What is Naat Khwani?

Dear Muslim Brothers! The poetic expression of praise, description, commendation, attributes, and characteristics of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is called Naat, Naat Khwani, or Naat Goi (Na’at Recitation). In Arabic, the words Mad’h wa Sana (praise and commendation) and Inshad (hymnody) are also used for Naat. In the early history of Islam, many noble Companions (Sahaba) wrote and recited Naat. Following their tradition (Sunnah), this practice continues to this day and, God willing, will continue forever.

The Ruling on Naat Recitation

Lovers of the Prophet (peace be upon him) have always adopted various styles to praise their generous Master (peace be upon him). Some chose poetry, while others used prose. Whatever the style, the goal and purpose are the praise and commendation of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him). However much it is done, it is less than what he deserves, as long as it remains within the boundaries set by the purified Shariah. The pages of books of Hadith and Islamic history bear witness that whenever the noble Companions would praise the Mercy to the Worlds (peace be upon him) and recite poetic verses of Naat, the Master of the Worlds (peace be upon him) would not only be pleased but would also bless them with prayers. Therefore, we understand that if Naat is recited anywhere today, he (peace be upon him) will be pleased with it. Since the pleasure and acceptance of Mustafa, the Mercy to All Creation (peace be upon him), is sought after in Shariah, Naat recitation is perfectly in accordance with the command of Shariah.

The History of Naat

Dear friends! If we look at the history of Naat, we find that among the Companions, Hazrat Sayyiduna Hassan bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) was a Companion who was also a Naat-recitng poet. For this reason, he is also known as the Poet of the Court of Prophethood. Among his poetic praises, these verses are very famous, filled with love and ecstasy:

وَأَحْسَنُ مِنْكَ لَمْ تَرَ قَطُّ عَيْنِي
وَأَجْمَلُ مِنْكَ لَمْ تَلِدِ النِّسَاءُ
خُلِقْتَ مُبَرَّأً مِنْ كُلِّ عَيْبٍ
كَأَنَّكَ قَدْ خُلِقْتَ كَمَا تَشَاءُ

Translation: “(O Messenger of Allah!) My eyes have never seen anyone more handsome than you. No mother has ever given birth to anyone more beautiful than you. You were created free from every fault, as if you were created exactly as you desired.”

Thus, when the polytheists uttered inappropriate verses against the Noble Messenger (peace be upon him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Hazrat Hassan bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him): “O Hassan! Respond on behalf of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him)! O Allah, support him with the Holy Spirit (Angel Jibril)!” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Scholarly Naat-recitng Poets

Dear Brother! From the era of the Companions until today, just as the noble Companions promoted the tradition of reciting Naat, the scholars and saints of Allah also declared true love for the Mercy to the Worlds (peace be upon him) as essential for the perfection of faith, alongside promoting and spreading Islam. They also considered Naat recitation a superior means of attaining and increasing the love for the Prophet (peace be upon him). All Sufi orders (Turuq) give a special place to Naat gatherings. Therefore, the names of a few such esteemed personalities are listed here, who not only promoted Naat recitation but also practiced Naat Goi themselves:

1. Imam A’zam Abu Hanifah
2. Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani
3. Imam Sharafuddin Al-Busiri
4. Khwaja Usman Harooni
5. Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi
6. Maulana Abdul Rahman Jami
7. Shaykh Saadi Shirazi
8. Baba Fareeduddin Ganj Shakar
9. Sultan Bahu
10. Baba Bulleh Shah
11. Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya
12. Amir Khusrow
13. Makhdoom Sabir Kaliyari
14. Allama Sayyed Kifayat Ali Kafi
15. Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan
16. Pir Mehr Ali Shah
17. Ustad-e-Zaman, Hassan Raza Khan
18. Sadrul Afadil, Naeemuddin Muradabadi
19. Hujjatul Islam, Hamid Raza Khan
20. Mufti A’zam, Mustafa Raza Khan
21. Burhan-e-Millat, Burhanul Haq Jabalpuri
22. Hakimul Ummat, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi
23. Mufti Muhammad Khalil Khan Barkati
24. Raees-ut-Tahrir, Allama Arshad Qadri
25. Sadrul Ulama, Tahseen Raza Khan
26. Tajush Shariah, Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan
27. Rehan-e-Millat, Rehan Raza Khan (RA)
28. Mufti Ahmad Mian Barkati
29. Salman Raza Fareedi Misbahi

Extreme Caution in Naat Poetry

Respected Gentlemen! Writing a Naat Sharif is no ordinary task. Extreme caution and etiquette must be observed, as the slightest disrespect or use of an inappropriate word can lead to painful punishment. Allah the Almighty says:

“O you who have believed, do not say [to the Prophet], ‘Ra’ina’ but say, ‘Unzurna’ and listen. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:104)

[Explanation of the context and ruling from the verse follows, emphasizing the utmost importance of respectful language when addressing or praising the Prophet (peace be upon him).]

Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (RA), was extremely cautious about how Naat was recited and listened to. It is reported that he once said he only intentionally listened to the poetry of two people: Molana Kafi and Hassan Mia (Hazrat Molana Hassan Raza Khan), as their work remained completely within the boundaries of Shariah. He mentioned that writing a Naat is very difficult, like walking on the edge of a sword; going too far leads to claims of divinity (for the Prophet), and falling short leads to belittlement. He forbade using words typically used for worldly beloveds (like ra’na, dil-ruba) or feminine metaphors (like Layla) in Naat.

Our Responsibility as Muslims

My respected brothers! As Muslims, it is our responsibility to read and, as appropriate, convey to others the praise and commendation of the Prophet of Mercy (peace be upon him) as mentioned in the Quran, Hadith, and reliable books of Seerah (biography). However, before fulfilling this duty, it is extremely necessary to be aware of and observe its related etiquettes. Anyone who picks up a pen or moves their lips to praise the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) must keep the status and rank of the Beloved of Allah (peace be upon him) in mind. They must never utter any word or verse that contains even the slightest aspect of disrespect or belittlement towards him, or any semblance thereof.

One should eloquently describe his greatness in their poetry. As much as possible, instead of directly calling out his name, one should use titles worthy of his status. One should listen to Naat with full attention and reverence, imagining themselves present in the Court of Prophethood (peace be upon him), and keep in mind Allah’s command:

“O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not.” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:2)

Sadrul Afadil, Allama Sayyed Naeemuddin Muradabadi (RA) writes that this verse teaches us to honor and respect the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) and commands us to be mindful of etiquette when addressing him. Therefore, Naat Sharif should also be written and recited with extreme respect and honor, keeping these commandments in view.

The Poetry of Contemporary Poets and Naat Gatherings

Respected Gentlemen! When we look at the poetry of contemporary poets and the Naat reciters who perform them, it often seems that the poet has written the piece using a film song as a standard or template. Similarly, Naat reciters often present Naat verses completely in the style of a song. This causes the listener’s mind to immediately divert to the sinful verses and obscene lyrics of that song, while the primary purpose is lost.

Furthermore, the actions and movements during such gatherings violate the sanctity of the Naat ceremony. Reciters, in their specific dance-like styles, swaying vigorously and inciting the audience to do the same, drain the spirit from the recited poetry. The reason is that the listeners also sway and wave their hands just like participants in a musical program, because the specific tune and melody (from a song style) has a particular effect on their emotions. It is often clear they are barely restraining themselves from dancing. Moreover, people throwing money at the reciters like they do for dancers further tears apart the respect of these gatherings. This is not praiseworthy but highly condemnable.

Then, in these circles, Naat is given precedence over sermons and speeches, and reciters are welcomed more than scholars. This regrettable situation has placed scholars in the second row and singers and performers in the first row, practically destroying what remains of the scholarly tradition. This is a great tragedy of our time, even though scholars are the heirs of the prophets.

The Status of Scholars

Respected Gentlemen! Mustafa, the Mercy to All Creation (peace be upon him), stated the high virtues of knowledge and scholars. In one Hadith, he said:

“Indeed, the scholars are the heirs of the prophets. The prophets do not leave behind dinars or dirhams [as inheritance], but they leave behind knowledge. So whoever takes it, has taken a great share.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Tirmidhi)

In another Hadith:

“The example of the scholars on earth is like the stars in the sky, by which guidance is sought in the darkness of the land and the sea. If the stars were to be obscured, it is likely that the guides would go astray.” (Musnad Ahmad)

The Ruling on Reciting Allah’s Remembrance and Naat with Duff/Dandiyan (Drums)

Allama Ali Qari (RA) writes: “It is stated in ‘Khulasah’: ‘Whoever recites the Quran on the Duff and Dandiyan will be considered a disbeliever.’ I (Mulla Ali Qari) say: The ruling for reciting the remembrance of Allah and Naat of Mustafa (peace be upon him) with Duff and Dandiyan is closer to that (i.e., disbelief). The same ruling applies to clapping during Dhikr.”

His Eminence, Mufti A’zam Mustafa Raza Khan (RA) was asked about the ruling on reciting Qasidas, Naat, and Salat-o-Salam while standing during Mawlid using a Duff. He replied: “It should not be done at all! It is clearly a severe disrespect. And if there are jhanjh (cymbals) attached, or if it is played in a way that creates a musical rhythm (gat/taraz-o-sur), then it is Haram, severely Haram! Haram upon Haram!”

