It's fascinating how modern communication has made the world feel so much smaller. A few years ago, while I was visiting Dubai, I received a message from my dear friend Adnan in Vancouver. Knowing my passion for qawwali, he informed me that Farid Ayaz and Abu Muhammad were performing in the UAE. Thrilled, I reached out to Abu Muhammad, who had plans for the evening but kindly contacted the host, who graciously invited me to attend.
During the break, I had the opportunity to speak with Farid Ayaz about a beautiful naat I had heard only once before, performed by the Nizamuddin dargahi qawwals, Ghulam Sabir and Ghulam Waris. The brothers happen to be their distant relatives also of the Qawwal Bache Gharana. To my delight, something resonated with Ayaz, and with a gleam in his eye, he responded, ""aray aray ye toh aaj zaroor pardhein ge. mera bhi jii chaah raha hai""
The performance had that unique touch of Farid Ayaz, with his intricate giraahs interspersed and a lovely, reflective start. It was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful renditions of the famous dargahi kalam "Main Maili Tan Maila Mera. He says "Jab tak alfaaz ko aap rung roop na dein, alfaaz khul nahin sakte" ...he has certainly decorated or embellished them beautifully!
May you have a peaceful month of devotion and prayers. The roza will be long this year so there is a greater need
to be patient and less irritable towards our families.
Show generosity not just in what we give to the poor
but also through our spirit and our actions especially
with elders and the young ones. May I just and quickly
forgive the transgression of others. Show compassion
and mercy for the troubles of others. Keep my ego under
control and close to the soil. Beware of my own behavior
rather than criticize others. Set a good example for youngers
to be inspired and wish to follow.
Naatiya kalam by Hazrat Bedam Shah Warsi
Qawwal: Ustad Manzoor Hussain Khan Santoo
Adam se laayi hai hasti mein aarzu-e-rasool
kahan kahan liye phirti hai justuju-e-rasool
Talash e naqsh e kafe paaye Mustafa ki qasam
chunein hein aankhon se zaraat-e-khaak-e-kooh-e-rasool
Balayein loon mein teri aye jazb-e-shoaq salle alla
ke aaj daman-e-dil khich raha hai soo-e-rasool
Shagufta gulshan-e-Zahra ka her gul e tar hai
kisi mein rung-e-Ali aur kisi mein bu-e-rasool
Ajab tamasha ho maidan-e-hashr mein Bedam
ke sab hon paish-e-Khuda aur mein ruh-ba-ruh-e-rasool
A beautiful 30 minute long naatiya recital by the late Munshi Raziuddin and Sons Qawwal Party. Here the
Farsi kalam is masterfully interspersed by verses in Arabic and Urdu. The tone and pace of the recital is wonderfully contemplative and the party seem to be at their prime.
Ze rehmat kun nazar bar haal-e-zaram ya Rasoolallah
Ghareebam, beynawayam, khaaksaram ya Rasooallah
Tui taskeen-e-dil, araam-e-jaan, sabroqarar-e-man
Rukh-e-pur noor banuma, bey qararam Ya Rasool Allah
Ghareebam, madaram dar jahan justo, habeebam ya-Rasoolallah
Author: Molana Jami
Recital: Munshi Raziuddin, Farid Ayaz & Abu Muhammad Qawwal party
Kaheen itefaaq se ik din, chala mein jo apnay dayaar se
Sare reh mazaar nazar parda tha kafi is gard-o-ghubaar se
Keeya door gard-o-ghubaar ko, pardhi fateha bardey pyaar se
vahee aya jhonka naseem ka , to sada ye aayi mazaar se
Ya Muhammad, Muhammad, Muhammad
Na ho kyon ke Afzal hamara Muhammad
Ke hein apnay pyarey ka pyara Muhammad
Hamein jo dil se hai pyaray, Muhammad
Muhammad ke ham hein, hamara Muhammad
Qabr mein bhi sath le jaoon ga apna izteraaf
Baad-e-murdan bhi phirey gi ye rooh kehti huwi
naat os banda-e-khushbakht ki hoti hei qubool, jis ka sarmaya e hasti ho faqat ishq e rasool suhani raat thi aur pur-sakoon zamana tha asar mein dooba hua jazb-e-aashiqana tha jahan mein husn ka martaba bardhana tha havas thi deed ki, aur meraj ka bahana tha vo theen chandini ratein.......... jab gunahgar ke ambaar nazar aatey hein, apney aamaal khatahvar nazar aatay hein jab doob janein ke aasar nazar aatay hein, to kali kamli mein vo sarkaar nazar aatay hein daikh lo rehmat ki barsaat.............. wah wah bohatkhoob. particularly like the inclusion of both the violin and the clarinet. both are played with sensitivity. Thanks to Sayyan Qamar for sharing. "This group is from Lahore. The main singers name is Ejaz Hussain Pappu, his father Mohammad Siddique is the one next to the first harmonium player. I think this group started singin in the early 60's. I have no idea who their Ustad is? Ejaz Pappu has passed away and now his son Mohsin Ejaz Qawwal is carrying the legacy forward. "
For Farid Ayaz lovers this will be a true delight. I was completely bowled over seeing this 40 year old video of Qawwal Faird Ayaz performing with such confidence and ease when he was around 19 or 20 years old. Lovely takrar and tarz, accompanied by passionate singing and the grand master Munshi Raziuddin lost in the love for the Divine and the sheer pleasure of leading such a fabulous qawwal party.
