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Introduction:

This Qasida was compiled by Sheikh Sharfuddin Abi Muhammad bin Saeedudd Delaasi Bosairi (alayhir rehmah). Allama Sharfuddin Bosairi (alayhir rehmah) was born at Abusair on the 1st of Shawaal 608 Hijri (7th March 1213 AC). This is how he acquired the name Bosairi. Another tradition reports that one of his Parents belonged to Abusair and Dellas that is why the both names are attributed to him.

 

He became a Hafezul Quran at the age of 13 years and then acquired Knowledge in Fiqh etc. From this Poetry you can see that he was very well versed in Islamic Theology etc. He was a well-known and outstanding Poet of the 7th Century Hijri. He was also a Calligraphist and earned his living by copying manuscripts. He occupied a high post in the field of Poetry and Literature. His collections of Verses have been published in Cairo. The Publication consists of many Qasidas, from which, Qasida Burdah and Qasida Hamza are most popular.

 

Qasida Burdah was translated from Arabic into many languages including Persian, Urdu, Latin, French and English. This Qasida is popular not only in The Middle East but also in India, Pakistan and Africa etc.  This Qasida was inscribed in beautiful Calligraphy on the Roof Domes of Musjid-e-Nabawi during the Turkish Reign and it was there till 1972.

 

Unfortunately, the greater part of Imam Sharfuddin’s (alayhir rehmah) biography is in darkness. It was through the blessings of this Qasida that he became popular. However, it is known that he spent 10 years of his life in Jerusalem and later settled in Madina.  Then he taught the Holy Quran in Makkah for 13 years. After this he settled down in Bilbees after acquiring some Government Work.

 

He passed away in Alexandra according to Haji Khalifa in 694 Hijri and according to Allama Jalaaluddin Syooti (alayhir rehmah) in 695 Hijri. (1300 AC.) He was buried in Fustat, Alexandra (Egypt).

Innah Lillahi Wa Innah ilayhi Raajihoon.

 

Why is it called Qasida Burdah?

Burdah is derived from the word Burd, which means acquisition, or a Sheet with stripes manufactured in Yemen. In this Qasida, Allama Sharafuddin (alayhir rehmah) writes about the morning breeze and the exposure of pleasure and delight. In some places he expresses his sadness of the departure and complains of his loneliness. Then he warns about the Ardent Soul of how it will trick you into its deception.  After this he guides the public and shows them how to ask from the Sacred Court of the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) and gain His Intercession. He discusses the virtues of the Sahaaba-e-Kiraam. He speaks about the Punishments of Allah, etc. In this manner he mentions many things; like, sincere love, etc. that is why this Qasida is called Qasida Burdah.

 

Some say that Burdah is something due to which one feels calm. When one recites it, his heart feels satisfied and it purifies the heart that is why it is called Qasida Burdah.

 

Another reason how it acquired this name was that when Allama recited this Qasida in front of the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) then the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) placed His Sacred Yemeni Shawl over him and he was completely cured.

 

In Itrul Wardah it is related that Saaduddin Al-Ghaar due to suffering from the inflammation of the eyes had become blind. He saw a dream that he must go to Bahauddin and take Burdah and place it against the eye and it will be cured. Bahauddin was a Minister. So he went to him and related his dream to him. Bahauddin said: I do not possess anything which is called Burdah but I have a Sacred Naat, which has been accepted, and Allah cures the sick people though the Blessings of it. So he took that Naat out and placed it against his eyes and it was instantly cured. From this Incident it was proved that the name Burdah was popular in the World of the Souls among the Saints and Angels.  Bahauddin did not know about this name and he used to call it Naat Sharief.

 

In Qasida Baanat-e- Saadiya when Hazrat Kaab bin Zuhair (radi Allahu anhu) embraced Islam he recited a Qasida and when he reached this Couplet: Our Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) is indeed like the bare sword, through its radiant glare the Light of Guidance is reaching the Entire World. The Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) granted him a Yemeni Shawl. For years this Sacred Shawl was kept in his family as a precious Gift.

 

Ameer Muaawiya (radi Allahu anhu) tried to buy this Shawl for 10.000 dirhams but Hazrat Kaab (radi Allahu anhu) refused to sell it. After his Wisaal, the inheritor sold it to Ameer Muaawiya for three thousand dirhams and it remained in the Abbasi Family for years. Whenever anyone was crowned, this Shawl was placed on the shoulders of the Khalifa. During the years of Fitna, this Shawl disappeared.

 

From this incident we discovered, that as a Sacred Gift, for the Qasidas, from the Sacred Court, of the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) Shawls were presented, which Allama also received. Subhanullah!

 

Miracles of this Qasida

 

Imam Sharfuddin Bosairi (alayhir rehmah) was a Disciple of a well-known Sufi, Abul Abbas Ahmad Al-Mursi (alayhir rehmah) and used to attend his Special Sermons regularly. He was very well versed in the Knowledge of Hadith and was an Expert in this field.

