Introduction:
Arabic culture and Islamic tradition go hand-in-hand to produce a musical style familiar throughout the world today. Called nasheed, this style of music integrates Islamic hadith and Arabic language and culture to produce a smooth, unique, typically a Capella sound. These folk songs have been passed down by ear from person to person throughout the centuries. Listen above to popular nasheeds of 2013.
Cultural Interaction:
Since the Quran, the Islamic holy book, is written in Arabic, this displays a prominent example of how Arabic culture and Islam directly interact. This interaction holds true in Arabic music as well. Although the singing of the Quran is technically not considered "music," in Islamic society, nasheeds still follow traditional teachings of the book as well the hadith, or teachings of Muhammad.
History:
Evidence points to Arabic music beginning as early as 624 AD, just after the rise of the Prophet Muhammad and Islam in 610 AD. The wealth and prosperity brought by followers of Islam allowed for greater musical advances during the Islamic Golden Age from 800-1200AD. By 900 AD, musical instruments such as the Oud were introduced into the mix. Nasheed and Sufi are the two primary types of Islamic songs, mostly a capella but occasionally some scarce percussion is allowed. Islamic song is traditionally in Arabic only.
Modern Nasheeds:
Anasheed, usually shortened to nasheed, has been part of Islamic and Arabic traditions throughout history. Being passed through generations, Muslims have recited nasheeds in almost every part of the world. Simple nasheeds are sung in Islamic schools to young children, just as nursery rhymes are repeated in schools of the West. Early exposure to Islamic teaching through nasheeds are critical in the Islamic tradition. In early Arab cultures, nasheeds began as solitary vocal, or a Capella, chants. As Muslims travel to Asia, instruments became present. While some Muslims argue that traditional nasheeds are purely vocal with few additions of percussion instruments, the idea of instrumental nasheeds have become popular in western parts of the world.
The nasheed has become modernized with the influences of the West and the growth of the Internet. Popular singing show, like American Idol, and the presence of YouTube has alone spread the word of Islam through nasheeds. With this, the term munshid, anasheed singer, was born. While some Muslims do not promote this westernized notion of anasheed, this music form has spread the word of Islam through many nations.
References:
Mukhtar, Ahmed. "Introduction to Arabic Music." Ahmed Mukhtar. N.p., 26 Oct. 2008. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Cavendish, Marshall. "Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Cultures." Google Books. Paul Bernabeo, 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Peacenet Productions. "Arabic Nasheed Collection 2013." Video. Youtube.com. 11 Sept. 2013. 10 Dec. 2014.
Arabic culture and Islamic tradition go hand-in-hand to produce a musical style familiar throughout the world today. Called nasheed, this style of music integrates Islamic hadith and Arabic language and culture to produce a smooth, unique, typically a Capella sound. These folk songs have been passed down by ear from person to person throughout the centuries. Listen above to popular nasheeds of 2013.
Cultural Interaction:
Since the Quran, the Islamic holy book, is written in Arabic, this displays a prominent example of how Arabic culture and Islam directly interact. This interaction holds true in Arabic music as well. Although the singing of the Quran is technically not considered "music," in Islamic society, nasheeds still follow traditional teachings of the book as well the hadith, or teachings of Muhammad.
History:
Evidence points to Arabic music beginning as early as 624 AD, just after the rise of the Prophet Muhammad and Islam in 610 AD. The wealth and prosperity brought by followers of Islam allowed for greater musical advances during the Islamic Golden Age from 800-1200AD. By 900 AD, musical instruments such as the Oud were introduced into the mix. Nasheed and Sufi are the two primary types of Islamic songs, mostly a capella but occasionally some scarce percussion is allowed. Islamic song is traditionally in Arabic only.
Modern Nasheeds:
Anasheed, usually shortened to nasheed, has been part of Islamic and Arabic traditions throughout history. Being passed through generations, Muslims have recited nasheeds in almost every part of the world. Simple nasheeds are sung in Islamic schools to young children, just as nursery rhymes are repeated in schools of the West. Early exposure to Islamic teaching through nasheeds are critical in the Islamic tradition. In early Arab cultures, nasheeds began as solitary vocal, or a Capella, chants. As Muslims travel to Asia, instruments became present. While some Muslims argue that traditional nasheeds are purely vocal with few additions of percussion instruments, the idea of instrumental nasheeds have become popular in western parts of the world.
The nasheed has become modernized with the influences of the West and the growth of the Internet. Popular singing show, like American Idol, and the presence of YouTube has alone spread the word of Islam through nasheeds. With this, the term munshid, anasheed singer, was born. While some Muslims do not promote this westernized notion of anasheed, this music form has spread the word of Islam through many nations.
References:
Mukhtar, Ahmed. "Introduction to Arabic Music." Ahmed Mukhtar. N.p., 26 Oct. 2008. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Cavendish, Marshall. "Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Cultures." Google Books. Paul Bernabeo, 2011. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Peacenet Productions. "Arabic Nasheed Collection 2013." Video. Youtube.com. 11 Sept. 2013. 10 Dec. 2014.
Created by:
Morgan Humburg
Erin Hays
Megan Vanover
Sam Ballensky
Morgan Humburg
Erin Hays
Megan Vanover
Sam Ballensky