Qasida Burda Sharief

The Qasida-I-Burda, of the Sheet, is also known as Meemia, because of the use of meem  throughout its qafia on the ending word. Its author Ash-Sheikh Sherfud Din Muhammad was born at Busir (Egypt) in 608 A.H (1213 AD). He was a prolific panegyrist and composed many eulogies. However, his everlasting fame rusts on this Qasida which according to late M. Ayub Mohsin has been rendered in Latin, German, French, English (1893) Tartari, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Saraiki and Punjabi.
The Qasida translated into English recently by Muhammad Hamid is a genuine effort in as much as it is very close to the original text.

(Nadeem Ahmed Khan)

Qasida Burdah Sharief

Ash-Sheikh Sherfud Din Muhammad

• Have you been overtaken by the memory of the Zi Salam neighbourhood. Tears of blood are overflowing from your eyes every moment.
• Has the morning breeze brought a message from the direction of Kazima. Has the lighting leaped in the midst of dark night from the mountains of Idham.
  
• What has happened to your tear flowing eyes? Why is your heart being eaten away by such a grief.
  
• You have a vain hope that love shall remain hidden. Whereas your burning heart and the wet overflowing eyes are witness to a different story.
  
• If you were not struck by love, you would not have wept in desolate places. You would not have spent sleepless nights listening to the sad tunes of Ban and Alam.
  
• It is not possible for you to deny the existence of love. Your countenance and your tears act as strong and reliable witnesses.
  
• The streaks of tears and your weak disposition have proved your being in love. The red tears flow on the pale face.
  
• Yes: I have waked through the night thinking about the sweet memories of love. Love strikes you and changes mirth into sad and melancholy moments.
  
• O ye who admonish me: Please accept my apologies for refusing your advice about my love. If you have any sense of justice do not afflict me like that.
  
• Even my enemies are quite aware of my secret afflictions apart from you. My pain cannot be lessened any way.
  
• The advice was quite in earnest, but how could I listen to that. The advice would fall but on deaf ears.
  
• The old age advised me but I did not pay any heed to that. There cannot be any accusation of vested interest in old age.
  
• My satanic self (ego) did not accept the advice. Even though the advice of elderly age was most sincere.
  
• I did not entertain the old age with good deeds. It arrived on me all of a sudden and I did not observe the right protocol for it.
  
• Had I known that I could not receive this guest in a graceful manner, I would have hidden the witnesses of my hairs by the hair darkener.
  
• Is there any one who can turn away the direction of my insurgent ego. They turn away the horses by their reigns.
  
• The desire of human self cannot be lessened by more sins. The food increases desires when it becomes part of stomach.
  
• The human self is like a small suckling baby. It will continue taking milk, if you make no efforts to stop it.
  
• Put a stop to your (ever increasing) desires and do not be a slave to these. If your desires take better of you they will finish you up or decrease your virtues.
  
• Do not spoil the beauty of your action by publicizing them. Keep yourself away from the grazing ground of your hungry desires.
   
• The rich food is no less than deadly poison. However, there are few, who would find out the secret poison.
  
• Beware of empty stomach as much as of the one filled to the brim. The stratagems of hunger are as deadly as those of overeating.
  
• Keep your eyes clean of the sins which have their origin there. Be sorry for them and wash away your sins by shedding tears.
  
• Do not accept the advice of Satan or your self. Their true advice is no less than utter false-hood.
  
• Do not obey them whether they be rulers or enemy. You are quite aware of the tricks of the enemies as well as the tricks of the overlords (rulers).
  
• I seek forgiveness for saying and not acting there on. We expect offspring from a barren woman.
  
• I have been advising others and not acting upon anything myself. How can be such advice of any avail, when we ourselves are not abiding by the rules of religion.
  
• There is no saving on me even to the count of a single Nafl. Except for (compulsory) prayers and fasting, I do not have any surplus saving on me.
  
• What a pity! I have not been following the sublime Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) who had swollen feet because of passing sleepless nights standing on his feet in prayers.
  
