Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s famous Hamd

Hamd is one of the many forms of poetry that marks a great significance in the Urdu literature.

It is like a poem or a song written in praise of Allah the almighty. The meaning of word

‘Hamd’ is Allah’s word or praise to Allah which is derived from the holy book Quran. Seemingly,

in this whole universe everything from small insects to big oceans, from planets to the stars and

every life is created by Allah. He is the owner, creator, manager and the only power who can

destroy it whenever he wants. Hence, everything starts and ends with his praise in this world.

Hamd is usually written in Arabic, Persian or Urdu language and sung all over the world. Its

prose is beautiful and is sung with soft melodies. One of its earmarks is that it sets forth its

claims with respect to Allah by rich forms of words and its prose furnishes the proof of devotion

to the almighty god and his praise. However, whatsoever is said it is very less in the praise of

the almighty.

Hamd is sung all over the world by many Famous Urdu Poets and singers in almost all religious

events. Indeed, every Islamic event is initiated by the recitation of Hamd. All the artistic

functions like Qawwali, Mushairas and Ghazal party performance also includes at least

one Hamd, which is actually the first song, sung in the performance. As everything starts with

the name of god so does such performance start with the praise of God.

There are many Famous Urdu Poets of both past and present who have contributed a

significant collection of work to this genre. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is an oldest of all who has

marked a name of eminence by contributing great collection of poetry’s in the Urdu literature.

He not only is famous for Hamd but he is also a world renowned Pakistani musician, a singer

of Qawwali and a devotional musician of the Sufis as well. His work has its own magnificence

that cannot ever be compared with others in writing.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is considered as one of the finest singers ever recorded in history, as he

possessed an extraordinary vocal ability and could perform at a high level of intensity for

several hours in one go. His voice was otherworldly and touched hearts of millions all over the

globe. His philosophical utterance and the rich form of words contributed to the art literature

as nobody else of his generation did till today.

Some of the lines from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Hamd:

Sana Bashar K Liyeah Hai Bashar Sana K Liyeah

Tamaam Hamd Saza Waar Hai Khuda K Liyeah

Ataa K Samnay Yaarab Khata Ka Zikr Hee Kya

K Tu Ataa K Liyeah Bashar Khata K Liyeah

Qounain Ka Masjood Hai Maa’bood Hai Tu

Her Shay Teri Shahid Hai K Mash'hood Hai Tu

Her Aik K Lab Per Hai Teri Hamd O Sana

Her Sooz Mein Her Saaz Mein Moujood Hai Tu

Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum

Surely, his vocal range, talent for improvisation and sheer intensity in speech has made him the

Famous Urdu Poets of the history whose works were unsurpassed. He not only gave the Urdu

literature a strong foundation but also introduced it to the western world. Apart from this he

was also termed as Shahenshah-e-Qawwali, meaning ‘The King of King of Qawwali’. Today,

Urdu poetry is very much in demand all over the globe. There are also many websites available

where you can get a glimpse of such great Famous Urdu Poets and their work.