Praise of the Prophet: Shelter for the Fearful
By the poet Al-Busiri:
Praise the Prophet, the refuge for the fearful and anxious,
So, whether you recite spontaneously or with prepared words,
Do not dwell on lands or ruins,
Nor linger near empty homesteads or ruins.
Describe the beauty of God’s beloved with clarity,
For in such description lies the essence of excellence and eloquence.
His two sweet basil-like flowers are from the blooming
Of the radiant flower, Fatimah,
The best of women and the kin of Imam Ali.
When I commend someone from his lineage,
That person is linked to my praise of the Master of Messengers.
Muhammad, the best of messengers, witnessed
That by his virtue, the prophets of the earlier ages bore witness.
No beauty surpasses his in form and character,
And his love for every creation remains steadfast.
Embrace the practices of the righteous traditions,
For therein lies healing for confusion and bewilderment.
And elevate your thoughts in the gardens of their ideas.
He Who Sent Prophet Muhammad
By the poet Jarir:
Indeed, He who sent the Prophet Muhammad
Established the caliphate in an upstanding leader.
And certainly, you have benefited from what you have withheld out of caution,
Regarding the collection of taxes upon the bridges of the coast.
Your justice has reached those residing in our land,
To you turns the needs of every visiting delegation.
I hope for good from you soon,
As the soul is innately drawn to immediate fulfillment.
And God has ordained in the scripture a duty
For the wayfarer and the supporting poor.
Born is the Guide, the Universe’s Radiance
Ahmad Shawqi extols the Prophet:
The Guide was born, bringing light to the universe,
And the mouth of time smiled in admiration.
The soul and the assembly of angels surround him,
Bringing glad tidings for religion and world alike.
And the Throne adorns itself while the sacred grove flourishes,
While the furthermost point and the lofty Lote-Tree resplend.
The garden of discernment shines with brilliance,
And the revelation drips like a precious nectar.
The tablet and the exquisite pen find themselves reborn,
The names of the messengers inscribed as a scroll,
And in it the name Muhammad stands out, majestic.
The name of majesty, uniquely distinguished in its letters,
The letter ‘A’ stands out, and the letter ‘B’ follows,
O best of those who have graced existence, greetings come to you
From the messengers sent to guide towards you,
The realm of the Prophets where none but the righteous gather,
The noblest of lineages that Adam bestowed upon them,
Surpassing mankind while Eve secured their honor.
They recognized the glory of prophecy, thus it culminated
In you, to whom nobility belongs in full measure.
Created for your community, while it was made for you,
Indeed, the greatest are worthy of greatness as conferred by the Almighty.
In you, Heaven celebrated and adorned itself,
And the earth exhaled a fragrance, graced by you.
And your visage shone with a radiance,
A shining beauty that brought forth guidance and honor.
In the brilliance of prophecy is a remarkable glow,
As from the beloved, His guidance is evident.
The Messiah praised him above heaven’s domains,
And the Virgin Mary rejoiced,
A day that brightens time with its morning light,
And its evening glows with Muhammad’s presence.
Truth rises high, anchored in its victory,
In kingship, no banner surpasses.
The thrones of the unjust trembled and shook,
While echoes of their crowns faded.
The fires lie vacant around them,
Extinguished their flares while the waters receded.
And verses poured forth, with miracles in abundance,
Gabriel, the bringer of light, illuminates with divine gifts.
Indeed, the orphan flourishes under the shade of his grace,
And orphanhood is but a destiny bearing fortune and brilliance.
In the cradle, life’s joy is nourished by his anticipation,
And through his intent, adversities are repelled.
Aside from honesty in youth and truthfulness, no one
Knows of him but the upright and the righteous.
O you, whose virtues are revered among the highest,
They long for such graces.
If you had not established a religion, it would have stood alone,
A faith that illuminates time with its light.
Great qualities adorn you in magnificent ways,
Even noble people aspire to emulate them.
As for beauty, you are the sun of its skies,
And the charm of the virtuous gleams from you.
And the beauty of noble faces reflects your kindness,
A gift surpassing those of great leaders and guides.
When you exhibit generosity, you reach the pinnacle of giving,
And action surpassing what the winds can bring.
O Family of the Messenger of God, Your Love
By Imam Al-Shafi’i:
O Family of the Messenger of God, your love is
An obligation from God in the Quran that He revealed.
For you, the great pride is that you
Have no prayer for those who do not invoke you.
And More Beautiful Than You, My Eyes Have Never Seen
By the Prophet’s poet, Hassan bin Thabit:
And more beautiful than you, my eyes have never seen,
And more handsome than you, no woman has ever given birth to.
You were created free of any faults,
As if you were crafted precisely as desired.
Through the Praise of the Chosen One, Hearts Thrive
By the poet Al-Busiri:
Through the praise of the Chosen One, hearts come to life,
And sins and misdeeds are forgiven.
I hope to live happily through him,
And meet him without a burden upon me.
A prophet, perfect in every virtue,
His commendable traits earned him the title of beloved.
The remembrance of him alleviates our calamities,
Whenever tribulations besiege us.
His praises increase the heart’s longing,
Just as precious adornments and aromatic scents do.
And I remember him when the night of calamity is darkened,
For from it, tribulations clear away from my path.
I described some of his qualities, beautiful and lofty,
Yet I cannot tell whether I am praising or expressing my lineage.
And who could behold his radiant face,
That brings joy to the weary heart?
His speech is like the bloom of fragrant flowers,
And the bearer of this floral message is a lush branch.
With one glance at his face I become enchanted,
And my heart longs for his remembrance.
He has taken a distinguished position,
And there is no traitor or spy in that realm.
His noble stature knows no equals in the world,
No human or angel can partake in it.
A generous heart contains what the universe cannot,
Within that expanse resides the heart’s boundlessness.
How Do You Achieve the Rank of Prophets?
By the poet Al-Busiri:
How do you reach the status of the prophets,
O sky that no other sky can compare to?
None can match your elevation, for they’ve
Only been a fragment of you compared to your splendor.
They merely represent your attributes for the mere
Reflection, just as the stars reflect in water.
You are the lamp of all virtues; how cannot
Lights be guided save for your illumination?
You hold the essence of wisdom from the unseen,
And by you, every name was given to Adam.
For all epochs have proclaimed your arrival,
And the prophets have pre-announced your coming.
Generations are proud of you and rise high,
With superior heights attained from you.
A noble heritage, with lineage revered,
Above them shine the stars, marking their worth.
How delightful is the necklace of leadership and pride,
In which you are the unique gem.
Your visage is luminous as the sun,
Shining forth from a night of radiant brightness.
On the night of your birth, a day of glee,
Happiness and joy emerged from its dawn.
News echoed of the great tidings that
The Chosen One was born, worthy of happiness.
The masonry of Khosrow collapsed, had it not
Been for a sign from you, the structure might have endured.
Every household was to the brink of despair,
Becoming engulfed in misery and calamity.
For Ahmad in Remembrance, a Magnificent Description
By the poet Makzoon Al-Sinjari:
For Ahmad, in remembrance, there is a magnificent description,
He is a messenger, a prophet, compassionate and merciful.
A witness, a herald, a shining lamp,
All-hearing, all-seeing, knowledgeable and wise.
A warning, a savior, a devoted ally.
A clear book, strong and trustworthy,
A secure place, a straight path,
Grateful, patient, dignified, and noble.
Praised and glorious, forgiving and gentle.