My respected brothers! A fatwa has been issued from the central Darul Ifta of Ahl-e-Sunnat in Bareilly Sharif, India, by His Eminence Tajush Shariah Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan Azhari (RA) and other elders, declaring this new wave of Naat recitation (where the Duff or Dhikr is presented in a way that produces sounds resembling musical instruments) as severely impermissible and the way of the corrupt (Fussaq).

Therefore, reciting Naat in the style of songs and committing various strange, dance-like movements is also not permissible! Avoiding such actions is very necessary. Unfortunately, some people, blinded by ignorance and greed for money, are sowing a new seed in the Ummah through this disrespect, which is now becoming a festering wound.

Some Etiquettes of Naat Recitation

Dear respected ones! Among the etiquettes of Naat recitation, the following points are of particular importance:

1. If possible, the Naat reciter should be in a state of ablution (Wudu) and recite the Naat of the Accepted Prophet (peace be upon him) with utmost respect, reverence, and devotion, filled with sincerity, love, and a bowed head.
2. The love of Allah’s Beloved (peace be upon him) should be manifest in the reciter’s heart. For the duration of the recitation, they should consider themselves engaged in the worship of Allah. They should strive for melodiousness (Khoosh-gulawi) but avoid disharmonious high and low pitches (Zair-o-bem). They must also refrain from singer-like raag (melodic modes), movements, and affectations.
3. Like the art of Tajweed and Qira’at, Naat recitation is also acquiring the status of a pure art in our time. However, turning Naat recitation into a business or trade is equivalent to violating its sanctity, let alone making it a source of livelihood and using every permissible and impermissible method to earn money from it. Such a person cannot be considered sincere in Naat recitation nor filled with true love and belief in Allah and His Messenger. Such reciters must recognize the merits of Naat while keeping the sanctity of the Prophet’s status in mind. Just as Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (RA) wrote Naat while fulfilling the right of Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) status, reciters should also fulfill the requirements of Naat recitation with respect and honor. They should recite Naat written by knowledgeable persons whose poetry fulfills the requirements of respect and Shariah.
4. It has often been observed in our time that some people enjoy foul-smelling, reprehensible substances (e.g., cigarettes) and wander around the pandal. As soon as their name is called from the stage, they jump up and start reciting Naat! This manner is not correct at all. Someone who describes the glory of Allah’s Beloved (peace be upon him) should never use foul-smelling things. If a reciter recites with full observance of respect and etiquette, rest assured, Allah will put the effect of the tone of Prophet Dawud (David) in their voice. Their Naat will affect the hearts of the listeners. Anyone who cannot observe the respect and etiquettes of Naat recitation is better off, for both this world and the hereafter, to stay away from this sacred act.
5. If only Naat Goi or Naat Khwani were done by taking the piety of the people of taste and lovers of the Prophet as a guiding torch—SubhanAllah! The spiritual ranks achieved would be the pinnacle of spirituality! Consider this Persian verse where the poet expresses such etiquette and piety:

Hazaar baar bishoyem dahan az mushk o gulaab
Hanooz naam-e-to goftan kamaal-e-be-adabi ast!

Translation: “If I wash my mouth a thousand times with musk and rosewater, I still believe that speaking Your name with this mouth is the height of disrespect!”

Those who maintained the utmost respect and etiquette were blessed with the vision of the Master of Both Worlds (peace be upon him) in their lifetime—examples like Imam Sharafuddin Al-Busiri (RA), Maulana Jami (RA), and countless others are there for us to understand. Surely, these esteemed personalities received these ranks as a reward for praising and describing the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) with respect and honor.

Dear friends! There was a time when Naat reciters would recite, and a silence would fall over the gathering. Every eye would be tearful from the separation of Madinah and the memory of the Generous Beloved (peace be upon him). And then there is today’s time, where new superstitions and un-Islamic matters are being incorporated, injuring, suspecting, and making questionable the essence of a sacred act like Naat recitation.

The Shariah Ruling on Naat Recitation by One Who Shaves His Beard

My respected brothers! Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat (RA) was asked if a person who shaves his beard, trims it, or one whose beard is still growing can lead a Mawlid Sharif recitation. He (RA) said: “Mawlid Sharif should not be recited by these people. It is stated in ‘Tabyeen al-Haqaiq’: ‘Because presenting him (to lead) entails honoring him, while it is obligatory upon people to disgrace him (the sinner) according to Shariah.'”

Both one who shaves his beard and one who trims it below the shariah-prescribed limit are open sinners (Fasiq Mulin), openly committing sin. Naat reciters who shave or trim their beards below the shariah limit are open sinners. Having such a Naat reciter sit on the stage or minbar to recite Naat is to honor a sinner, and honoring a sinner is prohibited by Shariah. Therefore, having an open sinner (Fasiq Mulin) perform Naat recitation is also prohibited.