Ya Rassool-Allah, Ya Rassool-Allah
Nigah-e-lutf ka mushtaq, aye sarkar mein bhi hun
Tumhari nargis-e-bimar ka bimar, mein bhi hun
Buron se bhi bura hun mein, magar aye Rehmat-e-alam
Tumhara naam leva, ik zaleel-o-khwar mein bh hun.....
Ze rehmat kun nazar bar haal-e-zaram ya Rasoolallah
Ghareebam, beynawayam, khaaksaram ya Rasooallah
Tui taskeen-e-dil, araam-e-jaan, sabroqarar-e-man
Rukh-e-pur noor banuma, bey qararam Ya Rasool Allah
Ghareebam, madaram dar jahan justo, habeebam ya-Rasoolallah
~ Molana Abdul Rahman Jami
trans:
Please caste your kind gaze onto my terrible state Oh Rasool e Allah!( zarem means a state of anguish because of thirst or anger)I am poor, I am voiceless and worthless Oh Rasool e Allah!
Only you can be the solace of my heart, comfort of my soul and contentment of my bosom.Bit when I see your Glowing vision I get restless Oh Rasool Allah.
I am poor, I do not love the attractions of life, my friend Oh Rasool e Allah!
Ishq ki Ibtida bhi tum Husn ki inteha bhi tum Phiray zamane mein chaar janib Sanam sarapa tuhji ko daikha Haseen daikhe, jameel daikhe Par ik tujhi ko tujhi sa daikha Maulvi Ahmed Hassan Akhtar Qawwal and Party were certainly amongst the greats in classical qawwali singing.
Farid Ayaz & Abu Muhammad Qawwali recite Rumi's Naatiya kalam:
credit audio recording: Sabina Zuberi, London, early 1990s
This rare and peaceful recital starts with a preamble of Khusrau's beautiful rubai in farsi:
Shaahaa ze karam bar man-e darveesh nigar
Bar haal-e khasta-e man-e dil-reesh nigar
Har chand niyam laayeq e bakhshaayesh e to
Dar man manegar bar karam e khesh negar........
trans:
O king! look at me, Thy humble supplicant, through Thy Grace
regard my state of weariness and wounded heart
However much I am unworthy of your mercy
Do not look upon me, look upon your own benevolence -----
continues on to the Naatiya kalam by Moalana Rumi:
Ya Rasool Allah, Habib e Khaaliq e Yakta Toui ............
-----
and finally in the last part at about 11.10 Ayaz effortlessly switches the tarz ever so slightly and blends in a couple of verses from Baba Zaheen Shah's kalam before switching back to RUMI:
There is a special generosity when a person of one faith is able to see beauty in another's and expresses it so eloquently in his words of praise and devotion.
Here is one such example of Bhai Mardana (brother of Guru Nanak) who wrote the words to this Purbi Naat in devotion to Prophet Muhammad (SAW): "Aye Arab ke Kunwar".
