A playlist to inspire & ground
Like many, I am more conscious about my auditory intake during Ramadan. I want to surround myself with positivity and reminders of the Divine. I largely move away from music and replace it with listening to Quranic recitation. Sometimes I like to change it up and add some wholesome tracks to the mix.
I have a playlist of nasheeds (if you would allow that term some flexibility) I’ve been adding to it over the years and have recently found myself sharing this playlist with a number of individuals, so I thought I’d share it publicly.
Disclaimer: This is not a commentary on the permissibility of music in Islam but an expression of a way that art connects me to spirituality.
My complete curated Spotify playlist is linked at the end — in the meantime, these are some tracks I wanted to spotlight.
- “Spiritual Refugee” by Pearls of Islam
This song inspired by one of my favorite poems by Imam Al -Hadad entitled “My Lords’s Knowledge Suffices Me”. This poem has long been a source of respite and relief for me, a reminder to rely on God alone — a reminder to lay down the burdens we carry and trust unequivocally in God (Jesus take the wheel anyone?)
“My Lord’s knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosingO One who is swift in sending aid
I ask for aid that will arrive to me swiftlyIt will defeat all difficulty
and it will bring all that I hope forO Near One Who answers
and All-Knowing and All-Hearing” — exerpt the original poem by Imam Hadad
I love these sisters' interweaving of lines from the original poem in Arabic and their soulful reflections on the sentiment of the poem.
The entire album “Love is My Foundation” is a work of serene and calming art.
2. Salaawat by Shaykh Salih Al- Ja’fari
West African dhikr — there is nothing like it. The overwhelming swell of voices praising the Beloved, Precious, Precious Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in unison…. SubhanAllah. This was a 2020 discovery for me and really helped me make it through the last year of the pandemic.
3. Qad Bada “Withdrawal into the Perception of the Essence”— 7 Stations
Best described in their own words, “7 Stations is a band from the San Francisco Bay Area that fuses Arabic Islamic spiritual poems and traditional north-African melodies with an eclectic mix of modern musical styles including Rock, Pop, Metal, Country, Surf, Hip-Hop, Pop-Punk, Reggae/Funk, and Acoustic/Folk.”
Their album“ELECTRIC DIWAN” is a compilation of Rock style renditions and interpretations of the traditional Islamic songs that were sung in these gatherings, from the words to the original melodies.”
I can’t get enough of this fusion.
4. QAD BADA (Withdrawal into the Perception of the Essence) by 7 Stations
“The music video for “QAD BADA (Withdrawal into the Perception of the Essence)” is set in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and follows Hakim and his son Kareem’s journey to Dar al-Islam, an adobe mosque in the mountains of Abiquiu. It commemorates Hakim and speaks to the universal message of unconditional love and dedication.”
Hakim Archuletta, has worked in the healing arts for four decades and has helped countless individuals.
5. “Ya Habibi” by Khāled Siddīq
This track is a banger. I was introduced to this artist during a mawlid event this past year, and have been really enjoying his work coming out of the UK.
6. “Madha Morisco” — Al Firdaus Ensemble
This beautiful song is taken from a manuscript found hidden in a false ceiling when a Spanish house was restored in 1882. Written in the 17th century at a time when Muslims had to disguise their identity in Spain after the kingdom of Spain forced the removal of all Jewish and Muslim peoples in 1609 under the Spanish Inquisiton. Al Firdaus Ensemble, a group of musicians from England, Spain and Morocco transport us back to Andalusia with this song.
Al Firdaus Ensemble‘s music “expresses the memory of the world we come from and the one we are headed towards. Their original compositions combine Western music with Celtic and flamenco influences, as well as arrangements of songs from the traditions of the Sufis, Al-Andalus and Turkey.”
7. “SubhanAllah” by Maher Zain
This track has stayed strong on my rotation since the album “Thank you Allah” came out in 2009. I was on a strong nasheed kick at the time and kept this looping. Zain’s verse in Arabic hits hard! Catch me singing it at the top of my lungs while driving any day of the year.
