Ayman Muhammed
Ayman is best described as a creative across multiple disciplines, ranging from photography, graphic design and poetry. He was part of the critically acclaimed hip-hop duo ‘The Planets’, who broke barriers by working with a number of high profile American artists, releasing their first album in 2002. It was through this formative period that Ayman developed his love for writing and would often weave in elements of his faith into his music.
The Journey Begins
His first exposure to the spiritual path of Islam was via a book which came to affect him deeply and opened the door to an aspect of the faith he knew little of. Shaykh Nazim’s ‘Mercy Oceans Book 2’, was a glimpse into the teachings of a spiritual master and gave Ayman an insight into Islam beyond simply rules and rituals.
In his mid 20s, Ayman began a journey of studying Islam, inspired by the time he had spent with Shaykh Babikr Ahmed since he was 19, in particular during the Shaykh’s long standing and famous Saturday night Dalā’il al-Khayrāt gathering in Cricklewood Mosque, London. It was during these gatherings that the world of spiritual poetry – Qasā’id – slowly began to reveal itself.
The Shimmering Light
Today, Ayman is part of a group in Nottingham which reads Habīb ʿUmar bin Hafīz’s Shimmering Light mawlid on a weekly basis, having now done so for over 15 years. This period led him to discovering the teachings of the Habā’ib from Tarim through a number of yearly visits to the UK by Habīb ʿUmar and Habīb Kādhim as-Saqqāf. The works of Imam al-Haddād were particularly key in Ayman’s exposure to this Yemeni tradition.
Morocco and Tarim
His time in 2019 in Morocco and Tarim studying Arabic opened his eyes to a new variety of traditional devotional poetry and the centrality of these poems to the spiritual life of a Muslim. It was during this time that the seeds for the contents of Breezes of the Elect were planted, which Ayman played an integral part in. With a professional background in design and communications, Ayman contributed to the selection of qasā’id, the overall design of the book and helped in editing the translations. He then led on the online promotion, which saw Breezes of the Elect become an Amazon best seller.
The New English Mawlid
Forthcoming from Ayman is his first original poetry compilation, which features a new English mawlid written in the style of Habīb ʿUmar’s Shimmering Light. The book will also contain original poetry intended to be read and sung.
As part of the Sacred Sounds Retreat, Ayman delivers a five part poetry writing course intended to inspire and motivate beginners in their first steps towards creative writing from a spiritual perspective.
Poetry in Practice Writing Course
Ayman’s poetry writing course for beginners includes:
Poetry in Islam
From the pre-Islamic period to the first generation
Poetry Techniques
Essential ways to add flair to your writing
Writing With Purpose
Developing the why and the how
Using Meters
How forms add benefit and structure