The Mainstay : Arabic / English, New,
A Complete Commentary on the Qasidah Burdah,
*[A5] Hardback with Dustjacket - 344 pages,
Qasidah al-Burdah by Imam al-Busiri,
Commentary by: Shaykh Ahmad ibn 'Ajiba,
English transl. by: Abdul Aziz Suraqah,
Foreword by: Abdal Hakim Murad,
Published by: Abu Zahra Press, UK.



Description :


The First-Ever Complete English Commentary on Islam's Most Famous Poem :


Ever since its composition in the seventh Islamic century, by the poet, scholar and spiritual master Muhammad b. Saʿid al-Busiri, al-Kawakib al-durriyya fi madh Khayr al-Bariyya (‘The Celestial Lights in Praise of the Best of Creation’), more commonly known as the Burda, has been a mainstay of the Muslim choral tradition from East to West. It is the quintessence of devotional praise and expression of passionate love for the Prophet, may Allah bless him and give peace, for both the expert and layman. It adorns architecture throughout the Muslim lands and also found a place on the walls of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina.



Dozens of commentaries and glosses on the poem have been written, by such luminaries as Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, ʿAli al-Qari, al-Bajuri and Shaykh-Zadah, may Allah be pleased with them all. This indicates its widespread acceptance within the mainstream Muslim scholarly tradition and unquestionably dispels the doubts that some have raised about the poem’s content. While a plethora of material exists in Arabic, Urdu and Persian, no complete commentary on the Burda has hitherto been written in or translated into English.



Inspired by this rich heritage of his predecessors, Shaykh Ibn ʿAjiba d.1224 AH [1809 CE] in al-ʿUmda fi Sharh al-Burda (‘The Mainstay : a Commentary on Qasida al-Burda’) beautifully elaborates on the poem taking the reader to the heart of the author. He comprehensively explains the meanings of each couplet and gleans beneficial spiritual lessons from it. For every reference in the Burda to events in the Prophet’s life, the author cites the primary texts that mention them and offers valuable details and enlightening clarifications of areas of possible confusion. It further offers the reader beautiful imagery and aesthetic refinement that perfectly complement al-Busiri’s ode.




Table of Contents :


---Foreword,
---Preface,

---Biography of Shaykh Ahmad ibn 'Ajiba al-Hasani,
---Biography of Imam Abu 'AbdAllah Muhammad b. Sa'id al-Busiri.

---Author's Introduction,

---Chapter [1]. Nostalgic Rhapsody and Love Complaint,

---Chapter [2]. Warnings about the Caprices of the Ego,

---Chapter [3]. Praise of the Prophet, may Allah bless him & grant him peace,

---Chapter [4]. The Prophet's Birth, may Allah bless him & grant him peace,

---Chapter [5]. The Prophet's, may Allah bless him & grant him peace, Miracles,

---Chapter [6]. The Nobility of the Qur'an and It's Merit,

---Chapter [7]. The Prophet's Miraculous Night Journey and Celestial Ascension,

---Chapter [8]. The Prophet's, may Allah bless him & grant him peace, Jihad,

---Chapter [9]. Seeking Intercession through the Prophet, may Allah bless him & grant him peace,

---Chapter [10]. Intimate Discourse and the Petition of Needs.


---Bibliography.


 

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*Dimensions : 160 x 240 x 32 mm