Popular Practice: Songs in Praise of the Prophet: Qawwali
This selection is a qawwali from Pakistan recited by Bahauddin Qutbuddin Qawwal and party. It uses as its refrain the phrase Ya habibi ya Muhammad, "O my beloved, O Muhammad." The lyrics are:
Praise be to the Creator who is Singular
whose blessings are reflected from every nook and
corner of the universe!
Your remembrance is my prayer, your grace stems from
Divine Light.
Whoever opts to become a beggar in your streets, is, in
fact, the envy of kings!
ya habibi ya Muhammad
Qais of Najd fell for Laila, the charmer [Qais and Laila legendary pair of
Arab lovers]
Farhad fell in love with Shirin, the moon-like [Farhad and Shirin famous pair
of lovers in Persian legends]
Prophet Yusuf selected the shimmering beauty of Zulaikha
In short, every one went for his heart-snatcher
But we, the poor, have selected Muhammad mustafa " "the
chosen one"
ya habibi ya Muhammad
(from: Pakistani Soul Music (Haus der Rulteren der Welt, Berlin))
