QASIDA-I BURDA AND ITS AURA IN OUR CLIMATE

Abstract

First pre-Islamic fragments of poetry are registered in the fifth and sixth centuries before the occurrence of Islam. These fragments show a very rich and developed poetic tradition. The Qur`an has a negative attitude towards idolatry and the pre-Islamic poetry and poets excepting those who accepted Islam and continued their poetic journey respecting Islamic tradition. Among the poets who were active before and after the beginning of Islam (muhadramuni) the person that stands out is Ibn Ka'ba Zuhajr who became famous for his famous Qasida Su'ādu Bane which he wrote in the honor of the Prophet Muhammad in Medina. The Prophet presented him with his cloak-burda and the poem became known as the Qasida-i Burda. A few centuries later (1297) an Egyptian, al-Bûsīrī, also wrote Qasida-i Burda after he dreamed that the Prophet appeared in his dream and gave him his cloak - Burda. Bûsīri`s Burda, which has 162 verses, written in the praise of the Prophet Muhammad surpassed the fame of its predecessor and became famous throughout the Islamic world. For centuries, in our country, Qasida-i Burda has attracted attention and interest of Muslims who, through its verses, express their love and respect for the Prophet Muhammad. A great number of its transcripts, comments and printed copies in Gazi Husrev-Bey`s Library in Sarajevo prove the fact. Key words: pre-Islamic poetry, muhadramuni, Qur`an, Prophet Muhammad, and Qasida-i Burda, Ka'b ibni Zuhajr, al-Bûsīrī