Why Did You Not Sing?
Mother of faithful believers, 'A'isha reported: I had a girl of the Ansar who I gave away in marriage. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: O 'A'isha! Why did you not sing, because this tribe of the Ansar loves songs. (Ibn Hibban)
Those Who Can Sing!
Ibn 'Abbas reported that (Sayyidatina) 'Aisha gave away a female relation of her from the Ansar in marriage. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) came and said, "Have you escorted the girl to her husband?" "Yes", was the reply. He asked, "Have you sent with her those who can sing?" "No", she replied. Then the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: "Verily, the Ansar are a people among whom there are songs. (It would have been better) if you had sent with her those who could have sung: To you we have come, to you we have come! So to us welcome and to you welcome!" (Ibn Majah) [Mishkat u'l Masabih, Book 2, Chapter 27, p. 654]
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The beloved Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) allowed two small Ansari girls to sing with musical instruments on the day of 'Eid as narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, This Hadith has been received from Sayyidatina 'A'isha Rady Allahu 'Anha who said Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Rady Allahu 'Anhu was also present at that time. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadith number 72, p. 38.]
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Love Songs
Al-Baraa
Ibn Malik Al-Ansari (RA) was a warrior of a great
calibre and also a poet from amongst the Sahaba.
Quote: "
In a narration where Anas Ibn Malik (RA) heard
him (Al Baraa(ra) his brother ) "Singing
Love Songs" with
his Bow, and he said to him: “How long
are you going to be like this?"
Al Baraa (RA) replied: “listen brother, I’ve killed 99 people on one on one combat, I am not going to die on my bed and you see my end is a good end." [210]
[210] Mussanaf ibn Abu Shaybah
[Islamic Books by Ibn Taymiyyah Maqdisi and Abdullah Azzam Paperback – 1 Jan 1901 by Abu Muhammad Maqdisi, Abdullah Azzam Ibn Taymiyyah (Author)]
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Almost a Muslim...
‘Amr bin Sharid reported his father as saying: “One day when I rode behind Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace), he said (to me), ‘Do you remember any poetry of Umayya bin Abi Salt?” I said, ‘Yes.’ He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Then go on.’ I recited a couplet, and he (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Go on.’ Then I again recited a couplet and he (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Go on.’ I recited one hundred couplets (of his poetry).” [Sahih Muslim]
In
another version, the Prophet (Allah bless him and
grant him peace) even mentioned that the poet, Umayya
bin Abi Salt, was “almost a Muslim in his
poetry”. [Sahih Muslim]
He (that is Umayya b. Abu Sharid was about to become a Muslim and in the hadith transmitted on the authority, of Ibn Mahdi (the words are)" He was almost a Muslim in his poetry." [Sahih Muslim,Book:28,Hadith:5602/3]
*In other words, he appreciated wholesome rhyme from someone who was not yet Muslim, but who was close to embracing Islam. This shows us that we are not restricted to religiously-themed poetry only, but anything that is pure-hearted and good, from anyone who is of a good-nature.
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Never Been Seen Before!
Narrated Syeduna Anas ibn Malik: ... The news that Allah's Prophet(s) had come circulated in Medina. The people came out and were eagerly looking and saying "Allah's Prophet has come! Allah's Prophet has come! So the Prophet(s) went on till he alighted near the house of Abu Ayub-al-Ansari....(Part of a longer hadith) [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58, Number 250]
Narrated Syeduna Anas ibn Malik: When the Apostle of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came to Medina, the Abyssinians played for his coming due to joy; they played with spears. [Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 41, Number 4905]
Narrated Syedna Al-Bara bin Azib: The first people who came to us (in Medina) were Mus`ab bin `Umar and Ibn Um Maktum who were teaching Qur'an to the people. Then their came Bilal. Sa`d and `Ammar bin Yasir. After that `Umar bin Al-Khattab came along with twenty other companions of the Prophet(s).
