Sufi Songs and Poems

The Sufi song (Qassaid) is a body of poems composed by the greatest saints of Islam throughout history and to our present day. It is a sincere expression of the purest states of the heart. It’s themes revolve around the love of GOD and of His Prophet (…). The songs are generally sung in groups in the mosques , concerts or gatherings of Sufi meetings.

“It is one teaching and one relationship which is transmitted down to the present day”

Sidi Hamza el Qadiri el Boutchichi

A Sufi Poem – Translation & Transliteration

THE DIWAN OF AL’ARIFEEN. The cup-drink of desire (KA’SU-L-HAWA)
Allah Allaah Allah <><>Allah ya Maaoulana<><>Allah Allaah Allah<><>Walfadhlu meena-LLaah (Chorus)
The cup (drink) of desire from the hands of my master made me drunk	Ka’su-l-hawaa min yadey Shaykhia aaaskarani
And in the seas of Unity has render me unconscious	Wafi bihaari-Ttaouhidi zada ghaayyabani
I was not aware that I was drunk until He woke me up.	Lam adri aanni sakirtu hatta aaayqadani
From astonishment and with The Arrival He delighted me	Mina-dduhuuli wa bilwusuli aaatrabani
I am your possession and your prisoner of love.	Ana lakuum mamlukun wa masjunuu hubbikum
Because your gathering (majlis)eliminates sadness	Li’anna maajlisakum mubidun leelhazani
The emotion has been moved and passion in you has increased	Taharrakaa-lwajdu wazdada-lgharaamu bikum
Until I departed (spiritually with passionate astonishment) from the beloved and the land	Hatta duheeltu ‘ani-l-ahbaabi waalwatani
To your remembrance the spirits trembles/shakes by (means of) dancing	Litzhikrikuum tahtazzu-l-arwahu raaqisatan
And overcome by desire of yearning to the Kind (GOD).	Wata’tareeha raghba shaouqan litzhee-lminani
How happy is he who approaches your quarter!	Faya sa’aadata man dana lihaayyekumu
And promises the Lord (Maoula-GOD) with sincerity in the Prophetic example (Sunna)	Wa’ahada-lmaoula bil’ikhlasi fee ssunani
How can he be damned or miserable (jaalis) a sitter in your (majlis) gathering?	Kayfa yashqaa jalisun dhammahu maajlisukum
And he became journeying to you (attending frequently) firm and with no weakness.	Fasara yaaqsidukum hazman bilaa wahani
I cannot be patient (to be distant) fromMadagh (the town where Sidi Hamza the living saint and master resides) for ever and ever	La sabra lee ‘an Madagha sarmadaan abadan
Because in it/it contains a very dear the beloved (Habib).	Li’anna feeeha Habiban ghaliyyaa-tthamani
I am a casualty of love as I am a yearner	Ana qateeelu-l-hawa li’annanee ‘ashiqun
O! inhabitants of Madagh be generous with the shroud/winding-sheet.	Ya sakineena Madagha judu bee-l-kafani
O! visitors of aiming at (spiritually) Madagh you have achieved the goal	Ya qasideeena Madagha niltumuuu-lwatara
If indeed your journey is (purely) to GOD the Generous.	In kanet heejratukum ila-Llaheee-Lmannani
O! My Lord surely the yearnings has disturbed my sleep	Rabbahu eenna-l’ashwaqa aqlaqaat madhja’I
And my soul is longing to Your Beautiful Face.	Washtaqat ruuhi nnadzhar liWajhikal Hasani
O! My Lord grant me the Arrival (Al-wusul) I am repentant	Rabbahu juud bil-wisali innaneee ta’ibun
I hope for nothing but You O! (Possessor) of the Vast Generosity.	La’artajeee siwaka ya Wasi’aaa-l-minani
O! The Chosen Prophet (Mustapha –blessings and peace of GOD be on him), O! Beloved of GOD (Habib-uLLAH) You are for us (our intercessor)	Ya Mustafa a ya Habiba-LLahi ‘Aaanta lana
How wonderful intercessor (The Prophet) you are) on the Day of horrors and troubles!	Ni’ma-Sshafee’u yaouma-l-ahwali waalfitani
O! My Lord bless him (The Prophet) as much as Your Love of him blessings and peace of GOD be on him)	Yarabbi Saalli aleyHe qadra huubbika leh
As well as All of him (The Prophet) Family (descendent) and Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein.	Wa’Alhee jami’an wal-Hussein waal-Hassani

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The Prophet and chanting of songs

Quran

Abu Hurayrah reported that GOD’s Messenger (…) said,” Whosoever does not chant the Quran is not one of us,” [Bukhari]

Al-Baraa bin Aazib related that GOD’s Messenger (…) said,” Adorn the Quran with your voices.” (Abu Dawud and Ahmad bin Hanbal]

Poems and chants in the Sunnah

A-Bara reported that GOD’s Messenger (blessings and peace of GOD be on him) carried earth on the Day of the Ditch [khandaq] until his stomach was
covered with dust, while he chanted these verses:

“By GOD, if not for Him we never would be guided, nor have been
charitable, nor have prayed. So send down peace and tranquillity upon us, and make the feet firm if we meet [our enemy]. Verily, the others rebelled against us. When they desired discord [fitnah] ,we refused, we refused.”
The Prophet (…) him) raised his voice with the refrain, “we refused, we refused.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]

Anas related that while digging the trench around Madinah, the emigrants (Muhajirun) and the helpers (Ansar) began chanting these verses:
“We are the ones who’ve pledged fealty to Muhammad (…); that we remain always constant in Islam.” The Prophet (…) replied in turn,” Oh GOD, there’s no good but the good of the Hereafter, so bless the Ansar and Muhajirun.”

In both of the above reports that Prophet (blessings and peace of GOD be on him) and the Companions sang in chorus.
The definition of Sunnah (Prophetic example) is the statement or action of the Messenger of GOD (…) or some thing done in front of him (…).