In the early spring days, in a beautiful evening, we went to Alwaan, a day of Islamic art and culture, conducted by the Islamic Society in our campus. It was a celebration of the finest art, poetry and song inspired by Islam. And it was really impressive. I had never enjoyed a nasheed until I heard my colleague with his beautiful voice singing the Burda of Busiri. Probably because before singing, he gave the explanation and the meaning of the Arabic words.
Maulaa yaa shalli wa salim daa iman abadaa
A’laa habibika khairil khalqi kullihimi
Oh God send prayers and peace for always and forever
Upon the one You have loved, the best of all creation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8dGisCH-HA&mode=related&search=
I did some research in Google. And the story behind this poetry is much more fascinating. It was a story about Imam Busiri who speaks of his love for Rasulullah SAW. Here below is the story, taken from http://www.deenislam.co.uk/burdah/burdah.htm
The writer Imam Busiri had become paralyzed. His doctors and physicians gave up all hope of his recovery. Eventually in this state of complete helplessness and despair he composed this poem expressing the grandeur and excellence of Rasulullah SAW. Using this as his sole means of asking Allah to cure him from his illness, he isolated himself in a quiet place one Thursday night and with complete devotion, concentration and sincerity, he began reciting this poem. While reciting it, sleep overcame him. He had a vision of Rasulullah SAW. He told Rasulullah SAW of his illness whereupon Rasulullah SAW passed his blessed hand over Imam Busiri’s body. Through the barakat and blessing of Rasulullah SAW, Allah granted him complete cure from his paralysis. When he awoke he found a scarf or shawl on his body which he had seen Rasulullah SAW place on his paralyzed limbs. This resulted in the poem being named “Qasidah Burdah” (The Poem of the Scarf).
In the morning when due to some necessity, he went to the bazaar, a pious dervish greeted him with salaam and requested him to recite the qasidah which he had composed in praise of Rasulullah SAW. The poet said that I have composed many poems in praise of Rasulullah SAW, which one do you wish to hear? The dervish replied: ‘The one which begins with, A-min Tazak-kurin (i.e. Qasidah Burdah)”. Upon this request the poet became wonder struck and said, “I take an oath that no one knows about this poem. Tell me the truth, from whom did you hear about it?” The dervish replied, “I take an oath by Allah that I heard it from you last night when in a dream you had recited it to Rasulullah SAW, whereupon Rasulullah SAW became attentive towards you and because of its blessings Allah granted you complete cure from your ailment”.
When the poet gave this poem to the dervish his secret became known to all the people and its barakat and blessings too became general for all.
