'alaynaa Maa da'a Lillahi Daa'i The full moon rises on us From Thaniyyatil Wadaa' And it is compulsory on us to express thanks Whenever called upon by a summoner for the sake of Allah
Imam al-Ghazali has reported it in the Ihya' 'Ulum al-Deen (The Revival of the Religious Sciences, Vol. 2, Book 8, p. 302), and Imam Yusuf ibn Ismail an-Nabahaani has expounded on it in Anwaaru'l Muhammadiyyah (The Muhammadan Lights, p. 60).
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh While Building Masjid an-Nabawi
Al-Habib Ahmad Mash'hur bin Taha al-Haddad (1325-1416 A.H) narrates in Miftah u'l Jannah (Key To The Garden, p. 121) that the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam himself carried stones together with his companions to build the mosque in Madina, and as he did that, he recited:
Haadha'l himaal laa himaalu Khaybar Haadha'l abarr Rabbunaa wa at'har This is the loading not that of Khaybar this is more faithful, Lord, and purer
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh Melodious Recitation of Qur'an Encouraged
The Glorious Qur'an Karim is the eternal uncreated Word of Allah. It is mu'jiz (inimitable), meaning it cannot be imitated. It is to be recited in a melodious voice according to the following Ahaadith (sayings) of Rasul Allah Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam.
Abu Hurairahr eported that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: Allah does not listen attentively to anything more than what he listens to the Prophet chanting the Qur'an with a melodious and loud voice. (Bukhari and Muslim) . . . (From Mishkat u'l Masabih, Book 3, Chapter 36, p. 696) Bara' bin 'Aazib reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: Adorn the Qur'an with your voice. (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud, and Darimi). . . .(From Mishkat u'l Masabih, Book 3, Chapter 37, p. 69). Chapter (31): To recite the Qur'an in a charming voice.
Narrated Abu Musathat the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said to him: "O Abu Musa! You have been given one of the musical instruments of the family of David". [1] (Sayyidina Dawud 'alayhis salam) (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 6, p. 514)(Wherever footnotes appear in the translation, they have been quoted for completeness). Sayyidi wa Murshidi al-Habib Ahmad Mash-hur bin Taha al-Haddad has expounded on this in his own pure and precise style:
"Means are to be judged according to their purposes. When a proper melodiousness is used, the recitation of the Qur'an becomes a delight, and we have been ordered to recite it thus. The Prophet (upon whom be blessings and peace) said, "Embellish the Qur'an with your voices!" meaning that one should recite it melodiously. And he once said, after listening to the recitation of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, "He has been given one of the flutes of the House of David". When this was reported to Abu Musa, he said, "O Messenger of God! Had I known that you were listening, I would really have embellished it!" (p. 120)
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh Songs Encouraged at Weddings and Allowed on 'Eid Days
The following two narrations from Mishkat u'l Masabih, Book 2, Chapter 27, p. 654 show that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam encouraged songs at wedding ceremonies.
Mother of faithful believers, 'A'ishareported: I had a girl of the Ansar who I gave away in marriage. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: O 'A'isha! Why did you not sing, because this tribe of the Ansar loves songs. (Ibn Hibban) Ibn 'Abbas reported that (Sayyidatina) 'Aisha gave away a female relation of her from the Ansar in marriage. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) came and said, "Have you escorted the girl to her husband?" "Yes", was the reply. He asked, "Have you sent with her those who can sing?" "No", she replied. Then the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: "Verily, the Ansar are a people among whom there are songs. (It would have been better) if you had sent with her those who could have sung:
To you we have come, to you we have come! So to us welcome and to you welcome!" (Ibn Majah) We also learn that the beloved Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) allowed two small Ansari girls to sing with musical instruments on the day of 'Eid as narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadith number 72, p. 38. This Hadith has been received from Sayyidatina 'A'isha Rady Allahu 'Anha who said Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Rady Allahu 'Anhu was also present at that time.
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Replies in Poetry
As reported in Mishkat u'l Masabih (Book 2, Chapter 12, p. 187), the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam used to ask Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu 'Anhu to answer his enemies on his behalf. Indeed, he had a pulpit erected within the mosque for him to stand upon and recite poetry deprecating the unbelievers and praising the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. Bara'reported that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said to Hassaan bin Thabitat the battle of Quraizah: "Satirize the polytheists for Gabriel is with you". Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) was saying to Hassaan: "Respond on my behalf. O Allah! Help him with the Holy Spirit". (Bukhari and Muslim) (Sayyidatina) 'Aisha reported that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) kept a pulpit within the mosque for Hassaan that he might take his stand thereon to praise Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) or to meet opposition. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) used to say: "Allah helps Hassaan with the Holy Spirit as long as he meets opposition or contends on behalf of Allah's Messenger". (Bukhari)
A similar Hadith has been narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, p. 264, Chapter (68) titled "(What is said about) to recite poetry in the mosque."