• He had tied his stomach with stone despite his delicate nature. He spent all in the way of Allah.
  
• The mountains presented themselves with all the gold in them. However, such was the aloof nature of our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) that he never paid any heed towards them.
  
• Despite his necessities, he never had any leanings towards this world. The needs cannot overtake the chaste, who has been protected against these.
  
• How can this world draw the attention of someone so great without the presence of whom, this universe would not have emerged from nothingness.
  
• O Muhammad (peace be upon him), chief of both the worlds and the lord of Arabs as well as non-Arabs!
  
• Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is the sole legislator of Do's and Don'ts, None can dare oneself ourself with him. He is clear in his injunctions, whether these be orders in the affirmative or in the negative.
  
• He is the dearest of all from whom we can expect recommendation and backing, during all the hours of darkness when grief and melancholy overtakes someone.
  
• He invited towards Allah and anyone who accepted this call held tightly the rope which shall never be broken.
  
• He is superior to all Prophets in his constitution as well as his character. No one can compete him in knowledge or in his kind-heartedness.
  
• All Prophets (peace be upon them) submit before Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and request that they should be blessed by a small quantity of water from his oceans or a drop from the clouds of his graciousness.
  
• They are all standing in their own order like a dot on letter or like punctuation marks.
  
• Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is so high in his character as well as his countenance. He has been chosen as the dearest one by the Creator himself.
  
• There is none in the world who can partake of his great qualities. The quality of beauty is unique and cannot be divided among others.
  
• Do not say about him in the same vein as Christians said about Jesus Christ. Try your level best to praise Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in whatever other manner you can.
  
• You may ascribe all the good and gracious qualities to the greatness of his noble self. Whatever greatness you can conceive, you may attach to the one worthy of such great traits and qualities.
   
• There is no end to the uniqueness and greatness of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). No pen can portray the qualities and no lips can describe these.
  
• If miracles could describe his greatness, even the broken bones would have sung his praises.
  
• He has kept us away from such trials which cannot be comprehended by the narrow confines of intellect. He has been extremely kind to us. Otherwise we would have been the victims of scepticism.
  
• The people were amazed by the reality of his beautiful secret inner-self. The whole world stands dumb founded whether they live nearer or farther.
  
• He is like the glowing sun which seems small, when it is far. The eyes are dazzled when it comes nearer.
  
• How can the worldly people realize the greatness of the one who is awake in his dream, whereas we are all asleep.
  
• The height of our knowledge proclaims that he is the best of all human beings. He is the best of all creatures created by Allah.
  
• Whatever were the great miracles of all the Prophets, these are all derived from the light enkindled in Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
  
• He is the great sun of excellence and all the Prophets are stars. The stars shed light for the people who have lost their way in darkness.
  
• The sun was in full blaze and the whole world was dazzled. His light of guidance has hidden all the past nations.
  
• His beautiful countenance is glowing with equally gracious nature. And his beauty is glittered with the sweetest smiles of all.
  
• He is fresh like the bud and gracious like the full moon. He has lofty aims like the very fate and is a vast ocean of open naturedness.
  
• He has such a halo of unique grandeur, as if he is keeping a very large force around himself.
  
• His sweet teeth are like the pearls in ears. His lips are a whole mine of sweet smiles and wise conversation.
  
• There is no other fragrance in the world which can match the fragrance of his sleeping parlour. What a lucky person is the one who has a chance of having the sweet smell of it as well as the honour of kissing it.
  
• His noble birth proved the greatness of his noble self. How clean and great was his birth and well as the last of his breath.
  
• When the Persians heard the news of his birth, they realized that it was their darkest hour and they were utterly bewildered and sunk deep in their sorrow.
  
• The palace of Kisra fell and was torn to pieces. All the compatriots of Kisra were divided and were torn asunder.
  
• The ages old fireplace of Persia had a sigh of grief. The eternal springs dried up and Euphrates stopped flowing.
  
