‘The Dawn’ begins our journey into the soul of Sami Yusuf’s repertoire. Masterfully arranged, this original composition by Sami Yusuf incorporates both Eastern and Western modal systems. A seamless marriage of the Orient and the Occident (representing Sami Yusuf’s own identity), it pushes through boundaries and incorporates instruments from the eastern and western parts of the Islamic world. We hear the distinct sounds of Persia, Ottoman Türkiye, Egypt, Syria, and the Far East, before moving west to Greece and Andalusia. The sounds join at times yet each individual land’s voice is heard. On this musical odyssey we perceive that the love of the sacred unites us all and that our destinies are intertwined.

Released in 2003, and composed when Sami Yusuf was 23 years old, ‘Al Mu’allim’, a pure song in praise of the Prophet (pbuh) that extols the highest aspirations in the Islamic soul, touched and lifted hearts with its inspiring message and captivating music, and the song spread throughout the Islamic world like wildfire. It shot to number one on the music charts in Türkiye and throughout the Arab world and it catapulted Sami Yusuf to unprecedented fame. The song was genre-defining and responsible for a whole new wave of spiritual music in the Middle East and beyond.

From the album The Centre (released in 2014), ‘Pearl’ takes us on a spiritual journey. The pearl is at the heart of this journey, the hidden beauty that is revealed once we peel back these layers of self discovery. Lying in darkness at the bottom of a deep ocean, protected by a hard shell, the pearl is waiting for anyone with the determination and patience to find it. This song was inspired by the beautiful hadith Qudsi (#15): “And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.” The Bible verse, “Ask and it shall be given; seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened”, (Matthew 7:7) is also reflected in the lyrics.

This song was written in honour of the great Indian Sufi age, Mu‘in ad-Din Chishti (d. 1236). It was composed by the Sabri Brothers from a compilation of poems and melodies associated with him. The music and lyrics have been modified in this rendition: the words are sung entirely in Arabic about the love for the blessed Prophet (pbuh), his household and companions. The song is on Sami Yusuf’s 2016 bestselling album Barakah that celebrates over one thousand years of sacred Islamic music.

Also from Sami Yusuf’s 2016 Barakah album, this song was written by the Moroccan poet Sidi Othman ibn Yahya Cherki (known as “Sidi Bahloul Cherki”) in the 17th century. The qasidah (ode) “Fiyyashiyya” became a standard classic of the Maghrebi genre of malhoun— a genre of Sufi music popular amongst tradesmen in the urban centers of what is today Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This qasidah continues to be one of the best-known and loved traditional songs amongst Moroccans from all walks of life. The inclusion of tanbour and daf gives this new arrangement a Persian or Khorasani touch. Sami Yusuf has also added English lyrics to the song.

This original instrumental composition by Sami Yusuf was written for tanbour and ensemble. Featuring dazzling solos, it embodies the essence of Khorasani sound, particularly that of the province of Lorestan, in its forceful driving rhythms and spiritual exuberance. Rich in its power, it awes the listener with its echo of Divine Majesty.

‘You Came to Me’ is a deeply emotional and personal piece composed by Sami Yusuf in 2008 and released in 2010. It was the first single from the album Wherever You Are, the first solo album on his own label. It remains one of his most watched videos on YouTube with over 30 million views.

‘Jaaneh Jaanaan’ resonates with the tones of a tradition of divine love poetry in Persian that has resounded through the hearts of lovers for a millennium. ‘Jaaneh Jaanaan’ is an intimate conversation with the true Beloved, whom the bewildered poet sees everywhere. The song speaks of earthly beauty, of the spiritual guide, and of God Himself, for all true love is ultimately love of the Divine. This song is on the 2014 album The Centre and beautifully incorporates the tanbour and Persian daf as well as other Eastern percussive instruments.

‘Sari Gelin’ is an Azerbaijani folk song that is hugely popular around the world, particularly in Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and the Persian-speaking world as well as in Uzbekistan, Armenia, Greece, Bosnia, Serbia, and elsewhere. There are many traditional versions of this hauntingly emotional melody that has been sung for hundreds of years. Here Sami Yusuf has created the first English version of this beautiful love song based loosely on translations from earlier variations. As we listen we realise that the longing expressed in this folk song, with its pure and simple melody, evokes the longing of the soul for the sacred.