 

It appears that during this period as narrated by him that he had a severe stroke (of paralysis), which left half of his body inert and motionless. The best treatment available was resorted to but with no apparent success.

 

In an extreme mood of dejection, he decided to write some Verses in Praise of the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) in order to beg for his Salvation through it. His Prayers were accepted and he was able to proceed with the work.

After compiling this Qasida he went to sleep. He was granted the Sacred Opportunity, of seeing the Beloved Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) in his dream, who placed his Sacred Hands over his body and covered him with his Sacred Shawl. Instantly he was cured.  When he woke up, he observed that he was able to stand and move about.

 

The next day when he came out of his house, he met a Dervish (Holy Person) who was a stranger to him. The Dervish asked him to recite the Qasida, which he had written in Praise of the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam). He asked the Dervish which Qasida he was referring to.

 

The Dervish replied that he wanted to hear the Qasida that began with this Couplet:

اَمِنْ تَذَكُّرِ جِيْرَانٍ مبِذِىْ سَلَمٖ

Amin Tazakkuri Jeeraanim Bi Zee Salami

 

This Qasida till then was not known to anyone. The Dervish said that he had seen him reciting the Qasida, in front of the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) the previous night. So he gave the Qasida to the Dervish.

 

This incident attracted Publicity, when the Minister Bahauddin heard about this, he was so impressed with the Qasida that he made a copy for himself.  He used to cover his head, stand bare feet with respect listen to it. Due to the Barkat of this Qasida, he and his family thrived and flourished for a long time.

 

Benefit of reciting this Qasida

 

If this Qasida is read with sincere devotion and cleanliness, everyone will derive Spiritual Benefits. The Qasida is held in high esteem and reverence in all Islamic Countries. The reciting and memorizing of it are regarded as a source of Spiritual Blessings. As you have just read that the Author of this Qasida gained great benefits, this Qasida will continue to be heard and recited till the Day of Judgement, with the same devotion and reverence. Insha Allah! It will provide Spiritual Relief to the Lovers of the Beloved Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam).

 

Method of reciting this Qasida

 

In the beginning of this Qasida there is a very important point to observe. Glad Tidings have been given in the beginning and the ending, exposing the results that are shown verbally. Whoever is an ardent lover of this Qasida will always remain in peace and reside in the fort of joy and cheerfulness.

 

In the Couplet Amin Tazakkuri (اَمِنْ تَذَكُّرِ) the word Aminta (اَمِنْتَ) was mentioned, which means that, you are now in peace.

 

Then the last Couplet states:

وَ اَطْرَبَ الْعِيْسَ حَادِیْ الْعِيْسِ   بِالنَّغَمٖ

Wa Atrabal Eesa Haadil Eesi Bin Na’ami

which means the result of peace and safety is joy and cheerfulness. So this Qasida predicts to the reader in the beginning that you are in peace and in the end gives him the good news of living happily.

 

There are some conditions for reciting this Qasida and if it is read in that manner then one will derive great benefits.

 

Imam Ghaznavi (alayhir rehmah) used to recite this Qasida every night with the sole intention of seeing the Beloved Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam). He recited this Qasida for a long period but could not fulfil his ambition. So he went to his Sheikh and told him about it. The Sheikh replied: “Maybe you are missing some conditions of it.” Imam said: Huzoor I abide to all the conditions and read it with sincerity. So the Sheikh made Muraaqaba and said: “Ghaznavi now I know the secret why you are not getting results.” You are not reading the Durood that Hazrat Imam Sharfuddin Bosairi (alayhir rehmah) read. That Durood is:

مَوْلَاىَ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ دَآئِمًا اَبَدًا

عَلىٰ حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمٖ

Mowla Ya Swalli Wa Sallim Daa’iman Abadan

‘Ala Habeebika Khayril Khalqi Kullihimi

Only this Durood should be read and no other Durood should be read.

 

Conditions of this Qasida

It is necessary to be clean and be with Wazu to concentrate on the words and meanings. Sit facing the Qiblah. Pronounce every word properly. Whatever Couplet you read, you must understand its meaning, if not it will lose the effect. Every Couplet must be read like a Verse. Try to memorize the whole Qasida then read it.

Seek permission from someone who has control over it. Before and after, only the above Durood must be read i.e. Mowla Ya Swalli…

 

These Conditions were written in the Commentary of Allama Kharpoti (alayhir rehmah). It was also written by the Author of Shawaarul Fardah of the Suharwardiya Order that my Father Meer Sayyid Ali Bukhari Suharwardi (alayhir rehmah) gave me permission and showed me this Method of reading it.

