Islamic Cultural Studies

Prophet Muhammad: Songs in Praise of the Prophet: Na't



The choir of the Kilimani Muslim School in Zanzibar (East Africa) reciting a Swahili qasida, or praise poem, celebrating the Prophet Muhammad's birth. Each verse is followed by a refrain - the salawat in Arabic - invoking God's peace and blessings on Muhammad. Note the phrasing of the salawat is identical to that in first selection, allahuma salli ala Muhammad ya rabbi salli alaihi wasallim. Other words are:

as-salatu as-salam alaika ya rasul allah
prayer and blessing on you, O messenger of God

as-salatu as-salam alaika ya habib allah

God's servant, Muhammad's name is on everyone's lips
Even his praises are widely known

allahuma salli ala Muhammad ya rabbi salli alaihi wasallim

To his east and to his west
People were made happy by the news of his birth

allahuma salli ala Muhammad ya rabbi salli alaihi wasallim

 

(from: Music from Tanzania and Zanzibar 3, producer Sten Stendahl)

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