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Aligarh News: Naat or Naatiya poetry has a long, pure and spiritual tradition in Urdu literature. Hamd is said in praise of Allah and Naat is poetry read or written in praise of Hazrat Mohammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, which is called Naatiya Kalam.
Aligarh: In the world of Urdu literature, Naatiya Shayari is such a spiritual tradition which has been giving solace to the hearts for centuries. In Islam, the Naat recited in praise of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is not only a literary fan, but also a means of love, respect and love for the Prophet. Dr. Aftab Alam Najmi, Assistant Professor of the Urdu Department of AMU and a famous poet, says that the journey of Naat started from Arabic, then reached Persian and then Urdu and even today all the new and old poets write and read it considering it as their reward.
Aftab Alam Najmi says that Naat or Naatiya poetry has a long, pure and spiritual tradition in Urdu literature. Dr. Aftab Alam Najmi tells that his creative journey started from his home environment. Both his father and mother were literary personalities. Walida Sahiba was also a poet and a novel writer. This literary heritage inspired him to write poetry and short stories. Dr. Najmi says that the fourth generation of his family is also carrying forward this legacy and his daughter writes poetry in English, which makes him feel a different kind of pride.
Many poems in Urdu poetry
Dr. Najmi said that many types of poems are found in Urdu poetry. Hamd, Naat and Mankabat are the most important among them. Hamd is said in praise of Allah and Naat is poetry read or written in praise of Hazrat Mohammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, which is called Naatiya Kalam. Whereas Manakabat is said in praise of Hazrat Ali and other elders.
He said that the history of Naat starts from very old Arabic literature. During the time of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, the Sahabhis used to say Hasan bin Sabaat in Arabic. Later in Persian, great poets like Sheikh Saadi, Jami also greatly expanded Naatiya Kalam. Even in Urdu, poets of almost every era have given it literary status by writing naats along with ghazals. The poet considers this as both a reward and an honor for himself.
Naat is not just a literary practice, but also a spiritual experience.
He said that even today the tradition of saying Naat is strong. Some poets make only Naat their basic text. Like Tabish Mehdi, Yawar Warsi of Kanpur and Zikr Hami, a new breed student, who especially writes Naatiya Shayari. Reciting naat is not only a literary act but is also considered a spiritual experience for Urdu poets.
