Qasidah al-Ishriniyyah fi Madhi Khair al-Bariyyah (A poem of twenty rhyming verses praising the best of humankind)

Abstract

This manuscript is titled Qasidah al-Ishriniyyah fi Madhi Khair al-Bariyyah, popularly known as Ishriniyya (or Ishriniyyat). The poem was originally written in Arabic by Sheikh Abu Zayd Abd al-Rahman ibn Yakhlaftan ibn Ahmad al-Fazazi (popularly known as Al-Fazazi). The etymology of Ishriniyya is from ‘Ishreen – meaning twenty, and Ishriniyyat -- the twenties. This work is named as such because the poem consists of sets of twenty rhyming verses for each letter of the alphabet. It was believed that Sheik Al-Fazazi composed them in Cordoba in the year 604/1207-8. A poet and mystic, Sheikh Al-Fazazi died in Fez, present Morocco in the year 627AH/1230CE). The Ishriniyya is among the most celebrated and popular poems for the Prophet Muhammad, especially among Muslim communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The author of the current Nupe Ajami manuscript -- Sheikh Alhaji Abdurrahman Aboki had written the poem in both Arabic and Nupe Ajami using Arabic script, followed by Nupe Latin script. The Nupe Ajami version of Ishriniyyah is a large book which contains the complete Arabic version of the poem, alphabetically arranged. Each letter addresses specific themes that go back to an applause, praise, and commendation for Prophet Muhammad (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him). Unlike most Ajami manuscripts in sub-Saharan Africa that use the Maghribi style of writing, Sheikh Abdurrahman Aboki uses the Mashriqi style to write his book. In an interview with the author, he explained how daunting the task was, yet he was determined to accomplish his mission in 2010 C.E.. The book cover includes the image of the author.