  1. Whichever day you want to begin reading it feed one or many poor people.
  2. The food must have sweet and savory.
  3. Make Fateha for the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) and Imam Sharfuddin Bosairi (alayhir rehmah).
  4. Wear clean perfumed clothes and then begin reading.
  5. Wherever the name of the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) is mentioned, recite that Couplet thrice.
  6. Read it daily at a fixed time.
  7. If you can afford then in the beginning of every month feed the poor.
  1. Before and after the Qasida, read this Durood Sharief:

﷽

اَللّٰھُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰی سَیِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ مِلْاَ الدُّنْیَا وَمِلْاَ الْآخِرَۃِ وَبَارِکْ عَلٰی سَیِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ مِلْاَ الدُّنْیَا وَمِلْاَ الْآخِرَۃِ وَارْحَمْ عَلٰی سَیِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدٍ مِلْاَ الدُّنْیَا وَمِلْاَ الْآخِرَۃِ اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنِّیْ اَسْئَلُکَ یَا اَللّٰہُ یَا رَحْمٰنُ یَا رَحِیْمُ یَا جَارَ الْمُسْتَجِیْرِیْنَ یَا اَمَانَ الْخَائِفِیْنَ یَا عِمَادَ مَنْ لَا عِمَادَ لَہٗ یَا سَنَدَ مَنْ لَا سَنَدَ لَہٗ یَا ذُخْرَ مَنْ لَا ذُخْرَ لَہٗ یَا حِرْزَ الضُّعَفَاءِ یَا کَنْزَ الْفُقَرَاءِ یَا عَظِیْمَ الرِّجَاءِ یَا مُنْفِذَ الْھَلْکٰی یَا مُنْجِیْ الْغَرْقٰی یَا مُحْسِنُ یَا مُجْمِلُ یَا مُنْعِمُ یَا مُفْضِلُ یَا عَزِیْزُ یَا جَبَّارُ یَا مُنِیْرُ اَنْتَ الَّذِیْ سَجَدَ لَکَ سَوَادُ اللَّیْلِ وَضَوْ ءُ النَّھَارِ وَشُعَاعُ الشَّمْسِ وَحَفِیْفُ الشَّجَرِ وَدَوِیُّ الْمَاءِ وَنُوْرُ الْقَمَرِ یَا اَللّٰہُ اَنْتَ اللّٰہُ لَا شَرِیْکَ لَکَ اَسْئَلُکَ اَنْ تُصَلِّیَ عَلٰی سَیِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِکَ وَرَسُوْلِکَ وَعَلٰی اٰلِ سَیِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدِ نِ اللّٰھُمَّ وَاَعْطِ سَیِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدِ نِ الْوَسِیْلَۃَ وَالْفَضْلَ وَالْفَضِیْلَۃَ وَالدَّرَجَۃَ الرَّفِیْعَۃَ اَللّٰھُمَّ عَظِّمْ بُرْھَانَہٗ وَاَفْلِحْ حُجَّتَہٗ وَاَبْلِغْہُ مَامُوْلَہٗ فِیْ اَھْلِ بَیْتِہٖ وَاُمَّتِہٖ

  1. Before the commencement of this Qasida, it is recommended to read the following Verses:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ مُنْشِىْ الْخَلْقِ مِنْ عَدَمٖ

ثُمَّ الصَّلٰوةُ عَلٰى الْمُخْتَارِ فِىْ الْقَدَمٖ

مَوْلَاىَ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ دَآئِمًا اَبَدًا

عَلىٰ حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمٖ

 

Alhamdu Lillahi Munshil Khalqi Min Adami,

Summas Salaatu Alal Mukhtaari Fil Qidami.

Mowla Ya Swalli Wa Sallim Daa’iman Abadan

Alah Habeebika Khayril Khalqi Kullihimi

 

Regarding the second verse, it is related that after hearing the Qasida, the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) had recited these words. Therefore, it is regarded as a Source of Blessing, to recite this Verse after every Couplet, during the recital of the Qasida.

 

The peculiar feature of the Arabic Qasida in general, is that it commences, in a romantic mood, gradually approaches the main object, in contemplation in the later stages. For instance, the lover in the beginning, expresses his feelings of utter loneliness, describes how his mind and heart bear the imprint of his beloved. He wanders about the places and locality where his Beloved used to reside, walked about and had spent his early days and youth. He would be in the same state of mind as described by Jigar Muradabaadi:

Oh! It is a very long time that He (My Beloved)

came and went way.

Still He continues to linger in my eyes.

Here I see Him Walking, there I see Him Roaming.

Here He Comes, there He Goes.

 

Imam Ahl-e- Sunnat, Mujaddid-e-Deen-o-Millat, Sheikh-e-Tareeqat A’la Hadrat Allama Moulana Shah Ahmed Raza Khan Faazil-e-Bareilwi (alayhir rehmah) writes in one of his Naath:

His Affection will embrace everybody,

Even sad people will become Happy.

Die willingly on the Promise of Meeting Him,

Reward lies in the Experience of Greeting Him

 

In another Naath he says:

 

When the Holy Prophet (swallal lahu alayhi wasallam) walked along any Street,

the entire Earth became Fragrant and Sweet.

Dazzled by the Radiance of Your Complexion,

the Moon kissed Your Feet, as a Token of Devotion.

When the Flower of my Heart blossomed merrily,

I remembered the Lovely Garden of Madinah

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