Chapter Four
Concerning the Birth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam
(**Note Working Progress - came back for more - updated 29th Dec 2014***)
The Origins of Qasida Burda Shareef
Qasaid al-Burda "Poem of the Mantle/Scarf" is an ode of praise for the Holy Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. The poem's actual title is al-Kawakib ad-Durriya fi Madh Khayr al-Bariya The Celestial Lights in Praise of the Best of Creation" Qasidah Burdah is the nickname given to the poem the other name is Qasida Bur'ah-Poem of Cure. Because Imam Busiri's reason for composing it was to seek a cure for his illness.
Composition of the Burdah
The Burda is divided into 10 chapters and 160 verses. Each verse ends with the Arabic letter mīm, a style called mimiya. The 10 chapters of the Burda comprise of Love Yearning for the Prophet, Warnings about the Caprices of the Self, the Praise of the Prophet, his Birth, his Miracles, the Exalted Stature and Miraculous Merits of the Qur'an, the Ascension of the Prophet, the Chivalrous Struggle of God's Messenger, Seeking Intercession through the Prophet and Intimate Discourse and the Petition of One’s State.
In its ten chapters, the Burda, in essence a madih (loving praise of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) and mawlid (Prophet’s lifestory), expresses the core values, meanings, and sentiments of Islam. Most commonly performed as inshad (musical recitation), especially on the occasion of the Prophet’s birth (12 Rabia al-Awwal), in Sufi rituals, or other devotions, the Burda has become the most widely-recited poem in the Muslim world.
Full name of Imam Busiri was Abu Abdallah Sharafuddin Muhammad ibn Sa'id ul-Busiri (1211–1296). He was born and lived in Egypt (He descended from the North African Berber Sanhaja tribe of Morocco). He himself was a sufi shaykh in the lineage of Shadhiliyya school of sufism. He was a disciple of Imam Abul 'Abbas al-Mursi who was a Khalifa of Imam Abul Hasan ash-Shadhdhil.
It says there are Four Secrets of the Shadhdhils and the Burdah is one of the Four
1. Hizbul of Imam Shadhili-links
2. Qasida Burah of Imam Busiri-links
3. Hikam of Imam Ibn 'Ata illah-links
4. Dalail Khayrat of Imam Jazuil-links
Sufi Mind Map - Four Shadhili Secrets (Click to Enlarge)
I have two similar versions of the events:
Version 1Imam Busiri became completely paralyzed and the conditions only worsened by every day. Through his serious physical affliction coupled with a deeper spiritual aspiration Busiri turned inward whole-heartedly.
Invoking the help of Prophet Muhammad and his intercession, he fervently prayed to God the Almighty, with tears, repentance and sincerity of purpose, to grant him a speedy relief from the paralysis. With inspiration and love for the Prophet the poetic instinct of Busiri composed a tribute to the Prophet as a hymn (qasidah). He continued reciting the poem with ardent zeal again and again till he fell asleep. In his sleep state Busiri had the most amazing dream unlike any he had ever before.
In that magnificently lucid dream Prophet Muhammad appeared to him and asked Busiri to read the ode the poet wrote for him. When he said, "O Messenger! I wrote many eulogies for you; which one do you wish?" the Prophet indicated the last by reciting the first verse. While Busiri recited the ode, the Prophet listened with pleasure, swaying from side to side. Then as a sign of his approval and reward, the Prophet wrapped his famous mantle around the poet.
Imam Busiri woke up with profound joy. While pleasurably trying to gather the dream together, he realized that his paralysis had vanished, and he was astounded with happiness. Read from the account of the poet himself: "I was suddenly paralyzed down one side of my body by a stroke. I decided to compose this ode, the Burdah. I hoped that it would be a means unto Allah, by which He would cure me. So I recited it again and again, weeping, praying, and petitioning God. I fell asleep, and in a dream, I saw the Blessed Prophet. He moved his noble hand across my face, and placed his cloak upon me. When I awoke, I found that I had recovered my health."