Qawwal: Farid Ayaz & Abu Muhammad
Ka tou se kahoon, aye arab ke kunwar Tum jaanat ho mann ki battiyaan
Darr furqat toh, aye ummi-laqab Kaate na katath hai ab rattiyaan
Turi preet mein, sudbud sab bisri Kab tak ye rahe gi bekhabari
Gaah e ma fighan durzeeda nazar Kabhi sun bhi toh lo humri battiyaan
This Naatiya kalam by Peer Mehr Ali Shah is one from a recital
by Abida Parveen. The wonderful backdrop is the Mohatta Palace in Karachi.
Kithay meher ali, kithay teri sana
Gustakh akhian kithay ja laRian
Where is (the humble) Mehr Ali to chant your praise
How impudent his eyes are to aspire to the heights of you Love!
Aj sik mitran di wadheri ae
Kyon dilri udas ghaneri ae
Loon loon vich shakh changeri ae
Aj nainan layian kyon jharian
Why is it that the yearning for the Loved One (i.e., the Holy Prophet) is especially strong today?
Why is my heart sadder today than even before?
Why does longing penetrate every tissue of mine?
And why are the eyes shedding tears like a shower of rain?
Kithay meher ali, kithay teri sana
Gustakh akhian kithay ja laRian
Where is (the humble) Mehr Ali to chant your praise
How impudent his eyes are to aspire to the heights of you Love!
Mukh chand badar shah shani ae
Mathe chamke laaj noorani ae
Kali zulf te akh mastani ae
Chite dand moti jaan hil larian
His face shines like the full moon;
A brilliant light radiates from his brow;
His hair is black,
and his eyes are bewitching and intoxicated.
Kithay meher ali, kithay teri sana
Gustakh akhian kithay ja laRian
Aisi soorat noon main jaan akhan
Jaan akhan k jaan-e-jahan akhan
Sach akhan te rub di shaan akhan
Jis shaan toon shanan sub banian
I am not sure whether I should call his face the essence of life;
Or life of the entire universe;
The truth is that it is (like) the glory of God,
From which all other (worldly) glories originated,
Kithay meher ali, kithay teri sana
Gustakh akhian kithay ja laRian
-------
اج سك متراں دی ودھیری اے، كیوں دلڑی اداس گھنیری اے
لوں لوں وچ شوق چنگیری اے، اج نیناں لائیاں كیوں جھڑیاں
مكھ چند بدر شعشانی اے ، متھے چمكے لاٹ نورانی اے
كالی زلف تے اكھ مستانی اے۔ مخمور اكھی ھن مدھ بھریاں
ایس صورت نوں میں جان آكھاں، جان آكھاجان جہان آكھاں
سچ آكھاں تے رب دی میں شان آكھاں, جس شان توشاناں سب بنیاں
اے صورت شالا پیش نظر، روے وقت نزاع تے روز حشر
وچ قبر تے پل تھی جد ھو سی گزر، سب كھوٹیاں تھیں سن سب كھریا
سبحان اللہ ما اجملك ، ما احسنك، ما اكملك،
كتھے مہر علی كتھے تیری ثنا، گستاخ اكھی كتھے جا اڑیا
Several readers have asked where they can find the audio. It is part of a collection entitled "Sufi Qawwalis" and the reason you may have difficulty to google it is because the track is called "Naat-e-Rasool" not Tanam Farsooda. This rendition is particularly special to me because of the satisfying alaap. An introduction that is common to qawwali and differs in almost every rendition depending on the mood the qawwal sets at that particular occasion.
If one listens carefully and deliberately to all the words in the preamble then the repetition of verses (Pashaema ya Rasool-Allah..) has an even greater impact.
Kalam Moalana Ahmed Jaami
___________________________________________
Tanam Farsooda jaa para
Ze Hijra Ya Rasulullah
Dillam Paz Murda Aawara
Ze Isyaa. Ya Rasulullah!
تنم فرسودہ جاں پارہ ز ہجراں، یا رسول اللہ ۖ دلم پژمردہ آوارہ ز عصیاں، یا رسول اللہ ۖ
My body is dissolving in your separation
And my soul is breaking into pieces. Ya Rasulullah!
Due to my sins, My heart is weak and becoming enticed. Ya Rasulullah!
