Ṭala‘a l-Badru ‘Alaynā · O the White Moon Rose Over Us

Ṭala‘a l-Badru ‘Alaynā (طلع البدر علينا) is the oldest and perhaps most widely sung Islamic traditional song in the world. It was originally recited by the inhabitants of Medina to celebrate the arrival of the Prophet ﷺ. Some sources specify that it was the girls of the Banū Najjār clan who sang the poem. It is most commonly associated with the Hijra, the Prophet’s ﷺ migration from Mecca to Medina. However, several scholars have suggested – based on the position of the Wadā‘ valley mentioned in the lyrics – that the poem was actually first sung upon the Prophet’s return from the Tabūk expedition. Ṭala‘a l-Badru ‘Alaynā is sung by Muslims around the world, especially children. Over the years, there have been various extensions of the poem beyond the two original verses that are shown here. The most well-known translation into English is by Yusuf Islam, “O the White Moon Rose Over Us,” which retains the metre of the Arabic original.

Lyrics

– verse 1 –

طَلَعَ الْبَدْرُ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ ثَنِيَّاتِ الْوَدَاعِ
وَجَبَ الشُّكْرُ عَلَيْنَا مَا دَعَىٰ لِلّٰهِ دَاعِ

Ṭala‘a l-badru ‘alaynaa
min thaniyyaatil–wadaa‘(i)
Wajabash–shukru ‘alaynaa
maa daʿaa lillāahi daa‘(i)

O the White Moon rose over us
from the valley of Wadā‘,
And we owe it to show gratefulness
where the call is to Allah.

– verse 2 –

أَيُّهَا الْمَبْعُوثُ فِينَا جِئْتَ بِالْأَمْرِ الْمُطَاعِ
جِئْتَ شَرَّفْتَ الْمَدِينَةْ مَرْحَبًا يَا خَيْرَ دَاعِ

Ayyuhal–mab‘oothu feenaa
ji’ta bil-amril–muṭaa‘(i)
Ji’ta sharraftal–Madeenah
marḥaban yaa khayra daa‘(i)

O you who were raised amongst us,
coming with a Word to be obeyed,
You have brought to this City nobleness.
Welcome best caller to God’s way!

Audio Samples

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