5 May, 2013

Guest speaker is Faraz Yousafzai (http://www.facebook.com/faraz.yousufzai) from the Sufi inspired acoustic folk rock band Silk Road (http://www.facebook.com/SILKROADMUSIC) talked about 'Islam, Arts & Music' plus a personal experience of Umrah.

Faraz and his Umrah Experiences
Faraz started by discussing his experience of Umrah recently and how he had been personally affected by the great event in his life, and he encouraged all listeners to seriously prioritise Hajj / Umrah for their own personal development. The impact of the true sense of Brotherhood was stark to all visitors.

• Faraz also talked about the Mecca Clock Tower casting a shadow over the beauty of Mecca and the Kaaba. Some people see this as one of the signs of the Last Hour (Sahr).

Islam, Arts and Music
Poetry and Artists
Arts and poetry are central to the tradition of Islam and the spread of Islam. Poetry has always been respected amongst Muslims and the Qur'an is part poetry - but of the Sublime variety! An example of great poetry was the poem Qasida Burdah (The Cloak). This "Poem of the Mantle" is an ode of praise for the Prophet* composed by the eminent Sufi, Imam al-Busiri (Muḥammad b. Saʿīd b. Ḥammād b. Muḥsin b. Abū Surūr b. Ḥibbān b. ʿAbdullah b. Mallak al-Sanhajī) of Egypt. The poem, whose actual title is al-Kawākib ad-Durrīya fī Madḥ Khayr al-Barīya ("Celestial Lights in Praise of the Best of Creation"), is famous mainly in the Muslim world. It is entirely in praise of the Prophet*, who is said to have cured the poet of paralysis by appearing to him in a dream and wrapping him in a mantle or scarf.
Other poets and the effect of their poetry was discussed (Rumi, Wordsworth) but the underlying theme is one where the poet shares their stories with the audience through memorable verse.

Music and Poetry
Poetry was then put to music from early on in Islam and the Muslims invented the musical scales that we still use. The rise of popular western music was traced through the Slave Trade that took many Muslim Africans to the Americas, and with it their music and rhythm which is grounded in Muslim tradition. The basic themes and chords of modern popular Western music can be traced back through to the Blues which, arguably, takes it's inspiration from the Muslim African tradition: a journey mapped and used by many prominent musicians such as Miles Davis. Also, Faraz talked about a decline in the moral value of Western (american) music with an exodus of Muslim musicians and producers.
Other points were the study of modern music theory with the development of Spanish music tradition which is grounded in Muslim Artistic tradition - and the cross fertilisation of Moorish music with Eastern (Persian and Indian) music tradition and devotional music.
The permissibility of Music was explored as there is a valid Islamic opinion that playing and listening to music is Haram, but that the majority opinion in classical Islam is for the permissibility of music within certain limits that include the lyrics being allowed only of they do not contradict Islam. This topic is contentious and people should respect others' views on this.
Faraz then explored some lyrics, chords and chord sequences and the power of poetry and song - such as those expounded by artists like Outlandish (from Denmark) and Jackson Brown ('Lives in the Balance') and the musical tutelage of Dawud Wharnsby as an inspiration to a generation.
Father and Son by Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) was performed.

Summary
The world needs artists and the Muslim Community (Ummah) needs good artists and story tellers. Finally, to be good at music or any other task people need dedication and lots of practice.