What Should a Naat Reciter Be Like?

Respected Gentlemen! It is not that there are no respectful and sincere Naat reciters left in the present time. There are still such Naat reciters who are Hafiz-e-Quran (lead Taraweeh every year), Qaris, scholars (Aalim), preachers and orators (Khatib wa Wa’iz), possess strong command and vast knowledge of Shariah issues, are pious and God-fearing, respectful and serious Naat poets and reciters, are very respectful and companions of scholars, have their own business or job and do not make Naat recitation a source of income, do not have their eyes on people’s pockets, are Sunni with correct beliefs, avoid un-Islamic speech, and recite the Naat poetry of scholars of Ahl-e-Sunnat, particularly Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat, the Lover of the Moon of Prophethood, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (RA), in an extremely beautiful manner—sincere and sweet-voiced reciters who possess the passion (soz) of Hassan (RA), the zeal (jazba) of Bilal (RA), the love (ishq) of Owais (RA), and the spiritual grace (fayazan) of Jami (RA) in their tone and style.

If such educated, sincere, practicing Naat reciters, who are also companions of scholars and implement the teachings of scholars in their lives, are given preference in our Naat gatherings today, it could change the color of society. The lamp of love for Mustafa (peace be upon him) could be lit in hearts. Our character and actions could once again reflect the Life of Mustafa (peace be upon him)!

However, it is very regrettable to say that today, a worship like Naat recitation has been turned into a source of income by a few ignorant people. Inactive, rather wrong-acting, ill-mannered, foul-mouthed, greedy people have made Naat Sharif a play, spectacle, and mockery on the style and tune of songs. And adding insult to injury, the scholars of Ahl-e-Sunnat then have to answer for these ignorant actions. The common people mistakenly think that such actions are what Sunnism is. They consider such people to be representatives and propagators of Ahl-e-Sunnat, whereas such unethical and un-Islamic actions have no connection to Ahl-e-Sunnat whatsoever! Such people can never be the representatives or spokespersons of Ahl-e-Sunnat!!

On the other hand, our public is so simple that they will spend millions of rupees on these ignorant people, but they will undervalue a religious scholar who preaches and advises, speaks the truth, and teaches religious issues!! Therefore, a mention of a few flowers adorning the garden of Hassan (RA) has been made so that the common brothers can distinguish between flowers and thorns! Now the choice is yours: receive the fragrance of love from a practicing scholar and sincere Naat reciter, or attain worldly fame and otherworldly disgrace and humiliation from a business-minded, wrong-acting, “note-seeking” (money-seeking) reciter.

Ab aap sambhalain to kaam apne sambhal jain
Hum ne to kamaai sab khelon mein ganwai hai!

Translation: “If you take care now, your affairs will be set right. I have earned and lost everything in games.”

Payment for Naat Recitation

Dear respected ones! Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat was asked about payment for Naat recitation: “…Some (Naat reciters) only recite Hamd and Naat, and the listeners serve them with cash and kind. Is this matter permissible and correct in mosques and other places? And is this income permissible or impermissible for them? Are these people included in the category of the verse: ‘Those are the ones who have purchased the life of this world [in exchange] for the Hereafter’ (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:86), or are they excluded?”

Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat (RA) replied: “If the purpose of preaching and reciting Hamd and Naat is specifically to acquire some wealth from people, then without a doubt, they fall under this blessed verse and are in violation of the command: ‘And do not exchange My verses for a small price’ (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:41). That income is impure (Khabees) for them, especially when they are not such needy people who are permitted to ask (for sadaqah); since now asking without need is itself another prohibition (Haram). And that income is more impure and Haram, like usurped property. It is stated in ‘Alamgiriyyah’: ‘Whatever wealth a beggar (sa’il) collects is impure (Khabees).’ Secondly, if their purpose in preaching, Hamd, and Naat is purely for Allah, and Muslims serve them of their own accord, then it is permissible, and that wealth is Halal.”

My dear friends, brothers, and elders! This fatwa makes it clear that just as demanding and insisting on payment before preaching and reciting Hamd and Naat, as is common today, is impermissible, and taking that money is also Haram. Therefore, it is very necessary to avoid such un-Islamic matters!

Prayer (Dua)

O Allah! Grant us the ability to write, recite, and listen to Naat according to Islamic teachings. Grant us the mindset to keep sinful and corrupt Naat reciters away from our gatherings. Bestow upon us the zeal to respect and honor our scholars. And grant us the ability to act upon the commandments of the Purified Shariah. Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds!