Qasidah Jazz "Unique rendition for the souls"

Morocco is one of the few blessed country with millions of Sufi saints living and buried there. If you ask anyone be it Muslims or not, they will definitely affirm you anything to do with Morocco is beautiful in many ways. The sacred path, music, spiritual culture, food, architecture of the buildings, unique calligraphy and many more interesting cultures . Its goes on and on. The story of Imam Jazuli q.s. and Shaykh Ahmad Tijani q.s. never failed not only to amaze us but to inspire us to visit them one day. The history of the country itself is very indeed fascinating. The whole spiritual culture identity in Morocco is well unique within diversity. You can witness and hear tons of varied type of Qasidah with the influence of varied ethnic and culture.

One of my favorite Qasidah artisit is Yassir Chadly who was born in Morocco but migrated to USA. He was not only a munshid but also well verse with various traditional instrument like oud. On this video, you can see and hear Yassir Chadly rehearsing his Qasidah session with the Jazz musician which entice your hearts completely. I am aware there might be skepticism on this because of the Jazz but then again looking at the situation, most Moroccan Islamic Ahlus Sunnah Wa Jemaah scholars had no problem with such issues. So who are we to condemn or complain. Its true each Islamic scholars have different opinions on each issues but however bear in mind they don't criticize each others views. Respect is the key word here.

To me as long as the music didn't make you into committing sins or any unlawful act, as it brings you closer to Allah and Prophet s.a.w. its ok. We are not here to judge anyone rather to embrace humanity within the diversity. Enjoy the Qasidah with Jazz.

The Deentight screening

When I first saw this trailer, I have to be honest I was excited. Its not about the rap or being in the hip hop that makes me curious to know more on Deentight but it was due to the light of anxiety wanting me to know how someone find faith through their journey in life. This is what its all about. People in ghetto finding faith through the art of hip hop. In a way, how they find God is a form of artistic view. Its not easy to understand their freedom of expression especially in Singapore, our society is basically confine to our own self understanding, building our brick of walls, not knowing whats going on the other side of the world. Less appreciative and narrow minded in many ways. We lost the plot of creativity and thus progression is merely base on materialism.

After the screening in Singapore, I know many in the mainstream failed to realize the objective of the film. The documentary is not about promoting music or hip hop but its for us to realize the beauty of journey to God. Its how we understand one find Islam through various ways, it could be music, poetry and many more. Its unique and interesting especially when it comes to understanding the role of the culture. Hip Hop is a culture of the African American and thus it becomes a global culture today and what make its more interesting Islam was also spread through Hip hop back then without we noticing it. I realize those in subculture tend to be in the mood of appreciating beauty of an art rather than to be critical with no hope. It amaze me people in the subculture are more incline actually in religion, its due to the cause of our movement in the subculture educating us about human rights, sincerity, integrity and many more noble values which commercial fake mainstream fail to deliver.

I am not surprised back those days in early 90s, one of the pioneer of the hardcore scene Ray Capoo from youth of today formed a new band Shelter with krishna influence and movement. It became phenomenon during those days. While you read the lyrics it have Sufism heavily influence, it nurture those kids with the hearts of refinement. Just imagine a kid singing and reading lyrics about being honest and abstain materialism in order to gain sincerity. How would the kid be when he grow up? This is what the people in world looking for, sincerity. And those in subculture scene if they are lost, they tend to look for something to hold on in their daily lifes. This is where faith play a role in their life. Those krishna kids who are now grown up most of them embrace Islam through their search for tranquility.

If you are not into subculture scene or never being in there before, its difficult for you to understand Deentight. Life and faith is a journey through experience we find God along the way. Isnt the great saint of all time Ibn Ataillah always said about the wisdom in finding God is to search something within you while you are embarking on a journey which you never know where it will lead you. By the way, this film Documentary is sponsored by Habib Ali al Jifri. The Tabah Foundation.

Hope there will be much more screening happen in our backyard cause our youth they might understand what we dont and appreciate something which we are ignorant. We always imagine Islam as to what it supposed to be. I am not talking about being liberal. Its difficult to explain something which is in the state of taste. When the Sufi Saints came to this region, they didnt Arabize the people here but they Islamize them

Sacred scene "The appreciation"

When I was fading away from the subculture scene back nearly 10 years ago. I never thought I would be doing the same thing again. No. Its about me being in the scene again, making a come back neither there is any truth in the reforming of Red Kedge. Its my involvement in producing CDs audio but this time its the Qasidah CD and also promoting it to the masses. I was finding it amazing on how I didn't think about it many years ago about doing this. Somehow, it struck me when I was really down and out in the early stages of my journey. Relatively, it became a source of my inspiration in the love of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. All those years, being involved in the scene make sense to me now how I can contribute to society in one way or another.