Sayyidi wa Murshidi al-Habib Ahmad Mash'hur bin Taha al-Haddad talks about this in his classical masterpiece Miftah u'l Jannah (Key To The Garden) and sums it up as follows:
"This was done through poetry, and in the mosque, so see what rank a poet may reach who rises to defend religion and make known the good qualities of the Master of the Messengers - his degree is not less than that of a preacher who summons and guides, for they both stand on the pulpit of summoning to God, defending religion and subduing its enemies". (p. 120) In fact, the whole of Chapter 1026 in Sahih al-Muslim is about "The Merits Of Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu 'Anhu". And in the following (part of a longer) Hadith from that chapter (Vol. 4, Book 29, p. 1328), we get a glimpse of how Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu 'Anhu actually replied.
(6081) (Sayyidatina) 'Aisha said: I heard Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) as saying to Hassaan: "Verily Ruh ul Quds would continue to help you as long as you put up a defence on behalf of Allahand His Messenger". And she said: I heard Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) as saying: "Hassaan satirized against them and gave satisfaction to the Muslims and disquieted the non-Muslims". You satirized Muhammad, but I replied on his behalf, And there is reward with Allah for this. You satirized Muhammad, virtuous, righteous, The Apostle of Allah, whose nature is truthfulness. So verily, my father and his father and my honour Are a protection to the honour of Muhammad; May I lose my dear daughter, if you don't see her Wiping the dust from the two sides of Kada, (2792)
They pull at the reins, (2793) going upwards; On their shoulders are spears thirsting (for the blood of the enemy); Our steeds are sweating - Our women wipe them with their mantles.
If you had not interfered with us, We would have performed the 'Umra. And (then) there was the Victory; and the darkness cleared away; Otherwise wait for the fighting on the day in which Allah will honour whom He pleases.
And Allah said: I have sent a servant who says The Truth in which there is no ambiguity; And Allah said: I have prepared an army - They are the Ansar whose object is fighting (the enemy).
There reaches everyday from Ma'add abuse, Or fighting, or satire; Whoever satirizes the Apostle from amongst you, Or praises and helps, it is all the same, (2794)
And Gabriel, the Angel of Allah is among us,
And the Holy Spirit who has no match".(Muslim)
The transliteration of these verses is:
Hajawta Muhammad-an fa-ajabtu 'anhu Wa 'ind Allah-i fee dhaaka'l jazaau Hajawta Muhammad-an barran taqiyyan Rasul Allah-i sheematuhu'l wafaau Fa-inna abee wa waalidahu wa 'irdee Li 'irdi Muhammad-in minkum wiqaau Thakiltu bunayyatee in lam tarawhaa Tutheeru'n naq'a min kanafay kadaau
Yubaareena'l a'innata mus'idaatin 'Alaa aktaafiha'l asalu'z zimaau Tazallu jiyaadunaa mutamattiraatin Tulattimuhunna bi'l khumuri'n nisaau
Fa-in a'radtumu 'annaa i'tamarnaa Wa kaana'l Fat'hu wa'nkashafa'l ghitaau Wa illaa fasbiru lidiraabi yawmin Yu'izzullahu feehi man yashaau
Wa QaalAllah-u qad arsaltu 'abdan Yaqul u'l Haqqa laysa bihi khafaau Wa QaalAllah-u qad yassartu jundan Hum u'l Ansaru 'urdatuha'lliqaau
Lanaa fee kulli yawmin Ma'add-in Sibaabun aw qitaalun au hijaau Fa-man yahju Rasul Allah-i minkum Wa yamdahuhu wa yansuruhu sawaau
Wa Jibril-un Rasul Allah-i feenaa Wa Ruh u'l Qudus-i laysa lahu kifaau
We notice that the qasida (religious poem) in this Hadith is a Hamziyya all of whose verses rhyme in the letter "Hamza". Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu 'Anhu composed it on the occasion of Fat'h Makkah (victorious peaceful entry into Makkah) in 8 A.H. when our beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam magnanimously forgave all his enemies in Makkah who had for years persecuted him and driven him out.
Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu 'Anhu composed so many poems that they have been compiled in book form by numerous Muslim scholars who have then written a sharh (appreciative explanation) on it. Such a book of collected poems is called a Diwan. One such Diwan has been compiled by 'Abd al-Rahman al-Barquqi together with his sharh (explanation). This Diwan has 238 poems arranged in alphabetical order, beginning with those that rhyme in the letter "Hamza" and ending with those that rhyme in the letter "Yaa".
Out of all these qasaaid, the verses that are universally popular are those in praise of our beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam.
Wa ahsanu minka lam tara qattu 'ayniy Wa ajmalu minka lam talidinnisaau Khuliqta mubarra-an min kulli 'aybin Ka-annaka qad khuliqta kamaa tashaau
(Sharh Diwan Hassaan bin Thabit, p. 66)
I have never seen anyone better than you Nor did any woman give birth to anyone more beautiful than you
You were created free from all faults As if you were created just as you desired
It is reported in the same Diwan (p. 299-308) that in 9 A.H. a deputation of Arabs from Banu Tamim came to the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam to challenge him to oratory and poetry. Their orator was 'Utarid bin Hajib. After he had his say, the Beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam asked Hadrat Thaabit bin Qays bin Shammas Rady Allahu 'Anhu to reply to him.
Then the poet of Banu Tamim, al-Zibriqan bin Badr sang in praise of his tribe. Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu 'Anhu was absent at the time and the Noble Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam sent a messenger to tell him to come and answer the Banu Tamim's poet. Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit came and answered him with an 'ainiyyah consisting of 22 verses all rhyming in the letter 'ain. He praised the sahaba (companions), their nobility, charity, generosity, chastity, purity, valour in battle, and faithfulness, and emphasized that all these beautiful attributes were derived from keeping company with the beloved of Allah, Muhammad u'r Rasulullah, Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. At the end of it all, the deputation of Banu Tamim accepted Islam and Rasul Allah Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam gave them many valuable gifts.
When we recite the Diwan, we find that the themes in the religious poems of Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit Rady Allahu 'Anhu are about:
praise and love of Allah, Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala, Wahdahu laa sharika Lahu. Such praise, whether in verse or prose is called hamd; praise and love of our noble Prophet Sayyidina Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. Such religious poetry is referred to as mad'h or madeeh in Arabic (naat or maddah in Urdu); praise and love of his companions, Rady Allahu 'Anhum, and elegies on them when they attained martyrdom, for example, elegies on Sayyidina Hamza Rady Allahu 'Anhu and Sayyidina 'Uthman Rady Allahu 'Anhu; and the teachings of Islam in general.
Another remarkable fact that strikes us as we recite the Diwan is the unshakeable iman (faith) and yaqeen (deep conviction and certainty) that the sahaba (companions) had in Allah Ta'ala and in His Beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. The poems urge the non-believers to accept Islam, assert with certainty that Allah was helping the Muslims as borne out by the Qur'anic verses, that Allah had blessed them with the presence of the noble Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam who had brought them the true religion of Islam, that Hadrat Jibril 'Alayhissalam was with them, that they had been persecuted and driven from their homes but that they were prepared to lay down their lives for Allah and his beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, and there was no way any soldier could stand against their bravery and valour, so there was no use even trying. This was done to achieve a psychological victory even before the battle started. And after the jihad (battle), the martyrs were mourned with the conviction that they had attained Paradise.
It was indeed one of the greatest miracles of our beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam that he changed people's hearts. He started alone, was persecuted as no one has ever been persecuted before or after, but won over people to the True Faith to such an extent that those who were his bitterest enemies became his greatest friends, adopted his faith and his life-style and were prepared to lay down their lives at his command.
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh
At Ghazwa-i-Khandaq
The Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam recited some verses together with his companions while digging the trench (khandaq) around Madina to ward off the attack of the Quraysh of Makkah in 5 A.H. We learn of this from a Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol 4, p. 169.
Chapter (161). The recitation of poetic verses in war and raising the voice while digging the trench.
(272) Narrated Al-Bara': I saw Allah's Apostle (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam)on the day (of the battle) of the Trench carrying earth till the hair of his chest were covered with dust and he was a hairy man. He was reciting the following verses of 'Abdullah (bin Rawaha): "O Allah, were it not for you, We would not have been guided, Nor would we have given charity, nor prayed. So bestow on us calmness, and when we meet the enemy, Then make our feet firm, for indeed, The enemy has revolted against us; Yet if they want to afflict us We oppose their affliction". The Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam)used to raise his voice while reciting these verses. (Bukhari)
The wording of this qasida (in transliteration) is:
Allahumma lawlaa Anta mahtadaynaa Wa laa tasaddaqnaa walaa sallaynaa Fa anzilan sakeenatan 'alaynaa Wa thabbitil aqdaama in laaqaynaa Innal a'daa'a qad baghaw 'alaynaa Idhaa araadu fitnatan abaynaa Lo behold! We find that Imam Yusuf ibn Ismail an-Nabahaani has used the same (first four and sixth) verses in his Waseelatu-sh-Shaafiy (The Means To Healing). After all, could he do any better than borrow from the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam and his blessed companions?
