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Abdal Hakim Murad’s Sacred Poetic Work

Timothy John Winter, better known as Abdal Hakim Murad, is a well-known British professor, theologian, and Islamic scholar. He was born on 15 May 1960. Murad is the artist and architect’s son.In 1979 he converted to Islam. After attending Westminster School, he went on to Pembroke College in Cambridge, where he earned a double-first in Arabic in 1983. He continued his education at Al Azhar University in Cairo after that, but he left without receiving a diploma. Additionally, he has studied privately in Yemen and Saudi Arabia with certain academics. He attended the University of London to study Turkish and Persian after coming back to England. His doctoral dissertation, “An assessment of Islamic-Christian dichotomies in the light of Scriptural Reasoning,” which he got in 2015 from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, is under embargo until 2050. For his contributions to Islamic philosophy, spirituality, and interfaith understanding, he is well known. Murad is the Director of Studies in Theology at Wolfsan College in addition to being a lecturer at the University of Cambridge. In addition, he founded and serves as dean of the Cambridge Muslim College, a school that develops Islamic academics and civic leaders.

He is the Founder and Dean of the Cambridge Muslim College,^[^1] Aziz Foundation Professor of Islamic Studies at both Cambridge Muslim College and Ebrahim College,^[^2] Director of Studies (Theology and Religious Studies) at Wolfsan College ^[^3]^[^4] and the Sheikh Zayed Lecturer of Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Divinity at University of Cambridge.^[^5]^[^6]⁷^]^.

“In 2008 he started the Cambridge Mosque Project which raised money for the construction of a purpose-built mosque. The Cambridge Central Mosque opened on 24 April 2019 as the first purpose-built Mosque in Cambridge, and the first eco-mosque in Europe.”[8]

Murad has written many books and articles about many facets of Islam, such as spirituality, theology, and current problems that the Muslim world faces. His writings frequently center on how conventional Islamic beliefs interact with contemporary issues. He has translated a number of famous Islamic writings into English in his capacity as a translator. In “Travelling Home: Essays on Islam in Europe,” one of his best-known publications, he examines the social and spiritual difficulties that Muslims in the West face. Murad is renowned for his intelligent lectures and public discussions on a variety of subjects pertaining to Islam and modern culture.

Introduction poetic work of Abdal Hakim Murad:

Muslim Songs of the British Isles:

This piece is a creative compilation of nasheeds, or Islamic melodies, in the English language that relate to the Muslim community residing in the British Isles. These songs were written by Abdal Hakim Murad to capture the social and spiritual realities of British Muslims. The Muslim sacred songs create a distinctive combination that speaks to the identity of Muslims in the West by fusing traditional Islamic themes with melodies that are derived from both Islamic and Western musical traditions.

Together these works demonstrate Abdal Hakim Murad’s profound interest in Islamic spirituality his intellectual curiosity, and his inventiveness in reinterpreting Islamic traditions for modern readers. This book consists of 32 pages and was published under the publisher Quilliam Press Ltd. on June 2, 2005.

He says :

In God’s full time that promised seer

Jerusalem’s old mount came near

Where Moses, Abraham,Jeseos dear

The word of God from him did hear

He led them all fervent prayer

Then Gabriel by, heaven‘s stair

Did led him to that mansion rare

Beyond which angels may not dare, P.9

The poem portrays with graphic lyric details that tell us how the Prophet led these holy figures in prayer, demonstrating his leadership within the prophetic lineage. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reached the highest spiritual realms during the journey of Mi’raj from earth to sky under the guidance of the angel Gabriel. The Prophet’s exceptional intimacy with Allah is presented by the imagery of the place of Sidra Tul Muntaha, which is a sacred place beyond which angels may not go, but our holy Prophet (pbuh) reached and met Allah Almighty.

Turkish sacred songs:

This book examines the rich legacy of “Turkish sacred songs”, which is intricately linked to Turkish Muslims’ spiritual traditions. Abdal Hakim Murad explores the spiritual and historical meaning of these songs, which are frequently sung as a component of Sufi ceremonies. The themes, formats, and objectives of these holy songs are probably covered in the book, offering insights into their significance in Turkish Islamic culture.

Turkish sacred songs are noted for their melodic and lyrical beauty, which aims to induce a sense of spiritual ecstasy and closeness to God. These songs are frequently recited and played at Sufi gatherings also in Dhikr rituals .Abdal Hakim Murad’s research, which traces the songs’ roots in the Islamic mystical tradition and looks at how they have been kept and modified over centuries. He probably provides insights on the beginnings and evolution of these songs in his book.

After reading this book, our investigation into Turkish religious music might also draw attention to the complex interplay in Islamic spirituality and music. In this book, Murad discusses the particular lyrical forms of musical arrangements and instruments that are essential to these hallowed songs.Abdal Hakim Murad provides readers with an understanding of the tremendous spiritual value of this musical tradition through Turkish sacred song. His writings probably function as both scholarly research and a devotional manual, providing valuable insight for individuals who have an interest in Sufism, Islamic music, and Turkey’s spiritual legacy. This book consists of 44 pages and was published under the publisher Muslim Academic Trust in 2015.