It was my passion that drive me to make this a reality. It wasn't anything else although I struggle with money to progress but with the hope to create a scene which was never exist, enhance my heart to ride on the hardship and struggle. It wasn't a good affair to begin in the early part and till today it wasn't as sweet as some may think its. Though, I am contend with the fitnah and false allegations but Praise be to Allah, each day bit by bit of every falsehood was swept under the carpet with the truth appearing as a light of hope. It doesn't matter to me at the moment although many good friends warned me not to take issue in complacency. I learn alot about backstabbing, mouthwatering encounter, backbiting and many more negative elements. And I have to admit at times I am also make tons of mistakes. may Allah protect me and guide me. All these inshaAllah will make me stronger to provide quality services and products.

My hope is that Sout Ilaahi can create many diversity sacred space, platform, scene or whatever you may label or term it not just for the youth but also for anyone who begin to understand and appreciate spiritual culture and sacred arts with their baggage of experience in life, in regards to their journey . Its about time, we start to appreciate Qasidah, poetry and any symbol of Sacred Arts within our community. Creativity creates progression and thus develop society in good social condition. I wouldn't know what it takes to love Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. if not me attending Majlis and starting to do this Qasidah project, let alone to comprehend the real meaning and essence of Love. Today, I realize the important of loving Prophet Muhammad s.a.w is a must for those who attain certainty in their journey. It open the door of your heart, as it was said by a sufi saint, to know love is to be broken. We try to abstain materialism and labouring for a true reality. I try my best to do what I can and forgive me when my nafs enjoying speaking to you.

Remember us in your prayer. Lets appreciate the Sacred Beauty of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w and Allah swt. may Allah bless you and forgive me.

Khalid Ajmain

photo 01- Jerrahi Zikr
Photo 02 - Sammaniyah Zikr

What is Music in Islam?

What is music in Islam? It is haram, forbidden to listen to music that is arousing to the ego. How can you tell? If the heart goes to haram ,it is haram!

Some people, on the other hand, when they listen to music are changing, looking at their incompleteness. This is a funny happening, and with it comes a strong desire to complete one's self, to save one's self from incompleteness. This is divine music, special music. We may say it is 'sunnah'.

There is also another class of people, those who must listen to music. The music of Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi q.s. , for instance, was the opening Divine knowledge. From it one could take a power to protect the nation of Muhammad s.a.w. This is 'wajib' music.

Originally, no action was prohibited. Prohibition came only after that action started leading away from Allah Almighty, and towards our nafs, our egos. This is a general law. As our Grandshaykh says, "I'm giving you a balance and a base. You may now go anywhere, east or west, and not lose your way. In every action, you may find 'wajib', 'sunnah' and 'haram'. One man goes to saloon to drink; it is haram. Another goes to take knowledge; it is sunnah.

Mawlana Shaykh Nazim Adil Haqqani
taken from The teachings of Grandshaykh Abdullah Faiz Daghestani

Photo: Naqshbandi Indonesia

CONCERNING MUSIC AND DANCING AS AIDS TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE

The heart of man has been so constituted by the Almighty that, like a flint, it contains a hidden fire which is evoked by music and harmony, and renders man beside himself with ecstasy. These harmonies are echoes of that higher world of beauty which we call the world of spirits; they remind man of his relationship to that world, and produce in him an emotion so deep and strange that he himself is powerless to explain it. The effect of music and dancing is deeper in proportion as the natures on which they act are simple and prone to emotion; they fan into a flame whatever love is already dormant in the heart, whether it be earthly and sensual, or divine and spiritual.

-Imam Ghazzali from "The Alchemy of Happiness"
taken from http://anascanon.blogspot.com

The impact of Qasidah...the source of love...

Felicia Tan wrote her experince on the journey to Allah and embracing Islam through mawlid, Qasidah and burdah in her personal writing which she hope to publish it one day. She said no one knows how it feel till you have tasted it. When I heard Madeehul read mawlay ya solli, my heart sank ...deeper than I thought, this is the feeling I have been yearning for many years.

The Sacred CD is out now finally !!!

Alhamdulilah, finally the CD of Madeehul Mustafa is out now produced by Sout Ilaahi !! For all lovers of Prophet s.a.w, dont miss the chance to buy this 9 tracks of Qasidah with soothing voices and Shaam rhythm which will make you yearning more for the love of Prophet s.a.w.

The CD is available at Muzika Record, Manzil Mustafa and Wardah Books.

For any enquiries and details do email us, inshaAllah