Dear Friends
Habib Esa Annaquib al-Haddad has a weekly recitation of Ratib al-Haddad of Imam Abdullah ibn Alawi al-Haddad (1634-1720), the renewer (or mujaddid) of the 12th Islamic century, at Wardah Books
The ratib has become so celebrated throughout the Muslim world that it is also known as Ratib al-Shahir (the Famous Ratib). It consists of the most well-known supplications of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), sequentially arranged by Imam al-Haddad for regular recitation.
When we first started the bookshop on North Bridge Road seven years ago (has it really been seven years!), we had weekly recitation of Ratib al-Haddad followed by readings of Imam al-Haddad's 'Adab of the Murid'. Passers-by used to wander in to join us, perhaps attracted by the soothing fragrance of lubaan (frankincense). Somehow when we moved to Bussorah Street, these sessions were put on hold. We are delighted to announce the re-starting of this tradition.
And as before, everyone is welcome.
Dear Friends
InshaAllah. Starting this Friday, 8 January 2010, Wardah Books will host a weekly recitation of Maulid Simtud Duror, the famous maulid written by Habib Ali bin Muhammad Al-Habsyi (1843-1915). The recitation will start at 8.30pm on Fridays and will be led by Habib Hassan al-Bahar.
Everyone is welcome.
Salaam
For those who missed the Qasidah al-Burdah event with Habib Hassan al-Kaf on 26 December 2009 at Wardah Books, here are the videos:
Dear Friends,
The Qasidah al-Burdah of Imam al-Busiri is celebrated throughout the Islamic world and is held in such high esteem that it is engraved in its entirety on Masjid Nabawi (the Mosque of the Holy Prophet in Medina). The Qasidah al-Burdah has been the hallmark of traditional Islamic communities from Moluccas to Marakkesh, serving as a beacon for all followers of the Prophet of Mercy, Muhammad (s.a.w).
On Saturday, 26 December at 2pm, Habib Hassan al-Kaff from Solo will be at Wardah Books to recite a selection from the Qasidah al-Burdah and to give a short introduction about it in Bahasa Indonesia. Everyone is welcome.
The CD of Habib Hassan's recording of the Qasidah al-Burdah is available at Wardah Books.
Dear Friends,
The Maadihul Mustafa ensemble will be singing qasidah and will be speaking about qasidah at Wardah Books on 19 December 2009 from 2pm to 3pm. All are welcome.
Briefly, qasidah is a Sufi poetry form. Almost all are devotional and bear the themes of Divine Oneness and love for the Beloved Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.). Qasidah are sometimes incorporated in Mawlid and sometimes sung on its own as is the famous Qad Kafani of Al-Imam Al-Habib Abdullah Bin Alawi Al-Haddad that is sung in munajat (sincere supplication).
Qad Kafani of Al-Imam Al-Habib Abdullah Bin Alawi Al-Haddad
My Lord's knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing
For my du'a and my agonising supplication
is a witness to my poverty.
For this secret (reason) I make supplication
in times of ease and times of difficulty
I am a slave whose pride
is in his poverty and obligation.
O my Lord and my King
You know my state.
And what has settled in my heart
of agonies and preoccupations.
Save me with a gentleness
from You, O Lord of Lords.
Oh save me, Most Generous
before I run out of patience (with myself)
My Lord's knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing
O One who is swift in sending aid
I ask for aid that will arrive to me swiftly
It will defeat all difficulty
and it will bring all that I hope for
O Near One Who answers
and All-Knowing and All-Hearing
I have attained realisation through my incapacity,
my submission and my brokenness
My Lord's knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing
I am still standing by the door, so please my Lord
have mercy on my standing.
And in the valley of generosity, I am in i'tikaf (solitary retreat)
So, Allah, make my retreat here permanent.
And I'm abiding by good opinion (of You)
For it is my friend and ally.
And it is the one that sits by me and keeps me company
All day and night.
My Lord's knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing
Dear friends, we had a wonderful session at Wardah Books on 5 Dec 2009 with Oniatta Effendi and Art Fazil. Oni read The Boy With No Name, and Art sang from his Syair Melayu album.
For all those who missed the event, here is a short clip on Youtube
New CD Titles
Refinement of the Hearts / Tasfiyah al-Qulub of Imam Ibn Juzayy (15-CD set)
Hamzah Yusuf
Bowing of the Stars: The Story of Surah Yusuf CD
Maryam Sinclair
Bosnia: Echoes from an Endangered World
Excerpts of Naqshbandi and Qadiri zikr
Alim & Fargaba Qasimov: Spiritual Music of Azerbaijan
Music of the Waswahili of Lamu, Kenya (Maulid, Qasida and Dzikr)
Rifai' Ceremony of Rabi'ul Awal
Melayu Music of Sumatra and Riau
Restock
Al-Ghazali: Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife CD set
Abdal Hakim Murad
Rights & responsibilities of Marriage CD set
Hamza Yusuf
Lament of the Reed Book & CD
Maulana Rumi / Seyyed Hussein Nasr
Dear Friends,
On 5 December (it's a Saturday) we have a treat for the children – a story-telling sing-a-long with Art Fazil and Oniatta Effendi right here at Wardah Books.
We’ll start at 2pm and end around 3pm. Oh, and Kak Oni will be reading from one of Idris Shah’s illustrated books, "The Boy Without A Name". Its suitable for 7 year-olds or older.
Art will be doing some numbers from his new CD, Syair Melayu.
InshaAllah.
Invite your friends and neighbours… bring your children (or someone else’s).
See you there
Available now at Wardah Books
Dear Friends,
Wardah is hosting an afternoon of Electric Ghazal by Alfian Sa'at. Ghazal is an ancient form that consists of rhyming couplets. While ghazal creative expression is diverse, the central themes are traditionally love and longing.
Alfian will read some English ghazal from his own collection of verse, 'A History of Amnesia'. Do drop by on 28 November, 5pm at Wardah. If you have some of your own ghazal, don't be shy to share. (In case you're wondering, there will be no band of backing musicians.)
See you soon.
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