Sheikh Abdurahim Al-Bur’ai and His “Nasheeda” Revolution

Written by Afendi Muteki
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Some 20 years ago, in the holy month of Ramadan, whenever you visited many of the coffee houses (“shayi bet” in Amharic)  in Mercato, Adare Sefer and other counties of Addis Ababa and in the cities of Dire Dawa, Harar, Adama, Jimmaa, Dessie, Asosa etc, what you hear from the tape recorders put besides the cashiers were mostly the Sudanese songs of Muhammad Wardi, Ahmad Al-Mustafa and Sayyid Khalifa. It seemed to me that most of the youth of the time used to consider those Sudanese songs a meaningful spiritual melodies. Since 2000 G.C., however, this habit started to change slowly where the songs were being replaced by the marvelous Sudanese “Nasheeda” (properly called “Madeeh”). And, from the Ramadan of 2003 (1995 E.C.) onwards, the evenings of the caffes, restaurants, music shops etc of Addis Ababa and other towns are dominated by these Sudanese “Madeeh”. Such a dramatic change happened, as I think, with the emergence of the highly mystique Sudanese “Nasheeda” album titled “Al-Adnani”. 

I heard one “Madeeh” included in the album “Al-Adnani” in 1996 from the Sudanese “Radio Omdurman”. But at that time, it seemed to me that a worldly singer sung it just as some Ethiopian singers were doing.  As time passes, I came to know that there are thousands of Sudanese individuals and groups who entirely dedicated their life for “Madeeh” only. And the group that sung “Al-Adnani”, known as “Firqatu Sahwa” (meaning “the revivalists” or “the awakeners”), was one and the best known Sudanese Madeeh group along with “Al-Asala” group. And in recent years, so many individuals are joining the “Madeeh” genre. Among them is the blind super star called “Hanan Al-Niel”.

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In most cases, the Sudanese “Madeeh” singers don’t write their own “Nasheeda”. They usually took the “Madeeh” poetry written by old Sheikhs and perform it in their own lyrics. Among these sheikhs of “Madeeh” poetry, the most influential and highly gifted one was Sheikh Abdurahim Muhammad Al-Bura’i. 

Sheikh Abdurahim Al-Bura’i was born in 1923 in North Kordofan.  He was educated in many parts of the Sudan under different sheiks. Up on the completion of his education, he settled in his home Kordofan where he served as the people’s teacher for nearly 50 years. He lived there until his death.

Sheikh Al-Bur’ai was a highly gifted and influential teacher. But most notably, he is known for his “Nasheeda” revolution. As I said in the above section, most of the Sudanese “Munshids” (performers of “Nashedaa”) use his poetry for their “Madeeh”. His influence can be felt still after his death. I (the writer of this small article) can witness that I learned many things through his poetry.

In his poetry, Sheikh Bu’rai stressed deep spiritually and Islamic way of life. He wrote about staying firm on “Ibadah” (worship of “Allah”), making “da’wa” (preaching), having a good family, respecting the  parents, giving charity, having good manners, etc... He also teaches the story of the Sahaba (companion’s of the prophet , s.a.w) in a resplendent way. However, I admire the poetry of Sheikh Al-Bur’ai mostly for their advices of the youth. For example, in one poetic Madeeh performed by “Firqatu-Sahwa”, the Sheikh advised the youngs on the importance of “Halal” marriage in the following manner.

“Ahfaz Li nisfa-Diini
Bi ziwaajin zatu-Ddini.
Sharikatu fi hayaatuk
Aanisatu fi bayaatuk
Abadun walaa tzlimha

Wa-ddiinin Haanif allimha

Ni’mak laa tahrimhaa

Wa ra’ hurmatuha wa akrimhaa”
 

Here is the approximate meaning of the poetry in English

“Hold the half of your faith (i.e. Islam)

By marrying a wife that held her faith.

She is your friend in your life

And she is the strength of your family.

Never do a wrong on her

Educate her with best of the faith
Don’t restrict her from using your property (since it belongs to both of you)

Keep her dignity, and be generous to her.”

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Sheikh Al-Bur’ai’s “Nasheeda” revolution got him accredition from many directions. And in 2002, the University of Khartoum awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Literature for his popularization of the “Madeeh” poetry in the Sudan and other countries, which he received from the hand of the Sudanese President Umar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir.

Sheikh Al-Burai died in 2005. May Allah award him Jannah.

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Afendi Muteki
Ramadan 6/1431