A similar Hadith has been reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol 4, Chapter 34, p. 65.
CHAPTER (34) The digging of the Trench (88) Narrated Anas: The Emigrants and the Ansar started digging the trench around Madina, carrying the earth on their backs and saying,
Nahnu'lladheena baaya'u Muhammad-aa 'Ala'l Jihadi maa baqeena abadaa We are those who have given a pledge of allegiance to Muhammad That we will carry on Jihad as long as we live. The Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam)kept on replying
Allahumma innahu laa khayra illa khayru'l Aakhirah Wa Baarik fi'l Ansari wa'l Muhajirah O Allah, there is no good except the good of the Here-after So confer your blessings on the Ansar and the Emigrants. (Bukhari)
When we study the verse quoted in this Hadith, we find that the first hemistitch (half verse) contains nasiha (advice) while the second is munaajaat (supplication). Hence, two themes, of advice and supplication are woven into just one verse.
This incident is also reported in Hadith numbers 4442, 4444 and 4448 in Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 3, Chapter 746.
Martin Lings, in his biography of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) summarises, in part, what happened at the Battle of the Trench.
"One of them, Bara' of the Harithah clan of Aws, would tell in after years of the great beauty of the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) as he remembered him at the trench, girt with a red cloak, his breast sprinkled with dust and his black hair long enough to touch his shoulders. "More beautiful than him I have not seen", he would say." The first cry for help came from Jabirwho had dug down to a rock which none of their implements could loosen. The Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) called for some water and spat into it, then having prayed, he sprinkled the water over the rock and they were able to shovel it out like a heap of sand. Another day, it was the Emigrants who needed help. After many attempts to split or dislodge a rock he had struck, (Sayyidina) 'Umar went to the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) who took the pickaxe from him and gave the rock a blow at which a flare as of lightening flashed back over the city and towards the south. He gave it another blow and again there was a flash but in the direction of 'Uhud and beyond it towards the north. A third blow split the rock into fragments and this time the light flashed eastwards. Salman saw the three flashes and knew they must have some significance, so he asked for an interpretation from the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam)who said, "Didst thou see them Salman? By the light of the first, I saw the castles of Yemen; by the light of the second I saw the castles of Syria; by the light of the third, I saw the white palace of Kisra (Chosroes, King of Persia) at Mada'in. Through the first hath God opened unto me the Yemen, through the second hath He opened unto me Syria and the West; and through the third, the East" (p. 217-218) As we are all aware, within a short time, these prophecies of our beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam were fulfilled as Islam spread to these countries and beyond in all four directions. This narration shows, like all such narrations, the miraculous powers of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam and how all his prayers were answered instantly.
The Hadith Sharif by Hadrat al-Bara' Rady Allahu 'Anhu on the handsomeness of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam that Martin Lings refers to are to be found in Sahih al-Bukhari as well (Vol 4, Hadith numbers 749 and 752, p. 488).
Narrated Al-Bara': The Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) was the handsomest of all people, and had the best appearance. He was neither very tall nor short. (Bukhari) Narrated Abu Is'haq: Al-Bara' was asked: "Was the face of the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) (as bright) as a sword?" He said, "No, but (as bright) as the moon". (Bukhari)
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh While Marching to Khaybar
While marching to Khaybar which is about 200 miles north of Madina, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam prayed for Hadrat 'Amir bin al-Akwa' Rady Allahu 'Anhu who recited a qasida. This is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 5, p. 357-359, in a very long Hadith, the beginning of which reads:
(509) Narrated Salama bin Al-Akwa': We went out to Khaybar in the company of the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam). While we were proceeding at night, a man from the group said to 'Amir, "O 'Amir! Won't you let us hear your poetry? 'Amir was a poet, so he got down and started reciting for the people poetry that kept pace with the camel's footsteps, saying: "O Allah! Without you We would not have been guided on the right path; Neither would we have given in charity, Nor would we have prayed. So please forgive us, What we have committed (i.e. our defects) Let all of us be sacrificed for Your Cause And send Sakina (i.e. calmness) Upon us to make our feet firm When we meet our enemy, and If they call us towards An unjust thing, we will refuse. The infidels have made a hue and cry To ask others' help against us".
The Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) on that asked, "Who is that (camel) driver (reciting poetry)?" The people said, "He is 'Amir bin Al-Akwa'". Then the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: May Allahbestow His Mercy on him". A man among the people said, " O Allah's Prophet! (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam). Has (martyrdom) been granted to him? [2] Would that you let us enjoy his company longer". (Bukhari) The transliteration of Hadrat 'Amir bin Al-Akwa's qasida as given in Sahih al-Bukhari is as follows:
Allahumma lawalaa Anta mahtadaynaa Walaa tasaddaqnaa walaa sallaynaa Faghfir fidaa-an Laka mattaqaynaa Wa alqiyan sakeenatan 'alaynaa Wa thabbitil aqdaama in laaqaynaa Inna idhaa seeha bina abaynaa Wa bis-siyaahi 'awwalu 'alaynaa This Hadith is also reported in Sahih al-Muslim, Volume 3, Chapter 745.
A Hadith in the same chapter of Sahih al-Muslim informs us that the person who said martyrdom is reserved for Hadrat 'Amir bin al-Akwa' Rady Allahu 'Anhu was Sayyidina 'Umar ibn al-Kattab Rady Allahu 'Anhu. This shows us the unshakeable iman (faith) that Sayyidina 'Umar Rady Allahu 'Anhu and indeed all the sahaba (companions) had in the words of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. No sooner had the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said, "May Allah bestow His Mercy on him", Sayyidina 'Umar Rady Allahu 'Anhu concluded he would be martyred. And indeed, Hadrat 'Amir bin al-Akwa' Rady Allahu 'Anhu was martyred at Khaybar as we learn from another Hadith in Sahih al-Muslim.
It is worth noting that this was not the only time that poetry was recited to the Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam while on a journey. Sayyidunal Imam al-Habib Ahmad Mash-hur bin Taha al-Haddad narrates in Miftah u'l Jannah (Key To The Garden) that it was common practice for the sahaba to recite poetry while on a journey:
"Al-Tirmidhi has reported - and declared the report sound - that Jabir ibn Samura said that the Prophet (may God bless him and his Family and grant them peace), had poetry chanted to him when he travelled, and that Anjasha the Abyssinian chanted for the women, and al-Bara' ibn Malik for the men, and that the Messenger of God (may God bless him and his Family and grant them peace) said to Anjasha, "Be gentle when driving the riding beasts of the delicate vessels (the women)!" (p. 119) Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh Sayyidina 'Ali Rady Allahu 'Anhu Replies To Marhab
The valour of Sayyidina 'Ali Rady Allahu 'Anhu in the battle of Khaybar (7 A.H) against the Jews as in all battles he fought is legendary. It is captured in a Hadith in Sahihal-Muslim, Vol 3, Chapter 747, part of which is quoted here.
(4450) It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Salama. He heard the tradition from his father (Salama bin al-Akwa') who said: ….. Then he (The Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) sent me to (Sayyidina) 'Ali who had sore eyes, and said: I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah (Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala) and His Messenger, or whom Allah (Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala) and His Messenger love. So I went to (Sayyidina) 'Ali, brought him beading along and he had sore eyes, and I took him to the Messenger of Allah, who applied saliva to his eyes and he got well. The Messenger of Allah gave him the banner (and Sayyidina 'Ali went to meet Marhab in a single combat). The latter advanced chanting:
Khaibar knows certainly that I am Marhab A fully armed and well-tried valorous warrior (hero) When war comes spreading its flames. (Sayyidina) 'Ali chanted in reply:
I am the one whose mother named him Haidar, (And am) like the lion of the forest with a terror-striking countenance. I give my opponents the measure of sandra in exchange for sa'
(i.e return their attack with one that is much more fierce).
The narrator said: (Sayyidina) 'Ali struck at the head of Marhab and killed him, so the victory (capture of Khaibar) was due to him. This long tradition has also been handed down through a different chain of transmitters. (Muslim) From this Hadith, we learn that:
the noble Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam was prepared to lay on line the life of his own cousin and son in-law, Sayyidina 'Ali, who was married to Sayyidatina Fatima, and who was the father of Sayyidina Imam Hasan and Sayyidina Imam Husayn, may Allah be pleased with them all; he knew that Sayyidina 'Ali Rady Allahu 'Anhu was most suited to lead battle at that time even though he had sore eyes; Sayyidina 'Ali Rady Allahu 'Anhu was the Lion of Allah who was prepared to lay down his life for Allah in man to man combat; and the saliva of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam had healing powers.