Later on the Prophet(s) himself (to Medina) and I had never seen the people of Medina so joyful as they were on the arrival of Allah's Apostle, for even the slave girls were saying, "Allah's Apostle has arrived!" And before his arrival I had read the Sura starting with:-- "Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High" (87.1) together with other Surahs of Al-Mufassal. [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 58, Number 262]
There was an atmosphere of celebration and festival in Medina, the like of which had never been seen before. People lined up on both sides of the road to welcome the coming of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam); Men, women and children joyously greeted the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). All the while, tambourines were being played and the following words were sung: Tala'al-Badru 'alayna, min thaniyyatil-Wada' wajaba al-shukru 'alayna, ma da'a lillahi da'…
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Anasheed (Songs) by Sahaba
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَاتِمُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ أَبِي عُبَيْدٍ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ، قَالَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى خَيْبَرَ فَسِرْنَا لَيْلاً، فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ لِعَامِرِ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ أَلاَ تُسْمِعُنَا مِنْ هُنَيْهَاتِكَ، قَالَ وَكَانَ عَامِرٌ رَجُلاً شَاعِرًا، فَنَزَلَ
Last Song of Amir bin Al-Aqwa(RA)
[Taken from Sahih Bukhari from its 8th Volume and Hadith No. 169]:
Salama bin Al-Aqwa narrated that We went out with Allah's Apostle (Sal-allahu-allehi-wasallam) to Khaibar and we travelled during the night. A man amongst the people said to 'Amir bin Al-Aqwa', "Won't you let us hear your poetry?" 'Amir was a poet, and so he got down and started (chanting Huda) reciting for the people, poetry that keep pace with the camel's foot steps, saying,
O Allah! Without You we would not have been guided on the right path, neither would we have given in charity nor would we have prayed, So please forgive us what we have committed, let all of us be sacrificed for Your cause and when we meet our enemy make our feet firm, and bestow peace and calmness on us, and if they (our enemy) will call us towards an unjust thing we will refuse, the infidels have made a hue and cry to ask others help against us.
Allah's Apostle (Sal-allahu-allehi-wasallam) said, "Who is that driver (of the camels)?" They said, "He is 'Amir bin Al-Aqwa."' He said, "May Allah bestow His mercy on him."
A man among the people said, Has Martyrdom been granted to him, O Allah's Prophet! Would that you let us enjoy his company longer."
--
The Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) on that asked, "Who is that (camel) driver (reciting poetry)?" The people said, "He is 'Amir bin Al-Akwa'". Then the Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: May Allah bestow His Mercy on him". *A man (1) among the people said, " O Allah's Prophet! (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam). Has (martyrdom) been granted to him? *Would that YOU LET us enjoy his company LONGER ". (Bukhari)
---(1): The man Sayyidina'Umar (RA)
---Sahih Bukhari, Vol.5, p. 357-359, Vol.8, Book 73, Hadith: 169, 6148, Book 78, Hadith: 174, Vol.5, Hadith: 509, Book: 64, Hadith: 4245, Sahih Muslim, Vol.3, Chapter 745.
---Kaab Bin Zuhair (رضی اللہ عنھ) recited 200-verses long Naat and on listening the verse “Verily the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) is noor, and noor is extracted from him, and he is among the sharp swords of Allah to defend Din.”, the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) became so happy that he threw his blanket (کملی) towards Kaab Bin Zuhair (رضی اللہ عنھ) as a prize [Tabrani , Bahaqi,Ibn-e-Hasham,Majma-u-Zawaid,Hakim Mustadrak]
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حدثنا عمرو الناقد وإسحاق بن إبراهيم وبن أبي عمر كلهم عن سفيان قال عمرو حدثنا سفيان بن عيينة عن الزهري عن سعيد عن أبي هريرة * ان عمر مر بحسان وهو ينشد الشعر في المسجد فلحظ إليه فقال قد كنت انشد وفيه من هو خير منك. (متفق عليه)
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Abū Hurairah narrates, “Umar once passed by Ḥassān who was saying poetry in the Masjid. He glanced angrily towards Ḥassān. Ḥassān responded, “I used to say poetry and in the Masjid there used to be one who is greater than you (meaning Nabi صلى الله عليه و سلم).” [al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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Sahabi Hassan Bin Thabit رضى الله عنه who was known to be skilled in reciting poetry in defence and praise of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم
Imam Muslim in his Sahih, mentioned a number of hadiths under the header “The Virtues Of Hassan Bin Thabit رضى الله عنه”.
The first two of the narrations are quoted below:
دَّثَنَا عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، قَالَ عَمْرٌو حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ، مَرَّ بِحَسَّانَ وَهُوَ يُنْشِدُ الشِّعْرَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَلَحَظَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ قَدْ كُنْتُ أُنْشِدُ وَفِيهِ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنْكَ . ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَى أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ فَقَالَ أَنْشُدُكَ اللَّهَ أَسَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ “ أَجِبْ عَنِّي اللَّهُمَّ أَيِّدْهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ ” . قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ نَعَمْ .
Abu Huraira reported that ‘Umar happened to pass by Hassan as he was reciting verses (i.e., poetry) in the mosque. He (Hadrat ‘Umar) looked towards him (meaningfully), whereupon he (Hassan) said: I used to recite (poetry) when one better than you (the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم) had been present (here). He then looked towards Abu Huraira and said to him: I adjure you by Allah (to tell) if you had not heard Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم as saying: (Hassan), give a reply on my behalf; Allah help him with Ruh-ul-Qudus (Gabriel). He (Abu Huraira) said: By Allah, it is so (i. e. the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم actually said these words).
