Tafsīr al-Burda

The Poem of the Cloak Explained

By

Shaykh Fakhruddin Owaisi

Imam of Hout Bay Mosque, Cape Town, South Africa

Recitation and reflections on the Burda
by an accomplished Muslim scholar and nashid artist.

January 10, 2010, 2:30 – 7:30 pm

Parkes Hall 122, Northwestern University
1870 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL, 60208

For more information, see www.nasrulilm.org, or call Barakat Aliou, 773-386-3294

Co-sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa (ISITA),
Northwestern University

About the Poem

The Qaṣīda al-Burda, or “Poem of the Cloak,” written by Imam al-Buṣayrī (or Buṣīrī, d. 1296, Egypt), is probably the most popular poem in Islamic history. Essentially a poem of praise dedicated to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), it contains provocative reflections on the human condition and the individual’s relationship to God. The poem is still memorized and recited by numerous students and scholars across the Muslim world, from Malaysia to Senegal. According to legend, the composition of the poem cured its author of paralysis. Many Muslims have since considered its words endowed with particular blessing for the healing of hearts and souls. For more information, see http://www.iqra.net/qasaaid1/burda.

About the Scholar

Shaykh Fakhruddin b. Ahmad Owaisi is the Imam of Hout Bay Mosque in Cape Town, South Africa, and a lecturer of Ḥadīth, Tafsīr and ‘Aqīda studies at Cape Town’s International Peace University. He is the former chairman of the Sunni ͑ Ulama Council of the Cape (South Africa), and has an extensive background in the Islamic sciences. His primary and secondary education was completed in Medina, Saudi Arabia; and he later received higher-education degrees from the University of Cape Town (M.A. in Islamic Studies, B.A. in Religious Studies) and the Islamic College of Southern Africa (B.A. in Islamic Theology). He has been a close student of some the age’s greatest Muslim scholars, such as Shaykh Sayyid Muhammad ͑Alawi al-Maliki (Grand Shaykh of Mecca), Shaykh Hazim Abu Ghazaleh (Jordan), Mufti Ghulam Sarwar (Pakistan) and Shaykh al-Islam Hassan Cisse (Senegal). He also has certificates of authorization from other notable Muslim scholars, such as Sayyid Muhammad Ya ͑qubi (Hadith). He is also an accomplished Nashid artist, and is a popular Muslim preacher with a versatile teaching repertoire. Shaykh Fakhruddin is an American citizen of Indian descent, whose family traces their lineage to the Sayyidina Owais al-Qarani (RA). He is fluent in English, Arabic and Urdu.

About the Sponsors

Nasrul Ilm, meaning “helping knowledge,” is a network of Muslim youths across America and abroad dedicated to promoting better understanding of Islam and to helping those in need. Nasrul Ilm was inspired by the legacy of Shaykh Hassan Cisse (d. 2008), the Senegalese Imam and humanitarian activist whose life in service to Islam and humanity touched millions. For more information, see www.nasrulilm.org.

The Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa (ISITA) was founded in 2000 and is the first research center in the United States specifically devoted to the study of African Islamic culture. ISITA seeks to raise awareness of Africa’s rich Islamic intellectual and literary heritage by encouraging collaboration and interaction between scholars and by publishing works on African Islamic thought and the transmission of knowledge. For more information, see http://www.cics.northwestern.edu/programs/isita.

The Muslim-cultural Student Association (McSA) of Northwestern University aims to increase awareness of Islamic culture at Northwestern University and to provide an Islamic environment for Muslim students. McSA regularly organizes events to present Islamic heritage and provide a forum for discussion for the wider Northwestern community. See http://groups.northwestern.edu/mcsa.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Shaykh Mouhammadou Mahy Cisse, Director of AAII’s international Islamic Schools Program, beloved brother of Shaykh Hassan Cisse(RA) and one of his closest companions, during which he spoke about Shaykh Hassan’s (RA) love of Islam and generosity.

