Peace Be Upon You - Maher Zain

Maher Zain: Peace Be Upon You Download (UK |US) – Amazon

If I were ever asked to provide a list of beautiful nasheeds – this song would be included.

One of the unique things about Awakening Records is that they provide both music and vocal only versions of Maher Zain’s songs. There are differences of opinion regarding musical instruments in Islam, and this approach helps keep everyone happy!

As the title suggests the song is about the prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him), thanking him for what he did and sending blessings.

Many messengers have been sent down by Allah over time, in fact Allah sent a messenger to every nation:

“To every nation We sent a Messenger who told its people, “Worship God and stay away from satan.” Some of them were guided by God and others were doomed to go astray. Travel through the land and see how terrible was the end for those who rejected the truth!” (Quran 16:36)

Each messenger came with their own miracle, which varied depending on the people they were sent to, and time they were on the Earth.

Examples of miracles by the prophets

The prophet Moses (PBUH) came at a time when magic was popular. He performed greater magic than his people by splitting the sea and turning the staff into a snake.

The prophet Jesus (PBUH) came at a time when medicine was the craze. He healed the leper and brought people back from the dead, again out-performing his people.

The prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was the final messenger to be sent by Allah. He came to the Arabs, at a time when they were most proud of their language. He revealed the Quran, a book with many linguistic miracles. Many of those who heard the Quran became Muslim due to the poetic and linguistic nature of it alone, as they knew this revelation could not have come from a human.

Furthermore Muhammed (PBUH) was not only sent to the Arabs at that time, but he was the final messenger sent for everyone who came after him. The Quran also contains many prophecies and scientific facts that we are only beginning to discover today – this is our sign.

Following the way of the final messenger is our key to success, and this nasheed really helps us to reflect on his life.

Let us now present the lyrics to ‘Peace Be Upon You’, calling out references to Quran and Hadith.

UK | USA

Maher Zain – Peace Be Upon You Lyrics

There’s faith in my world
It comes back to your teachings and all your words – 1
From your life I have learnt
To be patient and caring at every turn – 2
The reason I’m strong
You’re where I belong
In a world spinning out of control
The reason for my pride
You are my guide
And I will always follow your way
Your way, your way, oh!

Chorus:
‘Alayka salla Allah O Muhammad
(May Allah’s salutations be upon you O Muhammad) – 3
Peace & blessings on you every day
‘Alayka salla Allah O Muhammad
You inspire me in every way
I promise that wherever I go
Whenever I pray
I’ll be sending you praise – 4
With the words that I say
Rasulallah (Messenger of Allah), O Muhammad
Peace & blessings on you every day

There’s light in my heart
Helps me find my way back when I’ve gone too far
When all my anger makes me blind
I remember you’re a mercy for all mankind
The reason I forgive as long as I live – 5
In a world spinning out of control
The reason I love, I’ll never give up
And I will always follow your way
Your way, your way, oh!

I know the only thing I want from this life
And it’s to follow all your footsteps to Paradise
So that’s the way I’m going to spend all my time
Yes I swear, by Allah I swear!

Links to Quran / Hadith

1 There’s faith in my world. It comes back to your teachings and all your words

The prophet taught us to have faith, but having faith isn’t just believing in your mind. We are taught to show faith through actions and character:

“The Prophet said, “None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.”” (Bukhari, Book of Beliefs 2:13)

2 To be patient and caring at every turn

He taught us to be patient:

“Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by a woman who was weeping beside a grave. He told her to fear Allah and be patient. She said to him, “Go away, for you have not been afflicted with a calamity like mine.” And she did not recognize him. Then she was informed that he was the Prophet. So she went to the house of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and there she did not find any guard. Then she said to him, “I did not recognize you.” He said, “Verily, the patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.”” (Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 23 Hadith 372)

3 ‘Alayka salla Allah O Muhammad (May Allah’s salutations be upon you O Muhammad)

We are asked by Allah to send blessings on the prophet:

“Allah sends His Salât (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet (Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)) and also His angels (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salât on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. As¬Salâmu ‘Alaikum)” (Quran 33:56)

4 Whenever I pray, I’ll be sending you praise

Sending blessing upon the Prophet not only benefits him, but also us. Hence why we send blessing upon him during the final part of the prayer.

“The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him tenfold”” (Narrated by an-Nasaa’i 1297)

5 The reason I forgive as long as I live

A group of people once threw stones at the prophet, and drove him out of their city. The angel came to him and asked if he wanted them to be crushed between mountains. The prophet replied with:

“No! For, I hope that God will bring forth from their loins people who will worship God alone, associating nothing with Him.” (Saheeh Muslim)

Final Thoughts

We need more like this!

Tracks like this help us reflect on Islam, recall stories from the past and promote good. Not only are the lyrics meaningful but the track is produced really well – both instrumental and vocal versions.

My rating can be found below. You may leave your rating using the star system under mine. Feel free to comment – do you prefer the instrumental version or voice only?

Lyrics: 9/10
Vocals: 10/10
Production: 10/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
References & Reflection: 9/10