• The people of Sawa were grieved at seeing the dry fountain. The thirsty were returned back in utter grief and anger from the banks.
  
• As if the fire turned into cold perspiration because of its grief and water had turned in to fire because of extreme anger.
  
• The Jews raised hue and cry and the light shone with all its grandeur. It emerged with all its glow with glittering meanings and words.
   
• How could the deaf and dumb listen to the good tidings. How could the grief and sorrow stricken observe the lightning for the evil doers.
  
• The cahens and foretellers of all the nations informed that all the religions have come to naught and all the old orders have fallen to the ground.
  
• Later they saw the falling stars on the skies. All the idols came to the ground falling on their faces.
  
• The satans were afraid of treading the path of "wahi" (revelation). They followed each other while running in a great rout.
  
• They were like the routed army of Yemen (Abraha) or like the troops which fled at the throwing of a handful of pebbles.
  
• When he threw pebbles, while reciting the Name of Allah, it was like a Tasbeeh, which threw forth Hazrat Younas (May Allah's peace be upon him) from the stomach of fish.
  
• The trees bowed down at his call and came walking forth on their feet with out taking steps.
  
• The branches of these trees drew lines on the ground. It seemed as if they were writing with a beautiful calligraphic hand.
  
• They were like the hanging clouds affording protection against the scorching heat of the summers..
  
• I truly vow by the moon which was divided into two that the purity of the heart of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has close affinity with it.
  
• I vow by the graciousness and magnanimity which had overtaken the cave. Did not the infidels turn blind and were unable to see him.
  
• Truth and the Greatest Truthful Siddique-e-Akbar (may Allah bless him) were hiding in the cave. The infidels were sure that there was none in that cave.
  
• They were sure by the signs of the eggs of pigeon and cobweb. The infidels thought that Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was not present there.
  
• Allah had protected him in such a way that he had absolutely no need of any armour or forts.
  
• When the worldly afflictions pressed me, I took refuge under the protection of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). I was freed from all troubles while under his refuge.
  
• Whenever I sought the best of both worlds from his hands, I received it. I was honoured with the greatest honours while bowing at his doorsteps.
  
• Do not have any doubt in the Wahi (Revelation) which he had in dream. His heart did not sleep even when his eyes were not awake.


• It was the period of puberty of his prophethood. Do no contradict his dreams like the one who has wet dreams.
   
• May Allah bless you (O reader), The revelation (Wahi) cannot earned by effort. You cannot question Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) for his knowledge of the unseen.
  
• Whenever he touched with his blessed hands, many a sick were completely cured. Many an insane were delivered from their tortuous malady.
  
• His prayers delivered the world from the utter drought and mere uttering of his lips brought forth the raining clouds.
  
• There was plenty of rain and the streams were overflowing. The rivers were flooded as if it was the proverbial flood of 'Iram'.
  
• Permit me to describe the miracles of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) who is like the open invitation-bearing standard in a desolate desert or like a lighthouse in the dark night.
  
• The pearls are extremely beautiful when they are set in a pearl set. They do not lose their price even when they are set apart.
  
• Any one who praises the qualities of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) cannot fully comprehend them and thus cannot have a full grasp. He is incapable as he is not blessed with the kind and gracious nature and noble character of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
  
• All the Verses of Allah which are revealed are matchless. He is the Originator of all things and all things Originate from Him.
  
• The verses are timeless and narrate the events of all ages. They tell us of hereafter as well as the stories of Aad and Iram.
  
• The miracle of Holy Qur'an will reign supreme in all ages. All the miracles of all the Prophets are naught as compared to it.
  
• The verses are rooted in firm ground, there is no scope of scepticism in them. There is no credibility gap and they are as sure and unequivocal as executive orders.
  
• Whosoever revolted against the Holy Qur'an, was humbled. Even the enemy bowed down his head in utter humility in front of the supreme verses.
  
• The eloquence of the verses guarded themselves against all attacks. All forays against the family of a noble and brave person are blunted.
  