An Awards Ceremony was held to honor individuals who served Shaykh Hassan Cisse (RA) for the Sake of Allah by helping him to establish the Tariqa Tijaniyya in America as far back as 1976 and for working to fulfill AAII’s mission. Recipients of a Certificate of Appreciation for Pioneering Service that reads, ” In recognition of your devotion, dedication and service to Shaykh Hassan Cisse (RA)” include: Alhajji Ahmad Dimson (RA), Imam Yusuf Imam (RA), Imam Sayed Abdus-Sallaam, Alh. Abdul Azeem Shabazz, Alh. Abdul Majid Muhammad, Alh. Amin Sharif, Alh. Mustafa Abdul-Azeem, Alh. Babacar Konte, Alh. Aboubacar Cisse, Hajja Kareema Abdul-Kareem and Hajja Ashaki Taha-Cisse.

Shaykh Hassan Cisse’s (RA) humanitarian work as the Founder/Chairman of AAII was presented by Hajja Ashaki Taha-Cisse in a speech that reviewed the organization’s accomplishment under his (RA) leadership in the twenty two years since it was founded. AAII’s commitment to universal education, access to health care, empowerment of women, protection of children, alleviation and extreme hunger and poverty and promotion of peace, and its successful initiatives in each aspect of its mission and the pivotol role Shaykh Hassan Cisse (RA) played in them were recounted.

Many of Shaykh Hassan Cisse’s (RA) American students from New York, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis, Colorado, as well as those originally from Ghana, Senegal, the Gambia and Mauritania now living in the U.S., and the well wishes of those who were unable to attend from the United States, Trinidad and various countries in Africa, bore witness to the extraordinary life and great work of this extraordinary man.

*(RA) indicates a person is deceased and means, “May God be pleased with him.”

As an the opportunity for medical care in the United States became known, requests for care for children from numerous African nations began to arrive, making it clear that AAII would have to expand its efforts to develop relationships with medical facilities and physicians willing to provide pro bono services. At the same time, other human and financial resources would have to be developed in order to meet the need.

AAII is working to expand its roster of physicans and medical institutions throughout the United States to provide free medical care to African children who would not otherwise have a chance for a normal life. At the same time, we are developing alliances with other organizations to support this vital work. In addtion to financial support to cover the cost of air fare and visa applications for the child and an accompanying parent, AAII is working to develop a network of host organizations and families to house the children and their parents during their stay in the U.S.

In expressing his condolences and friendship, President Wade said that although he had dispatched high level representatives to convey his deep sympathy to Shaykh Tidiani Ali Cisse for these profound losses, he wished to present his sentiments personally.

President Wade offered his congratulations and best wishes to Shaykh Tidiane Ali Cisse in recognition of his selection as the Chief Imam of the Grand Mosque of Medina, and President of AAII. The Senegalese President acknowledged the many ways in which AAII contributes to the health and well being of the people of Senegal through its medicine distribution program and other health initiatives, to include immunization, promotion of breastfeeding, and the provision of access to care in rural areas.

AAII’s President expressed his appreciation to President Wade for his gracious visit and reiterated AAII’s commitment to work toward universal education, access to health care, empowerment of women, protection of children, alleviation of hunger and poverty and promotion of peace.

The cordial meeting concluded with the President of AAII and the President of the Republic of Senegal pledging their continued cooperation on behalf of the people of Senegal.

Our mission is to assist with the needs of humanity and to promote a deeper understanding of Islam. To this end, local chapters have been established in a number of American cities. Our activities include educational, charitable, social and spiritual programs designed to advance the understanding of the Islamic sciences, help those in need, and assist with solving some of the problems facing our societies.

Local chapters are generally made up of a number of officers, general members, and honorary members. Each chapter has full control over its own policies, procedures, and local activities. Cooperation between the chapters, however, is an essential component in achieving the overall goals and objectives of the organization. Local chapters thus share ideas and resources for common goals. Decisions impacting the nation-wide body are made through designated representatives of local communities in communication with each other and with Shaykh Hassan Cisse.

New chapters are being formed frequently. Please use the contact form to establish a Nasrul Ilm chapter in your city.