Ali is the Lord of those whose Lord I am!

The first Imam Hazrat Ali was appointed as as his successor by Prophet Muhammad at Ghadir e Khumm when he declared: He of whomever I am the Master, Lord – Mowla, Ali is his Master, Lord – Mowla! Imam Ali plays a pivotal role in the spiritual lives of his followers as do his successors and we are blessed to be led by the 49th Imam! Alhamdulillah!

“Man Kunto Mowla”, a part of a famous statement of the Seal of Prophet, upon him be peace, which is, “Man kunto Mowla, fa Ali-yun Mowla” – meaning ‘Whoever accepts me as master, Ali is his master’.

Amir Khusru is one of the iconic figures in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent. A Sufi mystic and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi, Amir Khusro was a notable poet and musician of the 13th century. He has been termed as the “father of qawwali” (the devotional music of the Sufis). He is also credited with enriching Hindustani classical music by introducing Persian and Arabic elements in it, and was the originator of the tarana style of music. The classical music tradition in both India and Pakistan traces its roots to poet and musician Amir Khusro, who composed the earliest ragas. The invention of the Indian tabla (percussion instrument) is usually attributed to Amir Khusro.

This poem by Amir Khusraw is based on the Hadith, i.e. a saying of Prophet Mohammad: “Whoever accepts me as a master, Ali is his master.”

From my Gadhir-e Khumm page as this Hadith is very popular, it needed highlighting on a page of its own.

Man kunto Mowla Ali yun Mowla

— Ali is the Lord of those whose Lord I am.

Arabic Calligraphy Depicting Man Kunto Mowla (also typed as Maula, Mawla, Mavla, Mevla) Man qunto Mowla fa Ali yun Mowla - Amaana.org

Man Kunto Mowlahu fa Aliyun Mowla which was declared by the Holy Prophet at Ghadir e Khumm and is translated – Whoever accepts me as master, Ali is his master. Mowla – Master, Lord. Whilst listening to the audio, read the lyrics at the left to understand and enjoy what is being said. It will have a profound effect on your soul and physical senses!

Man kunto Mowla Qawaali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and others

Man Kunto Mowlahu fa haza Aliyun Mowlahu Qawaali by Sabri Brothers

Man Kunto Mowlahu fa haza Aliyun Mowlahu Qawaali by Riyaaz Qawwali

Haq Ali Ali Mowla Ali For your auditory and sensory pleasure! Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan performing Haq Ali Ali Haq – live qawwali concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil – July 1994

An amazing kalaam written by Amir Khusraw – This qawaali sung is by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and many other Qawaali singers – see video links under the calligram below.

Lyrics with English translation:

Shah-E-Mardaan, Shair-E-Yazdaan,
Qoowwat-E-Parwardigaar,
La Fata illa Ali,
La Saif illa Zulfiqaar

King of the brave, the Lion of God
The Strength for The Lord,
There is none like Ali,
There is no sword like Zulfiqaar

Man Kunto Maula
Fa haza Ali-yun Maula

Whoever I am master to,
Ali is his Master too.

(Abstract Sufi Chants follows)

Dara Dil E Dara Dil E Dar E Dani
Hum Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Om Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Yalali Yalali ala, Yala Ray
Tanana Tanana Tanana Tanana
Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray…

Enter into the heart,
Enter into the heart,
Melt therein, You and me
Sing inside in sweet melody.

Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula

Master is Ali,
Master is he

Har Qalb Ali, Jism Ali, Jaan Ali Hai
Ik BeSar-O-Samaan Ka Samaan Ali Hai
Imaan Ka Matlaash E Ye Imaan Keh Doon
Iman To Yeh Hai Mera Imaan Ali Hai
Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula

My heart, my body and soul is for Ali
Fulfillment for me the unfulfilled, is Ali
Oh ye who seek faith, on faith hear me
The secret of faith is this, that all faith is Ali
Ali my master, my lord Ali

Haider-E-Um Qalandaram Mastam
Banda-E-Murtaza Ali Hastam
Peshwa-E-Tamaam Rindanam
K Sag-E-Koh-E-Shair-E-Yazdanam
Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula

A Haidari (Haidar is a title for Imam Ali), a mystic drowned in devotion am I
Nothing more than a humble servant of Ali-e-Murtaza (Ali the Lion) am I
And yet the foremost amongst all mystics am I
For a dog laying in the street of my lord Ali, am I

——–

An amazing kalam written by Amir Khusraw and Qawaali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Lyrics with English translation:

Shah-E-Mardaan, Sher-E-Yazdaan,
Qoowwat-E-Parwardigaar,
La Fata illa Ali,
La Saif illa Zulfiqaar

King of the brave, the Lion of God
The Strength for The Lord,
There is none like Ali,
There is no sword like Zulfiqaar

Man Kunto Maula
Fa haza Ali-un Maula

Whoever I am master to,
Ali is his Master too.

(Abstract Sufi Chants follows)

Dara Dil E Dara Dil E Dar E Dani
Hum Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Om Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Yalali Yalali ala, Yala Ray
Tanana Tanana Tanana Tanana
Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray…

Enter into the heart,
Enter into the heart,
Melt therein, You and me
Sing inside in sweet melody.

Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula

Master is Ali,
Master is he

My heart, my body and soul is for Ali
Fulfillment for me the unfulfilled, is Ali
Oh ye who seek faith, on faith hear me
The secret of faith is this, that all faith is Ali
Ali my Master, my Lord Ali

Haider-E-Um Qalandaram Mastam
Banda-E-Murtaza Ali Hastam
Peshwa-E-Tamaam Rindanam
K Sag-E-Koh-E-Shair-E-Yazdanam
Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula

A Haidari (Haidar is a title for Imam Ali), a mystic drowned in devotion am I
Nothing more than a humble servant of Ali-e-Murtaza (Ali the Favorite) am I
And yet the foremost amongst all mystics am I
For a dog laying in the street of my lord Ali, am I

Lyrics and English Translation by Jamil جميل

Shah-E-Mardaan, Shair-E-Yazdaan,
Qoowwat-E-Parwardigaar,
La Fata illa Ali,
La Saif illa Zulfiqaar

King of the brave, the Lion of God
The Strength of the The Lord,
There is no one like Ali,
There is no sword like Zulfiqaar

Man Kunto Maula
Fa haza Ali-un Maula

Whomever I am master to,
Ali is his Master too.

(Abstract Sufi Chants follows)

Dara Dil E Dara Dil E Dar E Dani
Hum Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Om Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Yalali Yalali ala, Yala Ray
Tanana Tanana Tanana Tanana
Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray…

Enter into the heart,
Enter into the heart,
Melt therein, You and me
Sing inside in sweet melody.

Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula

Master is Ali,
Master is he

Har Qalb Ali, Jism Ali, Jaan Ali Hai
Ik BeSar-O-Samaan Ka Samaan Ali Hai
Imaan Ka Matlaash E Ye Imaan Keh Doon
Imaan To Yeh Hai Mera Imaan Ali Hai
Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula

My heart, my body and soul is for Ali
Fulfillment for me the unfulfilled, is Ali
Oh ye who seek faith, on faith hear me
The secret of faith is this, that all faith is Ali
Ali my master, my Lord Ali

Haider-E-Um Qalandaram Mastam
Banda-E-Murtaza Ali Hastam
Peshwa-E-Tamaam Rindanam
K Sag-E-Koh-E-Shair-E-Yazdanam
Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula

A Haidari (Haidar is a title for Imam Ali which means Golden), a mystic drowned in devotion am I
Nothing more than a humble servant of Ali-e-Murtaza (Ali the Chosen of God) am I
And yet the foremost amongst all mystics am I
For a dog laying in the street of my Lord Ali, am I

Shah-E-Mardaan, Shair-E-Yazdaan,
Qoowwat-E-Parwardigaar,
La Fata illa Ali,
La Saif illa Zulfiqaar

King of the brave, the Lion of God
The Strength for The Lord,
There is none like Ali,
There is no sword like Zulfiqaar

Man Kunto Maula
Khwaja Ali-Un Maula

Whoever I am master to,
Venerable Ali is his Master too.

(Abstract Sufi Chants follows)

Dara Dil E Dara Dil E Dar E Dani
Hum Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Om Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Yalali Yalali ala, Yala Ray
Tanana Tanana Tanana Tanana
Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray…

Enter into the heart,
Enter into the heart,
Melt therein, You and me
Sing inside in sweet melody.

Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula

Master is Ali,
Master is

Ali Shaah-e MardaaN, Imaam-ul-Kabiira
ke ba’d az Nabii shud Bashiir-un-Naziira

Ali is the king of men, the great spiritual leader,
Cause after the Prophet he became
the bearer of glad tidings and Warner for mankind.*

Yeh soch na hi bass hae
Kaha kaha hae Ali?
Jaha jaha hae haqiqat, uha uha hae Ali
Idhar hae Zaat e Muhammad
Udhar hae Zaat e Khuda
Ini lati huyi hizaboka darme aae Ali Maula,
Maula Ali Maula Maula Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula

This shall suffice if you realize
at which station is Ali.
Wheresoever inner reality to be found,
there will be found Ali.
There is the mystery of Muhammad,
Here is the mystery of Lord,
and sitting at the secret threshold
is my master Ali.

Har Qalb Ali, Jism Ali, Jaan Ali Hai
Mujh BeSar-O-Samaan Ka Samaan Ali Hai
Imaan Ka Matlaash E Ye Imaan Keh Doon
Iman To Yeh Hai Mera Imaan Ali Hai
Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula

In every heart Ali, face is Ali, my life is in Ali
My faith is this that I have my master Ali
Master Ali, Ali is the Master.

Hoo ji Maula, Ho Maulaaa
jiss ne dekha mar hih gaya, teri chashm-e-siyah mein hai jadu
ghair ka dhoka mujh ko na dey, tujh mein mai aur mujh mein tu
aflaak se laayi jati hai, seenon mein chupai jati hai
tauheed ki mai sagar se nahi, aankhon se pilayi jati hai

Ahay, Mun Kunto Maula!
Ahay, Mun Kunto Maula!
Mun Kunto Maula, Fahaza Ali Maula
pohonch gaya hoon dar e yaar tak muqddar se
wagar na sub mere sajde idhar udhar hotay
Mun Kunto Maula! Maula

Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula

tere dar ke faqeer hein hum loag, kya ameer o kabeer hein hum loag
dono aalam ki qaid se aazad, aik tere aseer hein hum loag
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula

jiss ne dekha mar he gaya, teri chashm-e-siyah mein hai jadu
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
jiss ne dekha mar he gaya, teri chashm-e-siyah mein hai jadu
ghair ka dhoka mujh ko na dey, tujh mein mai aur mujh mein tu
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula

tere dar ke faqeer hein hum loag, kya ameer o kabeer hein hum loag
hum faqeeron se dosti ker lo, gur sikha dein ge baadshahi ke
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula

Saqi tujhe qasam hai janab-e-ameer ki
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula

Saqi tujhe qasam hai janab-e-ameer ki
behti phiray sharaab mein kashti faqeer ki
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula

hum tum tana nana re tana nana re
tin tum tana nana re tana nana re
tana deem tanana nana re
ta deem ta deem tana nana re
re tana nana re tana nana re
ta deem ta deem ta deem…
re tana nana re tana nana re
tana nana tanana tana nana re

“Tu mujh mein hai aur mein tujh mein hoon”
re tana nana re tana na nana nana re
tana deem tana nana ta deem ta deem
tana nana nana tha kir dheen dheen
tana deem tanana nana
mun kuno maula…

Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali
Ali Ali Dam Ali, Ali Ali Dam Ali
Ali Ali Dam Ali, Ali Ali Dam Ali
Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali Ali
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula
Ali Maula Maula, Ali Maula Maula

Video and Audio Files of this declaration:
Haq Ali Mowla Ali Ali Manaqib by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Man kunto Mowla Ali Mowla Manaqib by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan — my favorite! First ever Qawwali composed by Amir Khusraw
Man kunto Mowla Ali Mowla Rahat Fateh Ali Khan English commentary
Dam Mast Qalandar Qawwali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Man kunto Mowla Ali Mowla Sabri Brothers 3 Parts
Man qunto Mowla Snippet by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (.au file)