Nasheed
A nasheed (Arabic: نَشِيد, romanized: nashīd, lit. 'chant', plural Arabic: أَنَاشِيد, romanized: anāshīd) is a work of vocal music, partially coincident with hymns, that is either sung a cappella or with instruments, according to a particular style or tradition within Sunni Islam.
For the former President of the Maldives, see Mohamed Nasheed.
Nasheeds are popular throughout the Islamic world. The material and lyrics of a nasheed usually make reference to Islamic beliefs, history, and religion, as well as current events.[1]
A nashīd performer is called a nashidist in English and munshid in Arabic (Arabic: مُنْشِد, romanized: Munshid, fem: Arabic: مُنْشِدَة, romanized: munshida, plural: Arabic: مُنْشِدِين, romanized: munshidīn).
Modern interpretations[edit]
A new generation of nasheed artists use a wide variety of musical instruments in their art. Many new nasheed artists are non-Arabs and sing in different languages. Some nasheed bands are Native Deen, Outlandish, and Raihan. Other well-known artists are Ahmed Bukhatir, Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens), Sami Yusuf, Junaid Jamshed, Maher Zain, Harris J, Siedd, Sulthan Ahmed, Humood AlKhudher, Hamza Namira, Atif Aslam, Raef, Mesut Kurtis, S'nada, Dawud Wharnsby, Zain Bhikha, Muhammad Al-Muqit, Mishary Rashid Al-Afasy, Abu Ali (Musa al-Umaira), Abu Abd ul-Malik (Mohsin al-Dosari) and Abu Assim.
Nasheed artists appeal to a worldwide Muslim audience and may perform at Islamic oriented festivals (such as Mawlid), conferences, concerts and shows, including ISNA.[5] Other artists and organisations such as Nasheed Bay promote an instrument-free stance, differing from the current trends of the increasing usage of instruments in nasheeds.
Many Shia groups such as Hezbollah don't follow the ruling of musical instruments in Islam. Their nasheeds are filled with drums and extreme autotune.[6] In Alawite nasheeds, the singer mostly shouts and praises Ali. Some Bosnian nasheeds during the Yugoslav Wars were sung within the genre turbofolk.
Propaganda[edit]
Nasheeds are also used to spread propaganda. A notable example is from a Taliban nasheed called This Is the Home of the Brave.
The Islamic State (ISIS) is known for the use of nasheeds in their videos and propaganda, notable examples being the chant Dawlat al-Islam Qamat ("The Islamic State Has Been Established"), which came to be viewed as an unofficial anthem of ISIS,[7] and Salil al-sawarim ("Clashing of Swords").[8]