The transliteration of the verses of Sayyidina 'Ali Rady Allahu 'Anhu from the Hadith in Sahih al-Muslim is as follows:
Analladhee sammatnee ummi Haydarah Kalaythi ghaabaatin kareehil manzarah Ufeehimu bissaa'e kayla's-sandarah Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh
The Burda of Hadrat Ka'b bin Zuhair Rady Allahu 'Anhu
The three most famous versifiers among the sahaba (companions) were Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit, Hadrat Ka'b bin Malik and Hadrat 'Abdallah ibn Rawaha Rady Allahu 'Anhum. After Hadrat 'Abdullah ibn Rawaha Rady Allahu 'Anhu was martyred at Mu'ta, another poet, Ka'b bin Zuhair who previously used to satirize against the Muslims, now accepted Islam and recited an ode which he had especially composed for the occasion. It is know as Baanat Su'aad and has been included in the kitab (book) titled Baaqatun 'Atirah (The Perfumed Bouquet, p. 199-201) by Imam As-Sayyid Muhammad bin 'Alawi al-Maliki. It is his longest qasida with 58 verses all of which rhyme in the letter "laam", hence it is a "laamiyyah". Four of these verses have become so popular that they are quoted by many scholars in their books. Their transliteration and translation is:
Inna'r Rasula lasaifun yustadaau bihi Muhannadun min Suyufillahi maslulu Fee fityatin min Quraysh-in qaala qaailuhum Bibatni Makkata lamma aslamu zulu Zaalu fama zaala ankaasun walaa kushufun 'Indalliqaai walaa meelu ma'aazeelu Shummul 'araaneeni abtaalun labusuhum Min nasji Dawud-a fi'l hayjaa saraabeelu The Messenger a light is, source of light, An Indian blade, a drawn sword of God's swords, Amid Quraysh companions. When they chose Islam in Mecca's vale, men said, "Be gone!" They went, not weaklings, not as men that flee, Swaying upon their mounts and poorly armed, But heroes proud and noble of mien, bright clad In mail of David's weave for the encounter.
(Translation by Martin Lings, p. 314).
When Hadrat Ka'b had finished reciting the poem, our beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam drew off his burda (cloak) and put it over his shoulders in appreciation, and it became the most valuable piece of clothing ever since, informs Imam Shihabuddin as-Suhrawardi (passed away 632 A.H/1235 C.E) in his spiritual classic 'Awaarif u'l Ma'aarif (The Illuminative Knowledge of the Spiritual Masters, p. 158).
For this reason, the Baanat Su'aad is called the original "Burda", distinct from the famous Burda tu'l Madeeh of Imam Sharafuddin Muhammad al-Busiri (608-695 A.H/1212-1296 C.E), who also received a Burda from the noble Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam in a dream after he had composed a qasida in his praise.
After listening to the Baanat Su'aad in which the Muhajireen (Emigrants) had been praised by Hadrat Ka'b, the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam agreed with the Ansar (Helpers) that it was only fair that he should versify on them too. Hadrat Ka'b obliged by composing a "raaiyyah" in praise of the Ansar with 33 verses all rhyming in the letter "raa" whose opening verse is:
Man sarrahu karamu'l hayaati falaa yazal Fee miqnabin min saalihi'l Ansari Whoever loves a life of generosity, doesn't leave The horsemen of the virtuous from the Ansar
Hadrat Ka'b bin Zuhair Rady Allahu 'Anhu composed many qasaaid, all of which have been presented alphabetically in his Diwan (Collected Poems), beginning with the qasaaid that rhyme in the letter "alif'". Imam Abu Sa'id al-Hasan al-Husayn al-Sukkari (212-275 A.H/827-888 C.E) has written a sharh (appreciation) of this Diwan, published by al-Maktabatul 'Arabiyyah in Cairo.
Another famous Diwan of a sahabi (companion) is the Diwan Ka'b ibn Malik al-Ansari Rady Allahu 'Anhu. The Diwans classify the qasaaid (poems) by sadru'l bayt (the first word of the opening verse), qaafiyah (rhyme) and bahr (poetical meter). The most popular poetical meters at that time were at-taweel, al-baseet, al-kaamil and ar-rajaz; while al-khafeef, al-waafir, and al-mutaqaarib were also used. When we go through these Diwans, we come to the inevitable conclusion that qasaaid (religious poetry) really and truly flourished in the time of our beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam.
