Qasida al-Burda of Imam al-Busiri

Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim

Imam al-Busiri's Burdah; a universal fount
Where seekers from all sufi spiritual paths dismount

Its celestial lights resplendently shine from east to west
In high esteem and loving praise for the creation's best

Allahumma salli wa sallim `alayh

Sayyidina Muhammad the guiding luminous lamp
Upon that ode he has bestowed, his own approving stamp

When its author was ailing and to Allah he appealed
He saw the Prophet in a blessed dream and he was healed

Allahumma salli wa sallim `alayh

He healed him with his touch, upon hearing its recital
Covered him with his mantle, thus it received its title

Imam al-Busiri like Hadrat Ka'b ibn Zuhayr
Received a gift to which worldly riches cannot compare

Allahumma salli wa sallim `alayh

The Mantle: couplets stitched together with the letter meem
Its verses are so eloquent it flows just like a stream

Sweet and pure, a cure for spiritual paralysis
Its goodness overflows into a sea of chalices

Allahumma salli wa sallim `alayh

Bejeweled and sparkling with similes and metaphors
Imam al-Busiri's pen, opens spiritual doors

Allah connected him, so blessings flowed naturally
From Imam Abu'l `Abbas from Imam ash-Shadhili

Allahumma salli wa sallim `alayh

All the way back to the Prophet, so let us all unite
With all the lovers from around the world as they recite:

May blessings and peace always and forever, O Patron
Be upon Your beloved, the best in all creation

Mawla ya salli wa sallim daiman abada
`ala Habibika khayril khalqi kullihimi

Allahumma salli wa sallim `alayh

Rabi' al-Awwal 1439 A.H.
Toronto, Canada