حَدَّثَنَاهُ إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، وَعَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، أَنَّ حَسَّانَ، قَالَ فِي حَلْقَةٍ فِيهِمْ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ أَنْشُدُكَ اللَّهَ يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ أَسَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . فَذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ .
Ibn Musayyib reported that Hassan said to a circle in which there was also Abu Huraira: Abu Huraira, I adjure you by Allah (to tell) whether you-had not heard Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم saying like this.
Imam Nawawi in his commentary to Sahih Muslim, comments on these narrations:
قوله : ( إن حسان أنشد الشعر في المسجد بإذن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ) فيه جواز إنشاد الشعر في المسجد إذا كان مباحا ، واستحبابه إذا كان في ممادح الإسلام وأهله ، أو في هجاء الكفار والتحريض على قتالهم ، أو تحقيرهم ، ونحو ذلك وهكذا كان شعر حسان . وفيه استحباب الدعاء لمن قال شعرا من هذا النوع . وفيه جواز الانتصار من الكفار ، ويجوز أيضا من غيرهم بشرطه . وروح القدس جبريل صلى الله عليه وسلم .
Imam Nawawi here says that it is permissible to recite poetry in the masjid, and mustahabb (recommended/virtuous deed) if the recitation is in praise of Islam and its people.
Note:
Poetry was read in the masjid during the presence & life of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم as well as after.
Poetry was read in presence of a circle/gathering (as mentioned in the second narration) which included the prominent companion Abu Hurayra رضى الله عنه.
This was not just a permissible practice but a sunnah & rewarding deed when done in praise and defence of Islam, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم and the people of Islam.
It is mustahabb/recommended to make dua for those who recite such poetry, as mentioned by Imam Nawawi above.
The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم actively encouraged Hassan Bin Thabit رضى الله عنه as well others from the companions to recite such poetry, as seen in another following narration from Sahih Muslim where the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم sent for a number companions such Ibn Rawiha رضى الله عنه and Ka’b bin Malik رضى الله عنه to recite poetry in defence of Islam.
The Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم prayed and informed Hassan Bin Thabit رضى الله عنه that he was supported by Angel Jibril عليه السلام while in another narration that the Angel Jibril عليه السلام will continue to support him as long he continues to defend Allah and His Messenger.
Sharia has not limited this practice to any fixed form or fixed day and therefore does not prohibit such gathering on Rabi ul Awwal and on the day of the birth of our Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم
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Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Dinar: My father said, “I heard Ibn ‘Umar reciting the poetic verses of Abu Talib: And a white (person) (i.e. the Prophet) who is requested to pray for rain and who takes care of the orphans and is the guardian of widows. ”
Salim’s father (Ibn ‘Umar) said, “The following poetic verse occurred to my mind while I was looking at the face of the Prophet (s) while he was praying for rain. He did not get down till the rain water flowed profusely from every roof-g utter: And a white (person) who is requested to pray for rain and who takes care of the orphans and is the guardian of widows . . . And these were the words of Abu Talib.” [Sahih Bukhari: Book 2, Vol.17, Hadith 122]
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Sahaba(ra) who sang songs in praise of the Prophet(s)
1.
Abbas Bin Abdul Mutalab (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
2.
Hamza (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
3.
Abu Talib (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
4.
Abu Bakar (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
5.
Umar (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
6.
Usman (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
7.
Ali (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
8.
Fatima (رضی
اللہ عنھا)
9.
Safiya (رضی
اللہ عنھا)
10.
Abu Sufyan Bin Haris (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
11.
Abdullah Bin Rawaha (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
12.
Kaab Bin Malik (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
13.
Hassan Bin Thaabit (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
14.
Zuhair Al-Jashmi (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
15.
Umar Bin Malik (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
16.
Abbas Bin Marwas (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
17.
Kuwa Bin Hubaira (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
18.
Abu Uza (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
19.
Abdullah (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
20.
Bakr Bin Wail (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
21.
Malik Bin Mamt (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
22.
Umas Bin Zumaim (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
23.
Usaid Bin Salama (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
24.
Malik Bin Saad (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
25.
Qais Bin Bahd (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
26.
Umr Bin Subaih (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
27.
Kalab Bin Usaid (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
28.
Nabgha Jadi (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
29.
Nazm Bin Ghduma (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
30.
Al-Aamshi (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
31.
Fuzala (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
32.
Amr Bin Aqwa (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
33.
Amr Bin Salam (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
34.
Abbas Al-Sulmi (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
35.
Kaab Bin Zuhair (رضی
اللہ عنھ)
...
... ...