Although the exact origins of this qawwali are unknown, it is sometimes sung to revere the 12th-c. Sufi saint, Fariduddin Masud Ganjshakar (or Baba Farid) of the Indian subcontinent. A direct descendant of the second caliph of Islam, ‘Umar ibn Khattab, his poetry is also included in the Guru Granth Sahib — the most sacred scripture of Sikhism. Not only are the verses of this qawwali based on his teachings, but the opening verse of the qawwali, ‘Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum’ were the last words Baba Farid uttered. It is related that on the 5th of Muharram, in the year 1266 (according to the Gregorian calendar), Baba Farid became unconscious after the ‘Isha (evening) prayer. When he regained his consciousness, he inquired of those present, “Have I offered my ‘Isha prayer?” Although those present answered in the affirmative, Baba Farid replied, “Let me offer it once more for I may not get another chance.” So, he performed ablution again and offered the ‘Isha prayer a second time. Then he fell unconscious once again. On regaining consciousness, he once more performed his ablution and said the ‘Isha prayer for a third time. Whilst still in prostration, he uttered,“Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum”, and his soul left his body. That is why, for hundreds of years, this qawwali has been sung at the death anniversary of Baba Farid.

This love poetry in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), originally in Urdu, was performed and popularised by the legendary qawwali singers the Sabri Brothers. Sami Yusuf changed the lyrics to English with an Arabic chorus. His version, from his 2003 album, Al Mu’allim, is a favourite with his listeners.

Arguably the most endearing and popular of Sami Yusuf’s songs, it is actually a cover of a traditional piece, ‘Mollā Mammad Jān’, which dates back to over a century ago and originated in Khorasan in what is now known as Afghanistan. This version is a traditional rendition of the 2005 hit with Sami Yusuf singing in the original Persian as well as Turkish, Urdu, and Arabic.

This piece is from Sami Yusuf’s bestselling album released in 2016, Barakah, that celebrates over one thousand years of sacred Islamic music. ‘Mast Qalandar’, which has been popular in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, is based on a poem by the scholar, Sufi poet and musical genius, Amir Khusro, and later modified by the great Punjabi Sufi poet Bulleh Shah. The song’s lyrics honour and revere (but do not worship) Ali ibn Abi Talib as well as the famous 12th century Sufi saint of Sindh, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

This most famous poem of the 8th century female Sufi saint of Iraq, Rabi‘a al-‘Adawiyyah, has been set to music many times, but this Andalusian melody, which draws the listener to look within, fits the tone and rhythm of the poem beautifully. The inclusion of the tanbour and daf add a Persian influence to the piece.

‘Khorasan’ was inspired by the stories “In Baghdad Dreaming of Cairo: In Cairo, Dreaming of Baghdad” by Rumi, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Sometimes the treasures we are looking for are already within us, but it can take a long journey far away to discover this. Khorasan is a historical region of Persia that provides the destination of this spiritual journey, where we discover the answers to the secrets of this world were inside us all along. ‘Khorasan’ can be heard on Sami Yusuf’s 2014 album The Centre.

Sami Yusuf released this single in 2012 in support of the World Food Programme’s emergency efforts to respond to famine in Horn of Africa. The project was called Live Feed Africa and all monies raised from the song were dedicated to victims in the Horn of Africa. It marked the start of many ‘Live Feed Campaigns’ (Live Feed Philippines, Live Feed Syria) aimed at humanitarian relief.

This song was written in order to convey the traditional understanding of healing, which is not limited to the physical or to the medical sphere. A smile and the kindness it transmits can bring about healing. Our recognition of our common humanity and essential values even through the simple but profound sign of a smile can lift hearts and ease the burdens of life. ‘Healing’ was a hugely successful single released in 2010 and is featured on the album Wherever You Are that was released the same year.

Throughout history humankind has always been drawn to fire; it provides warmth, protection and a place to gather. It is the symbol of community where ‘it warms from every side’ regardless of who we are or what we do. A fire has a meditative quality where we can gather our thoughts, talk to our friends and make new ones. Even the most solitary journeys require the help of others at times and the fire is a place where we can find that help. This compelling song of community, acceptance and encouragement is on Sami Yusuf’s 2014 album The Centre.

Throughout life there are times for contemplation and times for action. ‘Go’ is a call to action. While hesitation is the enemy of self-confidence, faith and belief, ‘Go’ inspires us to follow our dreams and listen to the “drum that beats from inside you, to the light that shines just to find you”. It is part of the 2014 The Centre album and features stunning tonbak and percussion solos.