Qasida Book | Ismaili

Themes often focus on the struggle to overcome the lower self ( nafs ), the importance of a spiritual guide, and the search for inner enlightenment. Prominent Contributors and Literature

Ya Shah! This book is but a shore; Your Grace the ocean, deep and vast. Forgive the scribe, the reader, too, And hold us in Your shadow cast. Ismaili Qasida Book

While the Arabic Qasida holds a place of honor, the Ismaili Qasida Book used in the South Asian context (India, Pakistan, and the global diaspora) is often a bilingual or multilingual collection. Alongside Arabic and Persian Qasidas, the book incorporates the Ginans —the devotional hymns composed by the Pirs and Sayyids who propagated the faith in the Indian subcontinent. Themes often focus on the struggle to overcome

The Zahir is a lovely bride, The Batin is her secret soul. Without the Guide, no stars to guide, Without the Qasida, no heart made whole. Forgive the scribe, the reader, too, And hold

Unlike the Quran with strict Tajweed , Qasidas have flexible, poetic rhythms. Most Qasida books will indicate the wazn (meter). Listen to Rai’s (community reciters) on digital archives to match the melody to the book’s text.