Version 2
Imam Busiri had become paralysed. 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 Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam. Using this as his sole means of asking Allah Ta'alaa to cure him from his illness. He isolated himself in a quiet place one Thursday night and with complete devotion, concentration and sincerity/ began reciting this poem. While reciting it sleep overcame him. He had a vision of Sayyidina. Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam. He told Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam of his illness whereupon Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam passed his blessed hand over Imam Busairi's body. Through the barakat and blessing of Sayyidina, Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam Allah Ta’alaa granted him complete cure from his paralysis. When he awoke he found a scarf or shawl on his body which he had seen Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam place on his paralysed 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 Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. The poet said that I have composed many poems in praise of Rasuluallah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, 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 Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, whereupon Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam became attentive towards you and because of its blessings Allah Ta'alaa 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 barakah-blessings and blessings too became general for all. When this poem reached Baha-ud-deen the governor of the country named Tahir, he so highly regarded and respected it that he would stand while listening to it.
It is also narrated that Sa'aadud-deen Farouqi, who was a viceroy of Baha-ud-deen, had became blind. In a dream he saw a pious person who told him to take the Qasidah Burdah from Baha-ud-deen and place it on his eyes. In the morning he told Baha-ud-deen about this dream. The Qasidah Burdah was brought and with full sincerity and conviction Sa'aadud-deen placed it on his eyes. Through its barakat Allah Ta'alaa granted him complete cure and restored his eyesight.
Near the near Imam Busiri Shadhili as a Saint had reached the high spiritual station (maqam) of Al-Ghawthiyyah Al-Kubra ("the Grandest Spiritual Helper". When he would walk down the street, the young and old would come out to greet him and kiss his hand. His body was said to have emitted a sweet scent and he wore fine clothes, had a head of snow-white hair, a humble smile, was ascetic in his lifestyle, and had a respectable and virtuous character.
Miraculous power of the Burdah
The Qasida Burda is revered to both orthodox traditional muslims as well as mystical path oriented sufis. Up to the present time its verses are used as amulets. The Burda is credited with extraordinary spiritual therapeutic and protective power (baraka) stemming from its author’s personal relation to the Prophet (recitation, and miraculous cure), and is believed capable of reproducing such a relation for others who recite it. To some sufi account it is narrated that if one recite the Burdah with pure intention and love for 10 days, one will meet the prophet in one's dream by God's permission. Many have their share of experiences of miracles after reading the Burdah or attending a gathering where Burdah is recited.
Chapter Four from Imam busiri's Qasidah Burdah
Concerning the birth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam
Imam Busairi in this chapter speaks of the birth of
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. In the pervious chapter his
praises were mentioned. The blessed day on which Rasulullah Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallam, was born is a praise worthy event. The birth of
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, illuminated the entire universe.
Some miracles and incidents which took place at the time of birth are
mentioned in this chapter. These were signs of the greatness of
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi
Wasallam came to remove all difficulties and calamities from the world.
Note: My comments (Muhammad Sajad Ali)
references:
http://ibrizmedia.com/mawlid-gift-part-6/
http://www.techofheart.co/2008/11/qasidah-al-burdah-poem-of-mantle-most.html
- His birth distinctly showed his pure origin.
- the excellence! Of his beginning and his end.
Verses 4:1-2 -The noble lineage and the Purity of the Prophet’s Lineage (Allah bless him and give him peace)
Allah Most High has purified this noble lineage from the fornication of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance [jahiliyya]. This is reported in many acceptable hadith reports. Al-Bayhaqi reported in his Sunan that Ibn ‘Abbas said, “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘Nothing of me hailed from the fornication of jahiliyya. I was only born through the union of Islam.’”
Abu Nu’aym also reported from Ibn ‘Abbas in a raised tradition, “None of my forefathers ever committed fornication, and Allah continued to transmit me from the pure loins of fathers to the pure wombs of mothers. Never would a family line branch out in two except that I was in the best of the two.”
Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi narrated (and al-Tirmidhi declared it authentic) from al-‘Abbas b. ‘Abd al-Muttalib who said, “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘When Allah created the creation, He placed me among the best of His creation. When He split them up He placed me among the best of the two groups. Then He created the tribes and placed me in the best tribe. When He created the souls He placed me in the best of them. Then He created the houses and placed me in the best house—I am therefore the best of you in house and in self.’” In other words, he was the best of them in pedigree and personality and self.
- On that day the Persians discovered that they (were going face misfortune)
- Were warned with the approach of misfortune and punishment.
- And the walls of the palace of Kisra trembled and crumbled.
- Like how the army of Kisra was scattered never to be untied again.
Battle of Khandaq and the future event of the scattering of the Persians.
At the Battle of Khandaq - the Holy Prophet peace be upon him took an pickaxe in his blessed hands and struck a big rock. The rock was shattered into pieces and from it rose 3 streaks of light, one for Persian, one for Byzantinians and Yeman and its meaning was all would scattered.
