Introduction of Mr. Sabeeh Ud Din Sabeeh Rehmani:
To be blessed with a good voice and then to have the
opportunity to perform Naat in front of a huge audience sure is a great honour.
Sabeeh Ud Din Sabeeh Rehmani is one such blessed person. He has recited
Naats since his childhood and has also composed various Naats which are famous
worldwide. He also holds a Masters degree in Political Science.
Do you think getting awards is a good motivation for a
Naat Khawan, like it is for people from other fields, & helps them perform
better?
Sabeeh Rehmani: Yes, of course, who doesn't
want to be appreciated for doing good work? The Canadian Government has given me
an award and it is a pleasure for me. Awards are a form of appreciation; they
boost confidence and help perform better.
What is the procedure of selecting Naat Khawans by Radio
and Television? Are there auditions, short listings & selections on merit in
this field as well?
Sabeeh Rehmani: Naat Khawans to my perception
should be selected according to certain criteria. In the past, Radio used to be
an institute where according to certain standards a person would be selected as
a Naat Khawan. The scenario is altogether different now. No such standards
prevail now. Just anybody is selected to read Naat. No importance is given to
special Kalam, good voice and the pitch, etc. Nowadays Naats are also being
composed on song tunes, which are paying all the more disrespect and degradation
to the field of Naat Khawani. The media should keep a close watch on such things
and try to maintain its standard so that respect is paid to such a honorable
field. Auditions and short listings should be continued like it was done in the
past so that a standard and authenticity is maintained.
How are Naats recorded? Are there retakes and editing
like in other television programs?
Sabeeh Rehmani: Actually, no. We do lot of
rehearsals and practice sessions, therefore there is no need for retakes or
editing when recording Naats.
Do you think the media has been fair in promoting music
so much and Naat very little, comparatively?
Sabeeh Rehmani: The media has an intense impact
on the people. Since we are a Muslim nation, there is a need to show such
programs on TV. But the media authorities say they dont get sponsors for
religious programs. On the other side if a musical program runs, it gets good
sponsors
The tragedy is that we havent tried to create Islamic culture
in our country. We do present programs of Naats and Hamds but the due coverage
this field deserves is not being given as yet. In Gen. Zia Ulhaqs time Naat
Khwani was promoted a lot. Since then not much work has been done. What we can
to do is to make it a need of our lives and I am sure we will be able to give
Sana Khawani a prominent place in the media and also a permanent place in the
hearts of the people.
Since you write Naat as well, what
are your feelings when you are writing a Naat?
Sabeeh Rehmani: Writing a Naat is a big
responsibility. I have very different feelings when I write a
Naat. Before writing a Naat I think about Rasool (P.B.U.H.), his
pure character, his lifestyle, his love towards Allah, his
Hadiths, the problems he faced, the environment around him, etc.
I sit at one place and then I imagine. Believe me, it creates a
connection between pure environment around Rasool (PBUH) and
myself. I feel very relaxed and pure, no concern with the
outside world. When I reach this stage I start writing Naat with
all my heart, keeping the standards of Naat. After finishing, I
can feel the difference between the state while writing and
after it. It is amazing.
How would you compare the standard of yesterday Naats
with those of today?
Sabeeh Rehmani: The standard has definitely
changed. Naats of yesterday were far better than those of today.
Previously people used to recite Naats for making a relation
with our Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). This used to be the scenario of
Urdu Naats. The standard of Arabic and Farsi Naatshas not
deteriorated but the standard of Urdu Naats has certainly
deteriorated.
What are the different types of Naats?
Sabeeh Rehmani: There are three types of Naats. First
of all, Islahi Naat, which is basically about
the Holy Prophet PBUH: the second type is Maqsadi Naat,
which again is about the Prophet and has deep meaning: and
finally Riwayati Naat contains historical facts
and is recited in love for the Prophet.
Each category has various subcategories, but all of them are
recited to show deep love and respect for the Prophet.
