A Nasheed is a work of vocal music that is either sung acapella or with instruments, according to a particular style or tradition within Islam.
In the Islamic world, Nasheed is popular. The reason for its popularity is that it contains references to Islamic history, and beliefs. Nasheed can also be related to current events.
Where can you listen Nasheeds?
Muslim & Quran Pro is an Islamic App for iOS and Android users, which you can use for different tasks such as referring to accurate prayer timings, locations of mosques and halal food places in foreign countries. This app also includes a plethora of Anasheed and other Qurani Duain, Ayats and Ahadith available for the Muslim umma. There are a lot of Nasheed performers on Muslim Pro. Amongst them, Ismail Hussain has gained worldwide popularity.
Are Musical Instruments Permitted in Nasheed?
While most Islamic scholars argue that ahadith explicitly forbid the use of musical instruments in Islam, the legitimacy and use of musical instruments have been debated by the founders of all four major religions– Islamic schools of thought – as well as many other prominent scholars.
For example, the Hanafi school of thought, associated with the scholar Abu Hanifa, holds that if a person is known to play musical instruments to distract people from God, their testimony should not be accepted. Music is not permitted.
However, one instrument is allowed to be used when singing Nasheed, and that is a Daff. It is normally played on special occasions such as the two Eids, weddings, and celebrating a respected traveller’s arrival.
Importance of Nasheed in Islam
The Nasheed is known to be very popular in the Muslim world.
That’s why, when one searches for Nasheed on the Internet, it can be found in numerous languages. Some of them include Arabic, English, Farsi, Punjabi, and Urdu.
The lyrics of a Nasheed cover several subjects related to Islam. These include mentioning the praises of Allah, His Messenger Muhammad (PBUH), to discussing Islamic beliefs, history, and the current affairs of Muslims.
Nasheed plays a vital role in the upliftment of Iman in Muslims, especially Gen Z as they are the victims of various worldly distractions. These worldly distractions thanks to technological revolution are driving them away, causing them to spend little or no time in studying their religion, Islam.
The Muslims say that they find Anasheed critical to the advancement of their Islamic beliefs and faith. The primary goal of Nasheed is to give the message of Islam in the world. Nasheed is popular because mankind understands things better in a musical form. That’s the reason Nasheed conquers the minds and souls of many people.
Nasheed’s soulful music has not only attracted Muslims belonging to distinct nationalities with unique cultures, racial backgrounds, and different traditional values but has also succeeded in spreading Islamic teachings around the world.
What is the Nasheed About?
The most well-known and commonly sung Anasheed are those in praise of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
They are crucial for the upcoming Muslim generation from the viewpoint that it conveys the characteristics of our Prophet so that one can try to implement them in his daily life. Anasheed are the melodies sung in the honor of our Prophet and to teach the Muslims all over the world about his noble traits and how he interacted with relatives, friends, and his enemies. The Muslims learn a lot from Anasheed, that how we have to live and how we can make our Allah happy?
Most of the Anasheed are sung to spread awareness against unfairness and cruelty, which is one of Islam’s highly significant values and teachings, which states, “O who you believe, stand firm for justice even against yourselves.” This verse is taken from the Surah Al-Nisa.
What was the First Nasheed?
The first ever Nasheed in the Islamic history is the Talaʽ al-Badru ʽAlaynā (Arabic: طلع البدر علينا). It is amongst the oldest Islamic poems, that were sung to welcome Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) while entering Medina. The sources say that the first time this Nasheed was sung, when Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was forced to leave his hometown Mecca for migration to Medina. The reason for his expel was the preaching of Islam to non-Muslims.
Another school of thought disagrees to the above-mentioned history by highlighting that its second line reads “From the valley of Wada”. The valley of Wada was where people went to give farewell to their nears and dears who were traveling. It is situated to the north of Medina, whereas Mecca is due south of Medina.
Also, during the migration, the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) reached Quba first, which faces south of Medina. This difference in location has caused some to believe that the first Nasheed originates from the time of the Hijrah.
Lyrics of Nasheed Talaʽ al-Badru ʽAlaynā
The Nasheed o course was in the Arabic language, and the songwriters were the Ansars.
طلع البدر علينا
The full moon rose over us
من ثنيات الوداع
From the valley of Wada‘
وجب الشكر علينا
And it is incumbent upon us to show gratitude
ما دعا للـه داع
For as long as anyone in existence calls out to Allah
أيها المبعوث فينا
Oh our Messenger amongst us
جئت ﺑﺎلأمر المطاع
Who comes with the exhortations to be heeded
جئت شرفت المدينة
You have brought to this city nobility
مرحبا يا خير داع
Welcome you who call us to a good way
Takeaway – First Ever Nasheed of Islam
Irrespective of the fact that music is strictly prohibited in Islam, the Anasheed is still popular in the Muslim world. Muslims around the world find Anasheed soothing and consider it important for the advancement of their Islamic beliefs and faith. The first-ever Nasheed, Talaʽ al-Badru ʽAlaynā, sung for our Prophet while entering Medina, has gained popularity in the Muslim ummah.
Author Bio:
Rafia Tahir provides guest-blogging and copywriting services. Her educational background in the technical field and business studies helps her in tackling topics ranging from career and business productivity to web development and digital marketing. She is a certified Quran Scholar and she occasionally writes articles for Muslim And Quran.
