Rais Anis Sabri Reimagines 13th-Century Sufi Classic ‘Nami Danam’ with New Urdu Single ‘Jahan Kal Raat Ko Hum The’

Centuries-old Persian poetry finds new life in Urdu, bridging spiritual depth with modern audiences.

[1st September] – Renowned young Sufi Qawwal Rais Anis Sabri is set to release his much-anticipated single “Jahan Kal Raat Ko Hum The” on September 6, 2025 — a soulful Urdu interpretation of the 13th-century Persian masterpiece “Nami Danam” by legendary Sufi poet Hazrat Amir Khusro. Over the years, Sabri has captivated Sufi music lovers worldwide with his commanding voice and spiritual intensity, earning him a place among the most distinguished young Sufiana Qawwals of his generation. The original poem opens with the iconic mystical line: “Nami Danam Che Manzil Bood Shab Jaaye Ke Man Boodam” (“I don’t know what place it was where I was last night”).

Celebrated for its profound spiritual insight, the poem explores the limits of human understanding in the face of divine mystery. The new Urdu adaptation, translated by Sulaiman Khateeb, aims to bring this message to a wider Urdu-Hindi-speaking audience while preserving the poem’s rhythmic beauty and metaphysical depth. Khateeb has succeeded in maintaining the original’s rhyme schemes, metre, and sonic integrity — a rare achievement in poetic translation.

Each couplet has been carefully crafted to retain its emotional power and spiritual resonance. “Sufi poetry often begins with the acknowledgement of not knowing,” says Rais Anis Sabri. “That humility is the gateway to deeper understanding. With ‘Jahan Kal Raat Ko Hum The’, my goal is to preserve that soul-stirring message while offering it in a language and voice that today’s listeners can truly feel.”

A child prodigy who began performing at the age of four, Sabri is the son and disciple of Rais Sabri and belongs to a respected lineage of Qawwals. He is best known for his mastery of the traditional Chishti Rang style of Sufiana Qawwali. With performances that span from India to Johannesburg, Sabri has become a powerful torchbearer of the genre, known for his emotionally evocative and spiritually rich renditions.

Presented by the Sulaiman Khateeb Trust, the track is produced by Khaja Khateeb and composed and music by Jaspal Moni. More than just a musical release, “Jahan Kal Raat Ko Hum The” is a cultural and literary milestone — a modern-day revival of classical Sufi thought through accessible language and contemporary sound. “Sufi poetry belongs to everyone,” Sabri adds. “Not everyone understands Persian, and it has always been my dream to bring this spiritual legacy into every household—through a language that touches the heart. This song isn’t just music—it’s our heritage, our shared spiritual history.” “Jahan Kal Raat Ko Hum The” will be available globally on September 6, 2025, across all major streaming platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.