The Mevlidi Sherif

The Mevlidi Sherif is one of the most commonly recited poems in the world today. Composed by the esteemed scholar and poet Süleyman Chelebi in the 14th century, this masterpiece of Turkish literature elegantly conveys the birth-story of the Prophet Muhammad, interweaving both the physical and spiritual dimensions of this narrative, gracefully reviving faith in the hearts of all who are privileged enough to listen.



Venerated for over 600 years by the Muslims of Anatolia and the Balkans regardless of devotion, this classic poem continues to lend its treasures almost every day, both at times of festivity and sorrow. For some, it is celebrating the love of the Prophet, a source of inspiration and wisdom, while for others it is one of the few religious experiences connecting them to their Ottoman heritage, culture and identity.



This edition features the only known English translation written almost a century ago, and is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the sacred nativity of the Prophet Muhammad and the origins of His noble legacy.



"The fact that the Mevlidi Sherif, as the finest expression of reverence for Muhammed, forms an essential part in the religious pattern of most Turkish minds, and that from its striking pictures and musical lines many Turks draw a large part of their stock of religious ideas, may give this poem interest and significance even for many who have little direct contact with the world of Islam. Remembering what the music of Christmas carols means to the Western world may help to an understanding of what the Turk experiences as he listens to the music of Süleyman Chelebi's Mevlidi Sherif."

- F. Lyman MacCallum