manqabat means A Sufi devotional poem in praise of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of Muhammad, or of any Sufi saint.
Why “manqabat” is a great word
A Sufi devotional poem, particularly in South Asian traditions, composed in praise of Ali ibn Abi Talib or other Sufi saints, from Hindustani منقبت / मनक़बत (manaqbat), ultimately from the Arabic root ن-ق-ب (n-q-b), with the singular form منقبة (manqabah) meaning 'virtue, merit, praiseworthy quality'. Unlike a *na'at*, which is reserved solely for the Prophet Muhammad, or a *marsiya*, which dwells in the tragic elegy of Karbala, the manqabat celebrates the luminous virtues of saints and the spiritual lineage of Ali. It is the rhythmic thrum of the dholak in a crowded shrine, the scent of rose petals scattered over a tomb, the gathered breath of a congregation rising in call-and-response—a thread of sung praise stitching the earthly to the divine, invoking a living presence through the very virtues from which it draws its name.
Etymology
From Hindustani منقبت / मनक़बत (manaqbat).
noun
- A Sufi devotional poem in praise of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of Muhammad, or of any Sufi saint.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- marsiya 83% match — an elegiac poem written to commemorate the martyrdom and valour of Hussain ibn Ali and his comrades of the Karbala' in the Battle of Karbala vs manqabat →
- durood 81% match — Salawat; The uttering of specific phrases to compliment the prophet Muhammad and his family whenever he is mentioned or encountered in a text. vs manqabat →
- qawwali 81% match — A style of Muslim devotional music, especially among the South Asian Sufis, accompanied by drums and harmonium. vs manqabat →
- nasheed 80% match — An Islamic musical composition, typically performed a cappella, focusing on religious, spiritual, or moral messages. vs manqabat →
- bhajan 79% match — A type of Indian devotional song. vs manqabat →
- dargah 79% match — A shrine associated with the grave of a Muslim saint or similar religious figure. vs manqabat →
- ziara 79% match — A visit to a holy place; a pilgrimage. vs manqabat →
- silsila 78% match — Lineage or genealogy, in Arab contexts. vs manqabat →