• The meanings bubble forth like an eternal spring from the verses. The pearls which come forth from the depths of ocean are no match to the glittering beauty of its verses.
  
• The wonders of its verses cannot be fathomed or measured. You will not be bored by reading it, even if you read it again and again.
  
• When the eyes of the reader had a new glow by reading it, I told him "Thou shalt be victorious" so hold the standard of Allah firmly.
  
• If you read these verses for the fear of Hell, the blazing flames of Hell shall become cool.
  
• These verses are like the pool of water which cleanses the faces of the darkest and filthiest of sinners into the snowy whiteness and turns them in to the purest.
  
• These verses are alike the scales of justice and like the straight path of Sirat. Straightness cannot be gauged by the masses except on the standard fixed by these verses.
  
• If these are negated by the one who envies, do not be taken aback. He rightly understands the merit of these verses but he is merely being arrogant.
  
• The one who has eyesore cannot see the light of the day. One cannot appreciate the taste of sweet, when one is sick and has lost his sense of taste.
  
• O the best of all, who is visited by all. Be it an ordinary wayfarer walking on foot or the one who has arrived on camels laden with full load.
  
• He is like a great sign for the one who is counted among elite. His like a great boon for the one who is blesses and gracious.
  
• He soared from one Haram to another Haram like moon which soars forth on a full moon night piercing through the dark.
  
• He sallied forth and crossing all grades, reached such a high pedestal which is beyond human comprehension and cannot be perceived or seen by anyone forever.
  
• He was the leader of all prophets (peace be upon them) in the Masjid-e-Aqsa. He was the chief and the rest had gathered around him like the followers.
  
• He went on the journey in the company of all Prophets (peace be upon them). It was he alone who was holding the standard in the crowd.
  
• He did not leave any high grade for anyone to surpass. He put his steps on all places in both lower and higher pedestals of heavens.
  
• When he arrived at the higher places, the grades of all others were lowered. His standard flew higher than anyone else and was unique in its height.
  
• He attained the highest grades of unity hidden from the face of the people. All the secrets were revealed by His Great Bounty and great Mercy.
  
• You have all the qualities and there is none who can partake of any of them. You have crossed all the high levels and none remains unsurpassed.
  
• What a great pedestal is bestowed upon you. Human comprehension cannot perceive the great bounties of Allah on you.
   
• O Muslims! It is a good tiding for us that we are blessed with a firm pillar which will never be destroyed.
  
• When Allah called upon us to obey Him, He sent His Prophet (peace be upon him). The choicest of all Prophets (peace be upon them) made us the choicest of all nations.
  
• The hearts of the enemies were shaken by the news of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The roar of the lion strikes terror in the hearts of flock of sheep.
  
• The infidels had a miserable state on the battleground. Their bodies were hanging on spears like the beef on a butcher's stand.
  
• They wanted to flee from the terrible war. The envied their own parts of body which were taken away by eagles and vultures.
  
• They used to count nights after nights of terror, except for the nights during the sacred months.
  
• It seemed as if the armyof Islam was being hosted at an inn which called for the flesh of the enemy
  
• The army which sallied forth on the fastest steeds moved like a ferocious river. They moved on the battlefield wave after wave.
  
• They were in action and warred for none but Allah. They uprooted the very roots of kufr and destroyed it completely.
  
• The joint efforts strenghtened the Muslim Millat. Those torn apart became united and the one which started as a stranger resulted in the homecoming of people from diverse lands.
  
• If a woman gets a good husband and caring father, she will be no more torn by the widowhood or orphanage.
  
• They stood like mountains in the thick of battle. Ask their enemies who may describe their valour if they have observed them.
  
• Ask the Badr, Hunain and Uhad, when the death ravaged enemy like the ugliest of all epidemics.
  
• The sparkling whiteness changed its colour to crimson red. The flowing black hairs were overflowing with bleeding wounds on their heads.
  
