Manqabat

Manqabat is a Sufi poetry written or recited in praise of Sufi Saints or pious personalities in Islam. Recitation of Manqabat in praise of Sahaba, Panjatan Pak, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (R. A) and other Mashayikh is very popular in an Indian subcontinent. The group of artists who recite Manqabat are known as Manqabat Khwan(s). Recitation of Manqabat is an important tradition of Sufi Khanqah's and shrines. This tradition is not only confined to Sunni Islam, but also regarded by Shias.

History

Author Karen G. Ruffle mentioned in her book, "Every day Shi'ism in South Asia", that Hazrat Amir Khusro (Rahmatullah Alaih) brought the Manqabat in praise of Maula Ali (R.A) to India. 

Quli Qutub Shah Dakkani is regarded as one of the Manqabat Khwan who laid the foundation of Urdu Manqabat which was later developed by other Manqabat khwans such as Mir Taqi Mir and Mir Muhammad Rafiq Sauda.

References

• Trivedi, Madhu (2010). The Making of the Awadh Culture. Primus Books. ISBN 978-81-908918-8-2.
• Ruffle, Karen G. (2021-04-20). Every day Shi'ism in South Asia. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-119-35715-5.
• Eisenlohr, Patrick (2018-06-08). Sounding Islam: Voice, Media, and Sonic Atmospheres in an Indian Ocean World. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-97076-2.