Qasidah Burdah

The reason for writing this poem

The writer Imam Sharafuddin Muhammad Al-Buseeri had become paralysed. His doctors and physicians gave up all hope of his recovery. Eventually in this state of complete helplessness and despair he composed this poem expressing the grandeur and excellence of Prophet Muhammad (Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam). Using this as his sole means of asking Allah Ta'alaa to cure him from his illness. He isolated himself in a quiet place one Thursday night and with complete devotion, concentration and sincerity/ began reciting this poem. While reciting it sleep overcame him. He had a vision of Prophet Muhammad. He told the prophet of his illness whereupon the prophet passed his blessed hand over Imam Busairi's body. Through the barakat (powers) and blessing of the prophet, Allah Ta’alaa granted him complete cure from his paralysis. When he awoke he found a scarf or shawl on his body which he had seen the holy prophet place on his paralysed limbs. This resulted in the poem being named "Qasidah Burdah" (The Poem of the Scarf).

In the morning when due to some necessity. he went to the bazaar, a pious dervish greeted him with salaam and requested him to recite the qasidah which he had composed in praise of Prophet Muhammad. The poet said that I have composed many poems in praise of Rasuluallah (saw), which one do you wish to hear? The dervish replied: 'The one which begins with, A-min Tazak-kurin (i.e. Qasidah Burdah)".

Upon this request the poet became wonder struck and said, "I take an oath that no one knows about this poem. Tell me the truth, from whom did you hear about it?" The dervish replied, "I take an oath by Allah that I heard it from you last night when in a dream you had recited it to Muhammad (saw), whereupon the prophet became attentive towards you and because of its blessings Allah Ta'alaa granted you complete cure from your ailment".

When the poet gave this poem to the dervish his secret became known to all the people and its barakat and blessings too became general for all.

When this poem reached Baha-ud-deen the governor of the country named Taah'r, he so highly regarded and respected it that he would stand while listening to it.