Event Review: Mawlid Festival 2013 with Habib Syech Assegaf & Shaykh Hisham Kabbani
Where: Former Geylang Serai VOC Institute 11 Jalan Ubi
Who:
– Shaykh Hisham Kabbani
– Habib Syech Assegaf
– Ustaz Md Fizar Zainal
– Ustaz Md Zahid
– Singapore Haqqani Ensemble
– Nurulhuda Islamic Ensemble
– Art Fazil
When: 31st May 2013 6pm-1030pm
By: Simply Islam, Planet Spiritual[/box_dark]
On the back of a very successful Mawlid Festival 2012, Simply Islam’s Mawlid Festival 2013 – A Spiritual Symphony of Love saw a congregation of nearly 5000-strong braving the rain and muddy terrain to attend the festival dedicated to the remembrance of Allah SWT and His beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) through Qasidahs, Salawats and a speech by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani.
Hosted by Ustaz Fizar Zainal of Safinah Institute, who with his bubbly personality, wit, knowledge and spiritual advice, effortlessly linked up the different acts that had been lined up for the festival.
The event was also broadcasted through live streaming on www.sufilive.com.
Singapore Haqqani Ensemble
First to perform is the well-known local Qasidah group, the Singapore Haqqani Ensemble.
No stranger to Mawlids around the region, The Naqsh Band as the ensemble is also known as, filled the cool night air with beautifully recited praises to Allah SWT and salawats to Prophet Muhammad (S) which were accompanied with catchy and electrifying drum beats.
The audience, most of which are familiar with the ensemble’s performances recited along to various dzikir and salawat that filled the hearts and minds of everyone present.
The ensemble ended their performance with a medley of two songs, titled Nur ul-Anwar and Allahumma Solli-ala Muhammad, both available in their new album also titled Nur ul-Anwar.
Nurul Huda Islamic Ensemble
Adding much needed spice and tempo to the mood were the brothers from Nurul Huda Islamic Ensemble who preformed next. Their nasyeed, with the accompaniment of Indian-style drums and an accordion, soon got the audience clapping along and following the recitation of the glorious praises to Allah SWT and His Prophet (S).
Art Fazil
Well-known singer-songwriter Art Fazil went next with his own contemporary rendition of Thola’al Badru Alayna. But, as a testament to his wit and humour, he first conducted a mike test with “alif, ba, ta”, which drew much laughter from the audience.
Together with local drumming entourage Perfusion, he then strummed and sang a high tempo Thola’al Badru Alayna to which the audience happily joined in and clapped along.
Habib Syech Assegaf
Although invited to give his speech first, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani requested for Habib Syech Assegaf and his qasidah group Ahbaabul Musthofa to perform first. The reason behind his request was that the Kalimah Syahadah and Salawat Nabi that are mentioned in the qasidah verses is said to travel straight to Allah’s ‘Arash whenever it is recited.
Habib bin Abdulkadir Syech Assegaf, son of Islamic scholar Habib Abdulkadir Bin Abdurrahman Assegaf, is a highly popular teacher of Islam and together with his group the Ahbaabul Musthofa have organized many Mawlid and Salawat events in the region.
Also known as the man with the golden voice, Habib Syech Assegaf and the Ahbaabul Musthofa then proceeded with their spirited, tireless and melodious hour-long performance.
Shaykh Hisham Kabbani
The highlight of the festival came in the form of a short but noteworthy speech by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani.
[quote]There is no light without his light.[/quote]Shaykh Kabbani began by sharing with the audience that Allah SWT created the nur of Prophet Muhammad (S) from His light and decreed it Muhammad (S). There will be no light, no universe and no heavens without the light of the Prophet (S). Such is the importance of our beloved Prophet (S).
A Period of Confusion
Shaykh Kabbani then reminded the congregation with a message that seemed to have been lost amidst all the fitnah that has been plaguing the Muslim world at present.
His reminder is that Muslims are a people of justice, peace, tranquility and a people who do not want to hurt anyone.
He then related a few hadeeth where our Prophet (S) had warned Muslims that there will be a period of great confusion in the Muslim world and that Muslims should stay away from such confusion and from anything that will destroy the belief of Mu’mins.
During this period of confusion, Muslims should destroy or throw away their weapons so as to not end up hurting anyone and should not get involved as it will only bring danger upon themselves and others.
Allah’s SWT Greatness
Shaykh Kabbani then related the Greatness of Allah SWT to the audience through a series of questions:
How is it possible for Rasulullah (S) to send back salawat to every single person reciting salawat to him at the same time by himself?
How is it possible for the souls of each person to reach the womb that had been written for it?
How is it possible for Prophet Muhammad (S) to go through the Isra’ Miraj and then return with his bed still warm?
These occurrences are obvious testaments to the Greatness of Allah SWT.
The Blessings of Salawat
Shaykh Kabbani then reiterated the importance of salawat.
Each salawat will reach Rasulullah (S) immediately and Allah SWT will send 10 salawat to the person in return. But the difference between the salawat that we give and the salawat that we will receive is that our salawat will be from the dunya, from our tongues that are filled with sins while the salawat that we will receive will be from Allah Himself.
Allah’s SWT angels are also constantly roaming around the streets looking for groups of Muslims doing dzikir.
It is important for Muslims to do salawat and to do dzikir together in masjids as much as they can.
Mawlid Festival 2013 concluded with a du’a by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani. It is a new experience for me and it has certainly filled me up with more love for Allah SWT and His Prophet (S) and I am sure that everyone who attended would feel the same.
[divider]Muhammad Ilham Othman
An aspiring writer currently studying Journalism and Media Studies. One who is also constantly trying to better himself for Allah SWT.