Here I mention few couplets from his book,

Second songs the silver streams of paradise:

The Angels of Allah all raise,

Their voices with his endless praise,

Tasbih and Hamad and shuker always,

So sing with them Allah,Allahp.5

“The silver streams of paradise, the second songs”This verse describes a scene in heaven when angels sing together, giving thanks to Allah with Shukr (thankfulness), Hamad (praise), and Tasbih (glorification). The image of the “silver streams of paradise” is calm and ethereal, alluded to as the purity and splendor of the celestial spheres. “Sing with them, Allah, Allah” invites the reader to join angels in a cosmic chorus of adoration, signifying the worship of oneness throughout creation. This poem emphasizes the Islamic view that all creatures, whether in heaven and on earth, constantly and universally exalt Allah Almighty.

Bird of the soul:

Singing in the cage,

Breaths oh HU our hearts engage,

Things are a bluff, Allah is enough!p24

“The Soul’s Bird”The metaphorical “Bird of the Soul” represents the human spirit, which, while being imprisoned in the cage” of the body, longs for heavenly communion. Breaths with the voice of “HU, “our hearts engage, is a reference to the Sufi tradition’s mystical invocation of zikar HU, one of God’s names that symbolizes the essence of the Divine. The Sufi belief that earthly attachments and material worries are ultimately illusions and that true contentment can only be found in the zakr of God that is encapsulated in the whole universe. These things are understood by Muslims as saying that Allah is enough for his creation.

The full moon rises:

Ah ! tala a’l badru, alayna

The full moon rises upon us

From the valley of Wada

So our hearts owe God thankfulness

For as long as preachers call p.3

This stanza alludes to the well-known Islamic poetry of Naat, “Tala‘a al-Badru ‘Alayna” (“The full moon rises upon us”). In Muslim history, which was chanted by the Medians’ girls upon the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in their city following the Hijra. A potent representation of the Prophet’s presence in Madina as the full moon offers illumination all over the earth. The reference to the “valley of Wada” links this occasion to a particular location that has historical significance in Islamic history. The Naat ends with a prayer of thanksgiving to God that highlights the pivotal role of the Prophet (pbuh).

Al-Hamdiyya:

The Al-Hamdiyya is Abdal Hakim Murad’s litany of praises for the Allah Almighty. The rich, thoughtful language used in “Alhamidiya”‘s subject blends classic Islamic themes with a contemporary sensibility. Sufi symbolism, references to traditional Islamic poetry, and the larger cultural legacy of Islamic civilization might all be found in the work. Murad’s meticulous focus on these hymns guarantees that they are not only aesthetically attractive but also spiritually uplifting.

Alhamidiya is an endeavor to revitalize and conserve the legacy of Islamic sacred music, especially in light of the fact that in the modern world, Muslims all over the world can find inspiration and comfort in these kinds of religious manifestations.

The Mantle Adorned:

Translated into English by Abdal Hakim Murad, “The Mantle Adorned” is a rendition of Imam al-Busiri’s “Qasida al-Burda,” one of the most well-known poems in Islamic literature. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the subject of this qasida, or ode, which is highly regarded in the Muslim community. A wider audience can now enjoy this classic work thanks to Murad’s translation, which is renowned for its poetic elegance in English and faithfulness to the original Arabic.

The Qasida al-Burda, penned by the 13th-century Sufi poet Imam al-Busiri, is one of the most well-known poems in Islamic history. Abdal Hakim Murad translated it into English and called it The Mantle Adorned.

Murad’s translation of The Mantle Adorned makes the poem comprehensible to English-speaking readers while preserving the spirit of al-Busiri’s original Arabic. His rendition is renowned for maintaining the original text’s rhythm and rhyme beauty, which have contributed to the Qasida al-Burda’s enduring status as a classic work of Islamic literature.This book consists of 180 pages and was published under the publisher Quilliam Press Ltd.

Translation example:

Stop at the halting places

Near Mecca’s holy places,

Seek our the Prophet ‘traces

With dust anoint your cheek,p17

This passage presents up the picture of a pilgrim making their way to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, and stopping at important locations en route. The term “halting places” describes the customary rest pauses that pilgrims make along the way, which are frequently rich in spiritual meaning. The poem emphasizes the value of connecting with the Prophet’s legacy and following his example by asking the reader to “seek out the Prophet’s traces.” The phrase “dust anoints your cheek” refers to a humble and devotional act in which the traveler touches the ground, either physically or figuratively, to show a strong bond with the Prophet’s presence and the holy country.

Abdal Hakim Murad’s translation of these lines in The Mantle Adorned preserves its poetic beauty and spiritual intensity, relevant to both the pious and others who are curious about the depths of Islamic devotion. The passages you shared from Abdal Hakim Murad’s “The Mantle Adorned “capture the profound spiritual themes and devotional vibe that run throughout this piece. Every chapter presents a different angle on the depth of Islamic devotion and the close relationship that exists between the believer and the Allah Almighty and the natural world.

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