The Qasīdat al-Burda: The Poem of the Mantle in Praise of the Prophet

The Qasīdat al-Burda (the Poem of the Mantle), more commonly known as The Burda, is one of the most celebrated poems in praise of the Prophet ﷺ. It was composed by Imam al-Būṣīrī in the 7th century Hijri and has become one of the most frequently recited and memorized works of devotional poetry across the Muslim world.

Its full title is al-Kawākib al-Durriyya fī Madh Khayr al-Barīyya (The Celestial Lights in Praise of the Best of Creation).

The suthor, Muhammad b. Sa‘īd b. Hammad b. Muḥsin b. ‘Abd Allāh b. Sanhāj b. Hilāl al-Sanhājī al-Būṣīrī., was of Berber descent but was born in Dalās, Egypt in 608 AH.

As a young man, he moved to Cairo, where he memorized the Qur’an and studied the foundations of Arabic and Islamic law, known as the Sharī‘ah. He supported himself by inscribing calligraphy on tombstones, a skill for which he became well-known.

Al-Būṣīrī later held public positions, including as a clerk in Balis, but his sharp satirical poetry against corrupt officials brought him into conflict with the elite. Disillusioned, he abandoned state work and returned to Cairo, where he opened a school for children.

Eventually, he settled in Alexandria, a city renowned for its scholarship and Sufi circles. Immersed in prophetic biography and devotion, he dedicated his poetic talent entirely to praising the Messenger of Alllah

Al-Būṣīrī passed away in Alexandria in 694 AH (1295 CE) at the age of 87. He was buried there in a small zawiya that later became a mosque named after him.

May Allah have mercy on him and grant him the company of His beloved ﷺ.

The poem is most widely recognized by its recurring refrain, often sung between verses:

The Burda is divided into ten chapters. Al-Būṣīrī begins by expressing his deep love for the Prophet ﷺ and his regret for past sins. The central chapters describe the Prophet’s ﷺ life—his birth, miracles, the Qur’an, the Night Journey, and his struggles in the path of Allah. The final chapters are heartfelt supplications, seeking the Prophet’s ﷺ intercession and Allah’s mercy.

It has nine chapters.

1. Nostalgic Rhapsody

2. Warnings about the Desires of the Ego

3. Praise of the Prophet

4. The Prophet’s Birth

5. The Prophet’s Miracles

6. The Qur’an’s Excellence

7. The Night Journey and Ascension

8. The Prophet’s challenges

9. Seeking Intercession through the Prophet

10.   Supplication and Petition of Needs

Al-Būṣīrī once suffered from a debilitating illness. Seeking forgiveness from Allah and intercession through the Prophet ﷺ, he composed the Burda. After completing it, he had a dream in which the Prophet ﷺ draped his blessed mantle (burda) over him. Upon waking, Al-Būṣīrī found himself completely cured. This miracle gave the poem its enduring name.

Although Al-Būṣīrī’s poem is the most famous, the original Burda was composed by the Companion Ka‘b ibn Zuhayr. Before embracing Islam, Ka‘b had used his poetry to attack the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims. Later, after repenting and accepting Islam, he composed a moving poem in praise of the Prophet ﷺ and recited it before him. Moved by his words, the Prophet ﷺ cast his mantle over Ka‘b. From then on, his poem became known as al-Burda.

Today, “Burda” or “Burda Sharīf” may refer to either poem. It has been translated into many languages and remains a cornerstone of Islamic devotional literature.