Maqaam Rast and Kurd

The Maqamaat Series is brought to you by activist and educator, Sami Zaharna.

Maqaam Rast (رست)

Rast comes from the Persian word for a lion’s roar. It is very upbeat and forceful in its nature, and is particularly suitable to use when reciting verses concerning Allah’s creation and His beautiful names and attributes, as it brings out the magnificence of the subject. Listen to the key of the maqaaam below:

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This maqaam gained world prevalence with the recording and distribution of the recordings of Taraweeh (Ramadan night prayer) from Masjid Al-Haraam in the city of Makkah. Sheikh Ali Jaber was perhaps the first to make this melody really popular. Most of the Imam’s that followed him recited in this maqaam as well (Sheikh AbdulRahman Al-Sudais, Saud Al-Shuraim, Ali Al-Hudhaifi, etc). Below is a clip from Sheikh Ali Jaber (may Allah have mercy on his soul) reciting Surah Al-Teen

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The most popular rendition of this melody is easily the recitaiton of the Imam dynamic-duo combination, Saud Al-Shuraim and Abdulrahman Al-Sudais. Most young reciters copy their recitations verbatim. Below is a clip from Saud Al-Shuraim reciting the verses describing the servants of the Most Merciful:

Do you feel the powerful and majestic nature of this melody? I’ll leave you with my favorite recitation in this maqaam by Sh. Hani Al-Rifai:

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Maqaam Kurd (كرد)

The last maqaam we will discuss in this series is Maqaam Kurd. It is originally considered a branch maqaam of Bayati, but – due to its popularity in the past 5 – 10 years – has developed a reputation as an eighth maqaam. It is a very soothing and relaxing maqaam to listen to. The scholars of melody call it “The donkey of melodies” due to its ease of recitation. It is very easy on the vocal chords and you will frequently find that Imams resort to it when reciting for a long period (as in Ramadan for instance). Listen to the key of this maqaam below:

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The two reciters that can be credited for spreading this melody in the past 10 years are Sheikh Ahmad Al-Ajami and Shiekh Mishary Al-Afasy. They both rely on this melody more than any other. For instance, listen to this recitation of Surah Al-Insaan for Sheikh Al-Ajami. The chapter is all about Paradise.

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Here is a beautiful recitation for Sh. Al-Afasy from Surah Al-Israa

Alhamdulillah, we have now completed a brief introduction of the have 8 main maqaaams. Insha’allah in the conclusion we will share a few practical ways to benefit from this, and we’ll also have a surprise for you insha’Allah :)