Man Kunto Maula

Man Kunto Maula is a Manqabat Qawwali song composed by Amir Khusro in the praise of Ali ibn Abi Talib. This song is based on a hadith, i.e. a saying of Prophet Mohammad:

Whoever accepts me as a master, Ali is his master too[1]

Man Kunto Maula
shaah-e-mardaaN
sher-e-yazdaaN
quvvat-e-parvardigaar
laa fatah illaa Ali
laa saif illaa zulfiqaar

King of the brave,
lion of God,
[and] strength of God.
There is no one like Ali [and]
there is no sword like Zulfiqaar*.

* Zulfiqaar was the sword of Ali presented to him by Muhammad.

Ali imaam-e-manasto manam Ghulaam-e-Ali
hazaar jaan-e-giraamii fidaa-e-naam-e-Ali

Ali is my master, I am the slave of Ali
thousands of lives can be sacrificed for the sacredness of name of Ali.

man kunto maulaa
fa haaza Aliun maulaa

To whom I am the master
Ali is the master.

Note: A famous tradition (hadith) of Prophet Muhammad. Ali was his cousin and son-in-law.

daaraa dil daaraa dil daar-e-daanii
tum tum taa naa naa naanaa, naanaa naanaa re
yaalaalii yaalaalii yaalaa, yaalaa yaalaa

Dar – Bheetar, Aandar (inside) Dara – Andar Aa (get in or come inside) Dartan – Tanke Aandar (inside the body) Tanandara – Tanke Aandar Aa (Come inside the body) Tom – Main Tum Hun (I am you) Nadirdani – Tu Sabse Adhik Janata Hai (You know more than anyone else) Tandardani – Tanke Aandarka Jannewala (One who knows what is inside the body)

Tanan Dar Aa - Enter my body. O Dani - He knows Tu Dani - You know. Na Dir Dani - You are the Complete Wisdom. Tom - I am yours, I belong to you. Yala - Ya Allah Yali - Ya Ali.[2]

Ali shaah-e-mardaaN imaamun kabiiraa
ke baad az nabii shud bashirun naziiraa

Ali is the king of the brave and the great leader
because after the Prophet, there is Ali.