These verses "truly have the believers been tested and shaken, shaken severely and if the hypocrites and those with doubting hearts say: Allah and His Messenger did not promise us other than delusion” (Surah Ahzab 33:11-12) appear in the Hizb ul Bahr and are taken from (Surah Azhab 33:11-12) and they refer to the Battle of Khandaq and the big Rock that was scattered.
An episode from the Battle of Khandaq
The disbelievers of Arabia, the Jews and the Christians all joined in a united front
against Muslims and resolved to attack Madinah and fight a conclusive battle. This they did, determined to eradicate Islam and Muslims from the face of the earth. The battle is called 'al-Ahzab' in the Qur'an, and 'Khandaq in history, because the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam: Peace be upon him had decided in consultation with his Companions that a khandaq or trench be dug around parts of Madinah to block the unhindered attack of the enemy during this battle. And this is what happened:
The Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam: Peace be upon him was taking part in this digging operation as an individual like everybody else. By chance, the diggers came upon a huge rock in a certain part of the trench. Those who were assigned to dig that part of the trench tried their best to break it apart but they became helpless and gave up.
They asked Sayyidna Salman al-Farisi Radhi-Allahu Anh: Allah be pleased with him to go to the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam: Peace be upon him, tell him about the problem and seek his instructions in this connection.
The Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam: Peace be upon him immediately came at the spot, took the pickaxe in his blessed hands and struck at the rock. The rock was shattered into pieces and from it rose a streak of light which illuminated the area far and wide. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam: Peace be upon him said: 'In this light, I see the palaces and buildings of Hirah in the country of Persia.
He struck again and a second beam of light rose. He said: 'In this light, I was shown the red palaces and buildings of the Byzantinians.' When he struck the third time and the flame beamed its light around, he said: 'In this I was shown the great palaces of San'a in Yemen.' Then, he said: 'I share the good news given by Jibra'il with you that my community of Muslims will prevail over all these countries.' - The fire (of their Temples) took a cool breath (subsided and died out), out of regret.
Other unnatural occurrances are the exitinguishing of the fire of Zoroastrian temple which is said to have be gone out after 1000 years of fire.
- While the rivers (of Persia) had sleepless eyes (dries up) from excessive sorrow.
- Saawah (village in Persia) became grief stricken with the drying up of its lake.
The drying up of of the Lake of the Persian city at Sawah. The Fire and the city are personified to express the grief and anguish of the Persians.
- And the (thirsty) water bearer returned in anger with disappointment.
- It is as though fire became wet like water.
- Due to grief, while water was (affected by) the blazing fire.
- And the jinn was shouting (at the appearance of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the NUR was glistening.
Verse 4:13 - It said when the Holy prophet peace be upon him was Born that Shaytan who is a form of Jinna and started screaming and crying and started to pour sand over his head, knowing that he had finally lost, interest only
This is a reply to all those counterparts-(an equal) to Shaytan that cry and moan at Mawlid from Imam Ibn Kathir;
And Indeed everyone rejoices except for SHAYTAN and his counterparts-(an equal), because:
Iblis cried loudly four times;
first when Allah declared him as cursed,
second when he was thrown out,
Third When Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) was BORN and
fourth when Surah Fatiha was revealed
(Imam Ibn Kathir in Al Bidayah wan Nihayah, Volume 2, Page No. 166)
- And the truth (nubuwaat) appeared with these anwaar, and with their voices.
- (The kaafir) became blind and deaf, to the announcements of glad tidings.
- Nor did they hear and the lighting of warning was nor seen by them.
- After their fortune tellers had informed the people.
- That their false religions would not stand.
- And even after they witnessed shooting stars on the horizon.
- Falling, just as (their) idols were (falling) on earth.
- So much so that they kept running from the path of wahi
- The devils (shaytaan), one after the other.
- As though in running away the shaytaan were the army of Abrahah.
- Or like that army (put to flight) upon whom (Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) threw pebbles.
- Which he threw after their making tasbih in his (mubarak hands).
- Like how ( Hadhrat Yunus Alayis Salaam) when he made tasbih (of Allah) was thrown out from the stomach of the swallowing (fish).
Note: My comments (Muhammad Sajad Ali)
references:
http://ibrizmedia.com/mawlid-gift-part-6/
http://www.techofheart.co/2008/11/qasidah-al-burdah-poem-of-mantle-most.html
No comments:
Post a Comment