• The Holy companions (may Allah bless them) wrote scarlet letters on the bodies with the pen like lances. There was no body which remained undotted by their facile pen.
  
• The Holy companions (may Allah bless them) where well armed and they had the signs of prostrating on their foreheads. The fragrant and colourful rose can be easily distinguished from the resembling tree of Salam.
  
• The wind of victory will reach you through their efforts. The bud stands firm in the spring and the Holy companions (May Allah bless them) in their armour in the battlefield.
  
• They rode the steeds like the trees standing on the mounds. They stood firm on the horses because of their steadfastness and not because of the firm saddle.
  
• The enemies were highly bewildered and dumb founded by the terror of the battlefield. They could not make out a man from an animal.
  
• Whosoever is backed by the aid of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) even the tiger would give way to him, when he is confronted by the one in forest.
  
• You will not observe any of his friends without his fullest support and backing. Anyone who is inimical to him would be utterly destroyed and uprooted.
  
• He has protected his Ummah in the citadel of his Millat just as a lion protected his cubs in a forest.
  
• Many a time Qur'an has defeated the enemy and made him kiss the dust. Its arguments have made the enemy down his head in submission.
  
• It is enough of a miracle for him that he was unlettered and yet he was scholar par excellence Who can conceive of such belles-letters flowing forth from the lips of one bred in ignorance and orphanage.
  
• I have written the verses in praise of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) so that I may have a nice end. Unfortunately I have spent my life flattering and praising those who never deserved that.
• Both of them (writing eulogies and staying at the courts) have put a collar in my neck. I am like a camel driven forth for sacrifice.
  
• I have been acting in most childish manner. As a result I do not have anything in store for me except sins and repentance.
  
• What a misery. My self had such a bad bargain. It sold religion for the comforts of this life and it was definitely not a profitable bargain.
  
• Whosoever prefers this world to the next one, would have an utter disaster in such a business, be it on cash terms or on credit basis.
  
• Even though I be a sinner, I have not broken my firm links with Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) The firm rope of religion shall never be cut asunder.
  
• I have all the hope of your kind recommendations. Your name Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a part of it and you are a very compassionate, gracious and kind personage.
  
• If your grace did not support me on the Day Of Judgement and my foot slipped on that day, I am sure to be doomed.
  
• It is most unlikely if the one who expects mercy from you is returned empty handed I cannot return from your doorsteps as one who has fallen from grace.
  
• Since the time, I have busied myself writing about your praise, I have found out a way of deliverance. It is the best of all sureties.
  
• The destitute shall be cared for because of your grace. The clouds make a garden out of desolate mounds.
  
• I do not require monetary awards like Zuhair who had become wealthy by praising Haram.
  
• O the most gracious of all, who else is there to deliver me, when the calamities encircle me from all sides.
  
• O Holy Prophet! (peace be upon him) your grace will hide me in your tenet on the day when the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful will seek revenge (from the criminals).
  
• The present day and the next world are both under the banner of your grace. The knowledge of fate and unseen are a part of your vast expanse of knowledge.
  
• O my self: Do not be dejected because of your great sins. The greatest of sins are but minor lapses, if Allah's Mercy is there.
  
• When His Mercy will be distributed, I have all the hopes. My sins will be overtaken by the Grand Mercy of Allah.
  
• O Allah! Do not reverse my hopes, which I have pitched on you. Allow me to have my fullest faith on Your Bounty and Your Unending Mercy.
  
• O Allah! Have mercy on this poorest and weakest of Your slaves in both the worlds. Let him have forbearance in the face of the great trials of this world.
  
• Please allow the clouds of your choicest salutations to rain throughout on Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) till eternity.
  
• Later on, it may shower its rain on all the Holy Companions, Taba'een those who have all the qualities of virtues, piety, wisdom, humility and His Mercy.
  
• Till such time as the spring breeze moves the delicate branches of soft plants in the garden. Till such time as the camels are driven by the sweet songs of the camel drivers.
  

Translation
Muhammad Hamid