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh
Labid Praises Allah Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala In Verse
The beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam praised Labid bin Rabi'ah, a famous pre-Islamic poet for praising Allah in his poetry, as we learn from the following Hadith in Mishkat-ul-Masabih, Book 2, Chapter 12, p.188.
(4) Abu Hurairah reported that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: The truest words (ever) uttered by a poet is the saying of Labid: "Behold! Everything besides Allah is vain". (Abu Dawud) Later on, Labid came to accept Islam and continued to compose poems until his death, placing his gifts at the service of religion.
Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh
Good Poetry Encouraged But Frivolous Poetry Condemned
Sahih al-Muslim, Vol. 4, devotes a whole book on the subject of poetry (Kitab al-Shi'r) from which we learn that frivolous poetry is prohibited while good, wholesome poetry is commended as the following three Ahaadith show.
(5609) Abu Hurairah reported Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) as saying: It is better for a man's belly to be stuffed with pus which corrodes it than to (stuff) one's mind with frivolous poetry. Sayyidina AbuBakr has reported it with a slight variation of wording. (Muslim) (p. 1221) (5602) 'Amr bin Shareed reported his father as saying: One day when I rode behind Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam), he said (to me): Do you remember any poetry of Umayya bin Abu as-Salt? I said: Yes. He said: Then go on. I recited a couplet and he said: Go on. Then I again recited a couplet and he said: Go on. I recited one hundred couplets (of his poetry). This Hadith has been reported on the authority of Sharid through another chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording. (Muslim) (p. 1220) (5603) 'Amr bin Sharid reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) asked him to recite poetry, the rest of the Hadith is the same but with this addition: "He (that is Umayya bin Abu Salt) was about to become a Muslim", and in the Hadith transmitted on the authority of Ibn Mahdi (the words are): "He was almost a Muslim in his poetry" (Muslim) (p. 1220)
When there is such overwhelming evidence from the life history of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam in support of good, wholesome, sound and beneficial poetry, it is easy to understand that verses 224 to 227 in Surah ash-Shu'ara of the Holy Qur'an deprecate only those poets who do not believe in Allah Sub'hanahu wa Ta'ala but commend those poets "who believe and do good deeds".
And as for the poets, the misguided ones follow them. Have you not seen how they wander about in every valley, And how they say what they do not practice?
Except those who believe and do good deeds and remember Allah much, and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged; and those who act unjustly, will come to know to which (final) place of turning they shall return (after death).(Qur'an 26:224-227) Imam al-Ghazali explains these verses in the Ihya' as follows:
"Allah says: And as for the poets, the misguided ones follow them. By this verse, only the infidel poets have been mentioned. It is not understood from this that good poetry has been banned". (Vol. 2, p. 214) And according to Tafsir Jalaalain, that is the Commentary on the Qur'an by al-'Allamah Jalaaluddin Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Mahalli and Imam Jalaaluddin 'Abd-ir-Rahman bin AbiBakr as-Suyuti, the words "Except those who believe and do good deeds", refers to Muslim poets.
This should also convince us more and more that the blessed Hadith Shareef of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam is a commentary on the Holy Qur'an Kareem and that without the Hadith, it is difficult if not impossible to understand the Word of Allah, the Glorified and the Exalted. Mawlaaya Salli wa Sallim daaiman abadaa 'Alaa Habibika Khayril khalqi kullihimi Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'alayh
References
Qur'an Karim
1. Translation, by al-'Allamah Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, Kutub Khana Isha'at al-Islam, Delhi, n.d. Hadith Shareef
1. Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari, translation (tr) by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Kazi Publications, Lahore, 1979. 2. Imam Abul Husayn Muslim, Sahih al-Muslim, tr. by Abdul Hamid Siddiqi, Sh. Muhammad Ashraf, Lahore, 1976.
3. Imam Abu Muhammad Husayn bin Mahmud al-Baghawi and Imam Waliuddin al-Khatib al-Umri, Mishkat u'l Masabih (Niche For Lamps), tr. By al-Hajj Mawlana Fazal ul Karim, I.M. Trust, Dacca, 1970.
Diwans (Collected Poems)
1. 'Abd al-Rahman al-Barquqi, Sharh Diwan Hassaan bin Thabit al-Ansari (An Appreciative Explanation of the Collected Poems of Hadrat Hassaan bin Thabit, RadyAllahu 'Anhu), Daru'l Ankas, Beirut, 1978. 2. Imam Abu Sa'id al-Hasan al-Husayn al-Sukkari, Sharh Diwan Ka'b ibn Zuhair (An Appreciative Explanation of the Collected Poems of Hadrat Ka'b bin Zuhair, RadyAllahu 'Anhu), al-Maktabatal 'Arabiyya, Cairo, 1965.
