Literature of Naat : International Research Perspective…..
A Pioneering Contribution to Naat Studies.
Naat, or devotional poetry in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), emerges from the highest degree of love, which constitutes a fundamental bond within Islamic teachings. Allah (SWT) loves His servant on the condition that the servant follows Allah’s Prophet (ﷺ) in both letter and spirit. This principle is clearly stated in Verse 31 of Surah Aal-e-Imran[3]:
“Say (O Muhammad): If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”
(Translation: The Final Revelation, Houston, Texas)
This divine command implicitly emphasizes love for the Prophet (ﷺ), for practical obedience and true following are inconceivable without sincere love for him (ﷺ).
There is a well-known tradition of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) in this regard, wherein he states:
“By Him in Whose Hand is my life, none of you truly believes until I become dearer to him than his father and his progeny.”
(Tradition No. 14)
In another narration, it is further added:
“…than his father, his progeny, and all mankind.”
(Tradition No. 15; Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, Farid Book Stall, Lahore, p. 118)
The ever-ascending eminence of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is also proclaimed in the Holy Qur’an:
“And We have elevated your remembrance for your sake.”
(Surah Alam Nashrah 94:4)
(Translation: Kanz-ul-Iman, Mufti Abdul Nabi Hamidi, South Africa)
The centuries-long tradition of praising the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) stands as clear evidence of the gradual elevation of his name throughout history. This recognition is not limited to Muslim scholarship alone. Notably, the non-Muslim historian Michael H. Hart ranked the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) first among the most influential personalities in world history. He justifies this ranking as follows:
“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels.”
(Michael H. Hart, The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, p. 3)
The history of devotional poetry in praise of the Prophet (ﷺ) further reflects the remarkable fact that even nearly a thousand years before his physical advent, the Yemeni king Tubba‘ Himyari (385–420 CE) composed couplets paying tribute to the Prophet (ﷺ) yet to appear in the world.
(Dr. Aziz Ahsan, Excellence of Na’at, Naat Research Centre, Karachi, 2021, p. 116)
In this context, the scholarly endeavor of Shumaila Munib to explore English poetic expressions and critical writings related to Naat is highly commendable. Research-based Na‘atia literature in English is extremely scarce, and this pioneering effort may rightly be regarded as one of the first significant undertakings in this domain.
The research articles of scholars presented here are known for their endeavors to spreading awareness of Naat among English-knowing Muslims, deserve particular mention, including: Andrey Rosowsky, Nicholas Boylston, Muhammad Talhah Ajmain, Jimaain Safar Ahmad Kilani Mohamed, Miftachul Huda, Juritah Misman, Nur Fatin Nabila Abd Rahman, Muhammad Taufik Md. Sharipp, Nik Narimah Nik Abdullah, Megawati Soekarno, Hafizoah Kassim, Dr. Saleem Ullah Jundran, Salahuddin Mohd. Shamsuddin, Muhammad Abu Bakar, Muhammad Mumtaz Khan, Dr. Mohammad Aasif, Dr. Razia Majeed, Dr. Tahir Abbas Tayib, Dr. Aqsa Sajid, Khalil Mohammed Usman, Lawal Rahman and Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse.
These radiant names in the sacred genre of Naat have introduced a wide range of themes and promoted Na‘atia literature across multiple linguistic contexts. Their scholarly efforts extend beyond composition to include the live recitation of Naat before audiences, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Shumaila Munib has aptly articulated the importance of Na‘atia poetry in the following words:
“The tradition of Naat is not merely a literary or cultural expression in its origin; rather, it is a spiritual and religious reality derived from the clear teachings of the Holy Qur’an. In numerous places,Allah Almighty describes the greatness, dignity, morals, character and exalted status of His beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a most sublime manner.”
She further clarifies the purpose of compiling this treatise:
“The purpose of compiling this collection is to offer an intellectual invitation to promote Naat within English literature, thereby enabling the modern academic world to recognize this eternal axis of love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
The significance of discourse has also been shown by an author of essay, as follows:
“The discourse of Naat is a sanctified one, with Urdu or H-Punjabi traditionally suffused with Arabic and Persian vocabulary, and with a form hallowed by tradition and a discipline associated with poetic style and normative conventions of recitation and performance.”
The book addresses both creative and presentational aspects of Naat in various languages, with a particular focus on promoting awareness of religiously inspired poetry among the younger generation. Each essay included in this volume reflects profound scholarship and deep, heartfelt devotion to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
I wholeheartedly welcome this book and warmly applaud the scholarly efforts of its compiler, Shumaila Munib. It is my hope that this treatise will significantly broaden intellectual horizons and enhance global understanding of the rich and sacred tradition of Naat.
Dr. Aziz Ahsan
Director of Naat Research Center, Karachi , Pakistan
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