Q: How far are Qirat and Naat
instrumental in the spreading of Islam?
Qari Hamid Mehmood Qadri: Once I read a Naat
written by Mr. Mahmood Shaam on the occasion of the inauguration
ceremony of his book. There were several high commissioners present
from SriLanka, Bangladesh, Nepal etc. The SriLankan High
commissioner's eyes filled with tears hearing the Naat. He called me
at his office and asked to read it again. I asked him that how do
you feel listening to this Naat as you are not a Muslim and also you
can't understand Urdu perfectly. He said, 'I can't express in words.
I just enjoyed and lost in its rhythms'. So it does happen. There is
an amazing attraction in Qirat and in naming Allah and His Prophet (S.A.W)
and an indescribable feeling one experiences in his heart whether he
is a Muslim or not. Once Qari Abdul Basit was offering Qirat in
Dubai. A man couldn't control his emotions and jumped from the
building. After that Qari Abdul Basit was banned in Dubai. Similarly
there are many junctures when a non-Muslim accepted Islam after
listening to Qirat or Naat.
Q: Have you gotten training for Qirat and Naat Khwani?
Qari Hamid Mehmood Qadri: I have learnt Qirat from
my Qari Sahab but in Naat Khawani I have no teacher as such. There
is no institute for learning. Muhtarma Muniba Sheikh is very much
interested in opening up an academy where young girls and boys get
training of Qirat and Naat Khawani by seniors in this field. There
is an immense talent in our young generation even sometimes seniors
get stunned listening to them. If we provide them the proper
training they can do wonders in this field.
Q: You have also performed on private channels, what
difference do you see between private and government channels?
Qari Hamid Mehmood Qadri: In my opinion PTV is best
for Naat Khawans and Qaris. The reason is that a contract is signed
and all schedules come before the recording. One has to give
audition properly. The rehearsal takes place for which too Naat
Khawans and Qaris are paid. All happens in a proper manner. But as
far as the private channels are concerned, there is no criterion to
offer Qirat and Naats. There is no respect for them.
Q: You have performed in so many institutes, radio,
television and other places. Where did you enjoy the most?
Qari Hamid Mehmood Qadri: I enjoyed most at the
Sindh Assembly. One has to offer Naat according to Government's
official and some times funny situations happen. Some times we are
asked to offer Naat in 15 minutes even if the Naat is of 5 minutes
and sometimes we are asked to offer only one stanza
Q: Are you more attracted to Qirat or
Sana Khawani?
Qari Hamid Mehmood Qadri: Previously I was only
doing Qirat but when I started Sana Khawani, I started getting
appreciation. So my tendency increased towards Sana Khawani. I have
released a Video CD recently. But Qirat is my basis and I feel
content reading Qirat.
Q:
People have started treating Naat Khawani as a profession. do you think
it is a healthy tradition according to the teachings of Islam?
Muniba Sheikh: In a way you are very right. People have started
treating it as profession. The main reason is that for most of the
people it is the only mean of earning. They have dedicated their lives
towards this field, so they also have to support their families due to
which they have to adopt it as a profession. I think there is no
hindrance as far as Islam is concerned because at the time of our Holy
prophet the trend of giving gifts had started to the people who used to
perform Naat Khawani .So the people who can afford, they don't adopt it
as profession but these people who are of course needy becomes
professional as it is the only source of income. So there is no harm in
my opinion to demand money for the same if it is only the source of
income.
Q: Have you written any Naat or Hamd by yourself? Have
you given your work any physical shape in the form of a book?
Muniba Sheikh: No I haven't written my own Hamds and Naats
because writing Naat is very difficult and is a very big art, which
every body doesn't possess. I haven't given the Hamds and Naats recited
by me any physical shape in the form of a book but many cassettes and
CDS of mine have been released. They have become very popular by the
grace of God as well and I am very happy about it. I am also very happy
that I have also been given the Pride of Performance Award as well.
Q: How did you feel when you were given the Golden
Jubilee award?
Muniba Sheikh: In my view performing Naat Khawani is itself a
very big art and credit. When I was awarded the Pride of Performance, I
was of course overjoyed, as I was also the very first lady to get this
award. At that very moment I decided that I would go to Khana-e-Kaba and
thank Allah fro his blessings. Even before getting this award people
have appreciated and given me so much love that it is more than any
award, which a person can get. I think it is all my luck and a very big
gift from Allah.
Q: Ladies now days
opt for going on a 40 day Ijtama, leaving behind their families
including small children for the sake of Allah. So do you think this
is right according to the teachings and preachings of Islam?
Muniba Sheikh: No, in a way I would say that this is not
right. For ladies, if their families constitutes small children,
they shouldn't go leaving them behind just for the sake of Allah
Islam never preaches that ladies should go leaving every thing
behind. As a matter of fact, Islam is the only religion of the
world, which has given the highest rights to the women. As a mother,
as a wife, as a sister, as a daughter, the woman enjoys the highest
privilege and honor comparing with any other religion of the world.
But if we speak about the rights, then there are duties as well and
these duties have also been defined very clearly by Allah in His
Holy Book and by our Holy Prophet as well. Islam stresses much on
the family life and the family for a woman constitutes her children
and her husband. To leave behind the children and husband for the
sake of Allah has never been asked and it is not confirmed from any
source. The woman has certain duties to fulfill with respect to her
husband and children and thus leaving behind these duties is wrong.
First these duties are to be fulfilled and then if the husband
allows, a woman then only can go.
Q: Do you have any complaints against PTV that it
has not played a sufficient role to promote Sana Khawanee?
Muniba Sheikh: No I don't have any complaint against PTV.
It has played its role although a little less as compared to Radio,
but I must say, it has fulfilled its responsibility. It has provided
a medium to us. We have won so many awards through PTV, it has given
us the exposure all over the world where PTV transmission is viewed,
it has given us name and most of all, it has provided a chance to
express our love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH). I have won many
international awards through PTV platform, people recognize me due
to PTV so what else. I think that PTV has played a significant role
in promoting Sana Khawani in the country.