3. Sayyidunal Imam al-Habib 'Abdallah bin 'Alawi al-Haddad, Ad-Durrul Manzum Li-Dhawi'l 'Uqul wa'l Fuhum (Poetic Pearls For Discerning and Understanding Minds), also referred to as the Diwan of Mawlana al-Haddad, 1405 A.H.
Ancient and More Recent Classics
1. Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad al-Ghazali, Ihya' 'Ulum al-Deen (The Revival of the Religious Sciences), tr. By Al-Hajj Mawlana Fazal-ul-Karim, The Book House, Lahore, 1963. 2. Imam Shihabuddin as-Suhrawardi, 'Awaarif u'l Ma'aarif (The Illuminative Knowledge of the Spiritual Masters), forms part of Vol. 5 of Ihya' 'Ulum al-Deen, Dar ul Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1417 A.H/1996 C.E.
3. Hadrat Data Ganj Bakhsh 'Ali al-Hujwiri, Kashf al-Mahjub (Unveiling The Veiled Spiritual Aspects of Islam), Urdu translation and publication by Janab Muhammad Altaf Nairvi Saheb, Lahore, 1992.
4. Imam Sharafuddin Muhammad al-Busiri, Qasida tu'l Burda (The Poem of the Prophet's Mantle), in Majmu' Mawlidi Sharaf al-Anaam (Collected Classics On The Birth Of The Best Of Mankind, Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam), Sulayman Mar'ee (ed), Singapore, 1370 A.H., p. 148-173.
5. Sayyidunal Imam al-Habib 'Abdallah bin 'Alawi al-Haddad, It'haaf-i's-Saail (Gifts For The Seeker), Dar ul Hawi, Beirut, 1414/1993; tr. By Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi, The Quilliam Press, London, 1992.
6. Sayyidunal Imam al-Habib Ahmad Mash'hur bin Taha al-Haddad, Miftah u'l Jannah (Key To The Garden), Dar ul Hawi, Beirut, 1416/1995; tr. By Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi, The Quilliam Press, London, 1990. Reprinted by al-Hawi Publications, Beirut, 1997. Also translated by Shaikh Mohamed Mlamali Adam in consultation with Sayyid 'Umar 'Abdallah, as The Key To Paradise, England, 1408/1988. Reprinted by Iqra Publications, Memon Jamat Nairobi, Nairobi, 1409/1989.
7. Imam as-Sayyid Muhammad bin 'Alawi al-Maliki, Baaqatun 'Atirah (The Perfumed Bouquet), n.d.
8. Imam Yusuf ibn Ismail an-Nabahaani, Waseelatush-Shafiy (The Means To Healing), in Shaykh Muhyuddin bin 'AbdulRahman bin Muhammad Zanzibari (ed), Azkaar wa'l Awraad (Regular Voluntary Invocations), Sulayman Mar'ee, Singapore, 1405/1985, p. 13-18.
9. Imam Yusuf ibn Ismail an-Nabahaani, Anwaar u'l Muhammadiyyah (Muhammadan Lights), Hakikat Kitabevi, Istanbul, 1988.
10. Martin Lings, Muhammad, Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, Inner Traditions, Rochester, Vermont, 1983.
Footnotes
[1] The musical instrument stands here for the nice voice.
(2792) A hill near Makkah
(2793) i.e. the horses
(2794) It does not matter much to him.
[2] The man, (Sayyidina) 'Umar inferred from the invocation of the Prophet, (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam)that 'Amirwould be granted martyrdom.
Except those who believe and do good deeds and remember Allah much, and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged; and those who act unjustly, will come to know to which (final) place of turning they shall return (after death).(Qur'an 26:224-227) Imam al-Ghazali explains these verses in the Ihya' as follows:
"Allah says: And as for the poets, the misguided ones follow them. By this verse, only the infidel poets have been mentioned. It is not understood from this that good poetry has been banned". (Vol. 2, p. 214) And according to Tafsir Jalaalain, that is the Commentary on the Qur'an by al-'Allamah Jalaaluddin Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Mahalli and Imam Jalaaluddin 'Abd-ir-Rahman bin AbiBakr as-Suyuti, the words "Except those who believe and do good deeds", refers to Muslim poets.
This should also convince us more and more that the blessed Hadith Shareef of the beloved Prophet Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam is a commentary on the Holy Qur'an Kareem and that without the Hadith, it is difficult if not impossible to understand the Word of Allah, the Glorified and the Exalted.