______________________________________________
Choon Soo’e Mun Guzar Aari
Manne Miskeen Zanaa Daari
Fida-E-Naqsh-E-Nalainat
Kunam Ja. Ya Rasulullah!
چوں سوۓ من گذر آری، من مسکین ز ناداری فداۓ نقش نعلینت کنم جاں، یا رسول اللہ ۖ
When you pass by me
Then even in my immense poverty, ecstatically,
I must sacrifice my soul on your blessed sandal. Ya Rasulullah!
______________________________________________
Ze Jaame Hubb To Mustam
Ba Zanjeere To Dil Bustam
Nu’mi Goyam Ke Mun Bustum
Sukun Daa. Ya Rasulullah!
زجام حب تو مستم ، با زنجیر تو دل بستم نمی گویم کی من بستم سخنداں، یا رسول اللہ ۖ
I am drowned in the taste of your love
And the chain of your love binds my heart.
Yet I don’t say that I know this language (of love). Ya Rasulullah!
______________________________________________
Ze Kharda Khaish Hairaanam
Siyaa Shud Roze Isyaanam
Pashemaanam, Pashemaanam, Pashemaanam. Ya Rasulullah!
ز کردہ خیش حیرانم، سیاہ شد روز عصیانم پشیمانم، پشیمانم، پشیمانم، یا رسول اللہ ۖ
I am worried due to my misdeeds;
And I feel that my sins have blackened my heart. Ya Rasulullah!
I am in distress! I am in distress! I am in distress! Ya Rasulullah!
______________________________________________
Choon Baazoo’e Shafaa’at Raa
Khushaa’I Bar Gunaagara
Makun Mahruume Jaami Raa
Daraa Aan. Ya Rasulullah!
چوں بازوۓ شفاعت را کشا بر گناہگاراں مکن محروم جامی را در آں، یا رسول اللہ
Ya Rasulullah! When you spread your hands to intercede for the sinners,
Then do not deprive Jaami of your exalted intercession.
At the beginning of Ramazan it feels so appropriate to sing praise of Rasool Allah (SAW).
What a fabulous recital of this naatia kalam by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. So calm, so collected and yet so absorbed in the qaseeda.
Reference is made to the Arsh (mighty throne) of Allah which is said to rest on eight thousand pillars. The distance between two of the pillars is supposed to be three million miles. Dulha is reference to the Groom (of the heavens) for Muhamamad (SAW). The poetry is flowery as is the norm in naats and the vocabulary used is typically sweet in Urdu. The true magic is in the devotion and love for the Devine of course.
Azmat-e-Shah e Wala Bardi Cheez hai Arsh-e-Azam ka Dulha Bardi Cheez hai
Jalte hein Jibrael ke par Jiss Maqaam per Uski Haqeeqaton se Shanasa Wohi to hai Arsh-e-Azam ka Dulha Bardi Cheez hai
Ibn-e-Yaqoob ko Allah ne Surat bakhshi Har Nabi ko koi Izzat koi Azmat bakhshi Aur Eisa ko Masihae ki Dolat bakhshi Mere Sarkar ko Bepardah Ziarat bakhshi Arsh-e-Azam ka Dulha Bardi Cheez hai
Yoon to Sare Nabi Mohtaram hein magar Arsh-e-Azam ka Dulha Bardi Cheez hai Yoon to Eisa bhi hein Moosa bhi hein Yusuf bhi magar Arsh-e-Azam ka Dulha Bardi Cheez hai
Aey Farishton, wo Sultan-e-Mairaj hein Yun jo Daikho gay, Hairan ho jao ge Zulf Tafseer-e-Wallail bun jaye gi Chehra Quran Sara Nazar aaye ga Arsh-e-Azam ka Dulha Bardi Cheez hai