Who do you think are the best Naat Khawans of your era?
Sabeeh Rehmani: I think every Naat Khawan has
created his own impression and style. Some Naat Khawans try to
copy others who are famous in this filed but still they have
maintained their identity. In Karachi there are quite a few new
Naats Khawans who are doing well and have become popular among
masses like Khalid Hussain, Zulfiqar Ali and Rashid Azam.
Other renowned Naat Khawans are Saeed Hashmi, Qari Waheed Zafar.
Siddiqui Ismail, Khursheed Ahmed and Faseeh uddin Soharwardy
Is it right to compose Naats on tunes of popular songs?
Sabeeh Rehmani: Naat has its own dignity.
Making Naats on tunes of popular songs distract ones
concentration and diverts his attention towards the song. It
spoils the real purpose of saying Naat, as tunes blows mind of
listener to the song to which the tune belongs, it kills the
influence of words.
Is it right for
women to recite Naats so loudly on the media as well as in
Mehfill-milads?
Sabeeh Rehmani: According to Islamic point of view,
women are not allowed to let their voice go out of the house even.
To further elaborate this statement, faithfulness to Islam is very
necessary. But according to the present culture, this has become a
need for the viewers and listeners. One thing should be improved
which is really against the ethics of Islam, that is ladies are now
asked to sit with men on the stage and perform Millads together.
This should not go on. I strongly believe that separate millads
should be held for both and ladies should not be asked to perform
Millads with men.
Have you given your Naats any physical shape?
Sabeeh Rehmani: I have recorded three video CDs up
till now and two audio CDs. One, however is in the recording process
and will be out in the market soon, InshAllah.
Does any Naat Khawan inspire you?
Sabeeh Rehmani: I personally like the style and
delivery of Saeed Hashmi and Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi.
After doing MA in Political Science, how did you think of
joining this field?
Sabeeh Rehmani: Actually Naat Khawani has got
nothing to do with your academic qualifications. I have been
performing Naats since my child hood although I did my Masters only
recently
You will find many a professionals performing Naats and Hamds. Naat
Khawani in itself is a great honor. If one has a good voice, he
should utilize his talent in this holy practice. Allah has blessed
us with good voice so its our duty to recite Naats and Hamds in the
honor of Allah and his Holy Prophet (PBUH).
It was a pleasure interviewing you in the holy month of Ramzan and
on a topic like Hamd/Naat. We have learned a great deal about Naat
for sure after this interview. C U On Net?
Sabeeh Rehmani: Thanks. C U On Net 2
Q: Naat Khawani is
certainly an Honor. Do Naat Khawans get the respect in our society
that they deserve?
Sabeeh Rehmani: Yes, people really love and give
respect to not only Naat Khawans but to every religious personality.
I think it is because of this love and respect that you called me,
Qari Waheed Zafar and other Naat Khwans.
Q: What should be done for the betterment
of Naat Khawani from Govt. stand and also from public stand?
Sabeeh Rehmani: The supervision from Govt. plays a
vital role. During the Government of Gen. Zia, lots of valuable
steps were taken. From the private sector, many organizations
arranged Naat Mehfils. National Bank arranged Naat competitions, PIA
also arranged some Naat programs and got recorded the cassettes of
Naat Khawans. Despite all this, there is still a lack of support,
sponsorship and line of action. People are yet unaware of Naat
Khawani. I think the Senior Naat Khawans may sit and think for its
betterment. Its a tragedy that there is still no arrangement of
training for new Naat Khawans. There should be a proper Naat Khawani
courses designed by senior Naat Khawans
Q: Do you plan to start any training
institutes for upcoming Naat Khawans?
Sabeeh Rehmani: Basically I am not a Naat Khawan. I
am working on three fields: Naat Goee, Naat Khawani and research on
Naats. I am also running a Naat Research Centre. So along with
these activities I am unable to start any training institute. But in
future, if I get chance, I would definitely offer my services for
making of Naat Khawani courses.
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