8. “Own Light” Brother Ali
“You’re not using your heart for, what hearts are for
They’ve been trying to shut us down our whole life
I thank God for healing
You ain’t got to get me lit, I got my own light”
Hip Hop & Spirituality = Soul Food. Brother Ali gives us life with every track he creates. This beautiful song is just one example- an inspiration to elevate ourselves to live up to the potential of our fitra (natural disposition) and retain a aheart centered conciousness.
Also, check out the music video intro- words from our beloved teacher Shaykh Dr Umar Faruq Abdullah.
9. 99 Names (Asma Ul Husna) by Khalil Ismail
This 8 min long track goes over the names of Allah and their meaning. It’s been a catchy way for me to connect with and reflect upon the Divine characteristics.
10. “Salam” by Ras Muhammad
Islamic Reggae artist Ras Muhmmad embodies a very special and unique blend of cultures in his music. It simultaneously has a special Nusantaran flavor while retaining its clear reggae and Islamic inspiration. Lots of tracks to love from him.
11. “We’ve Scanned the Skies (Ramadan Song) by Dawud Ali Warnsby
Nostalgia Alert! This song doesn’t make the year-round rotation but it is certainly noteworthy since we are in the midst of the holy month. I appreciate tracks that mark our religious observance and holidays. We can’t get inundated with holiday music in the malls and not get to have our own tracks to celebrate with. This song holds a lot of sentimental value, having grown up listening to it from a young age. And it still gets me hype for the lead-up to Ramadan every year.
12. Ishrabb Sharab by Ahbab Al- Habib
Ahbab Al- Habib, Lovers of the Beloved- group and album by the same name-dropped in 2020.
The group records classic Arabic poetry in praise of God and his Beloved Messanger (peace and blessings be upon him)
Hope to hear much more from this Southern California-based group! I love hearing them at local mawlids mashAllah.
13. “Callin U” & “I Only Ask of God” by Outlandish
This is an ode to the seeking of God — a love letter.
“I’m callin’ you
When all my goals, my very soul
Ain’t fallin’ through
I’m in need of you
The trust in my faith
My tears and my ways is drowning so
I cannot always show it
But don’t doubt my love”
Danish hip hop group, Outdanish capitalized on their diverse group make-up (the three members being of Moroccan, Pakistani, and Honduran/Cuban descent). Almost all of their songs have a verse in Spanish. I'm always a fan of language interweaving.
Outlandish is big high school throwback vibes for me, they one of my first concerts! Most people know them for their remix of “Aicha” (“Bread and Barrels of Water- 2003) but their 2006 album “Closer than Veins” is where it’s at. Sadly, the group has since disbanded.
14. “Dear God” by The Roots
“ Dear God, I’m trying hard to reach you
Dear God, I see your face in all I do
Sometimes, it’s so hard to believe it…
But God, I know you have your reasons”
I’m opening up Pandora’s box by adding this classic hip-hop group to the list (so much spirituality in hip-hop! Might have to make an entire separate playlist) but the lyrics in this particular song struck a chord and have stayed with me since this track originally dropped. This album came out in 2010 at a time when I really needed a rope to God and this very aptly named album, “How I Got Over” was paramount in my growth. Plus you can’t beat The Roots live.
15. “Beat of My Heart” by Pearls of Islam
Circling back for more from the “Pearls of Islam”. This song envokes the names of God taking the form of a beautiful prayer — Amen!
16. “Intentions” by Native Deen
This is another group I grew up listening to. This particular track plays in my head whenever I post things on social media… actions are by intention.
17.“Eid Mubarak” by Essam x Zak YM x Akhi Abu
This is dope holiday music- A jubilant expression from our blessed holiday from our brothers in the Southend of Seattle. This music video is a truly beautiful tribute to community.
These tracks and more are available on my Spotify playlist here:
Much love & gratitude to all the artists on this list. Let me know who your favorite nasheed artists are!