Alam Usay Sajda karey Arsh-e-Bareen dar per Jhuke Shah-e-Arab Mehboob-e-rab Kiss Shan ka Mehmaan hai Arsh-e-Azam ka Dulha Bardi Cheez hai
Azmat-e-Shah-e-Wala Bardi Cheez hai Arsh-e-Azam ka Dulha Bardi Cheez hai Rahbar-e-Deen-o-Dunya Bardi Cheez hai Shan-e-Sarkar-e-Badha Bardi Cheez hai
Dono Alam ka Aaqa Bardi Cheez hai Dono Alam ka Aaqa Mohammad Kamli Aala
Imam-ul-Mursalin Kahiyeh ke Mehboob-e-Khuda Kahiyeh Gunaahgaro ki Khatir Shafa-e-Rooz-e-Jaza Kahiyeh Khuda ne Khud Pukara hai Imam-ul-Musralin keh ker Zabaan per Naam jab Aaye to Phir Salle Ala kahiyeh
Darood un per Salaam un per Nabuwwat Khatam un per Unhein Shams-ud-Doha Kahiyeh, Unhein Badr-ud-Duja Kahiyeh Muhammad Kamliwala, Dono Alam ka Aaqa Muhammad Kamliwala
Muhammad Mustafa ko Zaat-e-haq ka Aina Kahiyeh Unhe ko Ibtida Kahiyeh, Unhi ko Intiha Kahiyeh Muhammad Kamliwala, Dono Alam ka Aaqa Muhammad Kamliwala
Wo har Tareef se Afzal Wo har Tauseef se wala Shah-e-her-do-Sara Kahiyeh ke Mehboob-e-Khuda Kahiyeh Muhammad Kamliwala, Dono Alam ka Aaqa, Muhammad Kamliwala
Shams-ud-Doha Badr-ud-Duja, Noor-ul-Huda Khair-ul-Wara Wo Azmat-e-Insaan Hai, Wo Zeenat-e-Quran Hai Muhammad Kamliwala, Dono Alam ka Aaqa, Muhammad Kamliwala
Izzat-o-Jah-o-Sarwat Koi Shai Nahi Sare Aalam ki Daulat Koi Shai Nahi Taaj o Takht o Hakomat Koi Shai Nahi Raaj Walon ki Naimat Koi Shai Nahi Kamliwale ka Sadqa Bardi Cheez hai
Mat dehr ke sagan-e-kamina se Bheek Maang Har waqt Tajdar-e-Madina se Bheek Maang Bardi Cheez hai, Kamliwale ka Sadqa Bari Cheez hai
Chand Taron Mei yeh Shan-o-Shouqat Kahan Ghuncha-o-Gul Mein Aise Haqiqat Kahan Lal-o-Gauhar ki Yeh Qadr-o-Qeemat Kahan Meri Loh-e-Jabeen ki yeh Qismat Kahan
Mere dawar Mujhe aur Kya Chahiyeh, iss Se Barhh Ker Mujhe aur Kya Chahiyeh Aey Munawwar Mujhe aur Kya Chaiyeh, Roz-e-Mehshar Mujhe Kya Chahiyeh
Mustafa ka Sahara Bardi Cheez hai Bekason ko Bhala aur Kya Chaiyeh, Astan-e-Habib-e-Khuda Chaiyeh Aik Jabeen-e-Aqidat ko Kya Chaiyeh, Naqsh-e-Pa Habib-e-Khuda Chaiyeh Aik Gunahgar ko Aur Kya Chaiyeh, Shah-e-Qounain ka Aasra Chaiyeh Mustafa ka Sahara Bardi Cheez hai
Kashti ki Baat Hai na Kinare ki Baat hai Ke Nakhuda ke Sahare ki Baat hai Hum se Gunahgaro ki Bakhsish Baroz-e-Hashar Aaqa ke Aik Adna Ishare ki Baat hai
Mustafa ka Sahara Bardi Cheez hai
Mere Haal per Kisi ka yeh Karam Nahi to kya hai Jahan na o Dagmagai Waheen aa gaya Kinara Mujhe Aap se Hai Nisbat to Jahan-e-Rang o bo Mein Mujhe Kya Gharaz ke Dhondo Kisi Ghair ka Sahara Mustafa ka Sahara Bardi Cheez hai
Aey Sahib-e-Kashti Fikr na ker Sarkar Madad ko Ain ge Toofano ke Rukh Phir Jate Hein Jab Unki Inayat Hoti hai Mustafa ka Sahara Bardi Cheez hai
Roz-e-Mehshar Mujhe aur Kya Chaiyeh Mustafa ka Sahara Bardi Cheez hai
Azmat-e-Shah-e-Wala Bardi Cheez hai Azmat-e-Shah-e-Wala Bardi Cheez hai
