Maqam Mahmud - Adhan (Hijaz)

Happy Islamic New Year 1443! "Oh Allah, Lord of this appointed time (to pray), grant Muhammad (S) the Wasilah (the means to intercede with You) and the Fadhilah (Your Bounty), and the Maqam Mahmud (the Praised Place) that You have promised him." This du'a made after the adhan refers to the lofty Maqam or "place" that the Prophet (S) has in Allah's eyes. This same word Maqam also refers to the scales of traditional Arabic music, which are used to recite Qur'an and sing Islamic songs (nasheeds). In this series, we will be sharing nasheeds in those diverse maqams, to highlight this rich and expressive tradition which has helped keep our ummah firm in our love for Allah and His Prophet (S) over the centuries. We are working on turning "Maqam Mahmud" into an album one day, in sha Allah. Let's begin with the adhan of our very own Shaykh Ahmed Elzaree at the beautiful Diyanet Center in Lanham, Maryland. He is reciting in Maqam Hijaz, named after the region of Arabia where the story of Islam began. When people think of Arabian melodies, this scale is often what comes to mind, and its use for the adhan may well be as old as when Sayyiduna Bilal (R) first recited it. Please subscribe and share this video so that more can join us on our journey through the beautiful maqamat or scales used in the Arab and Muslim world, and stay tuned for the next Maqam: Rast!