Naʽat (Bengali: নাত and Urdu: نعت) is poetry in praise of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. The practice is popular in South Asia (Bangladesh, Pakistan and India), commonly in Bengali, Punjabi, or Urdu. People who recite Naʽat are known as Naʽat Khawan or sanaʽa-khuaʽan. Exclusive "Praise to Allah" and Allah alone is called Hamd, not to be confused with 'Na'at'.[1][2][3]
In Arab countries, lyrics and praises said for Muhammad are called madih nabawi.
History
One early author, Hassan, was known as Shair-e Darbaar-e Risalat. Before converting to Islam he was a poet, and after converting he started writing Na'ats in honor of Muhammad.[4] His poetry defended Muhammad in response to rival poets who attacked him and his religion.[5][6]
Talaʽ al Badru ʽAlayna is a traditional Islamic poem known as nasheed recited to Muhammad when he moved to Medina in 622 CE.[7]
Language
Commonly the term naʽat shareef (exalted poetry) is reserved for poetry in the praise of Muhammad. In Arabic, na'at is usually called madih (praise) or nasheed (poetry), although the latter can describe any type of religious poetry.
