Naat refers to poetry in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The practice is popular in South Asia (Bangladesh, Pakistan and India), commonly in Urdu, Pashto, Bengali or Punjabi language. People who recite Naat are known as Naat khawan or Sana’a-khua’an. Exclusive “Praise to Allah” and Allah alone is called Hamd, not to be confused with ‘Naat’, which contains “praise to the Prophet Muhammad”. In Arab countries, lyrics and praises said for the Muhammad (PBUH) are called Nasheeds.
History
It is difficult to trace the history of Naat khawani since no authenticated record of when it was initiated can be found.
Once there was famine of rain in Arab. Your Grandfather Abdul Mutlib picked Muhammad (PBUH) along with the wall of Khaaba and prayed to Allah for rain and it began to rain at this occasion he recited this verse…
یستسقی الغمام لبیاض وجھہ
ثمال الیتامی و عصمۃ للارامل
“The rain is desired with the help of his (Muhammad) shining face.
You (Muhammad) are the hostage of orphans and virtue for widows”
In another place an early author, Hassan bin Sabit, was known as Shair-e-Darbaar-e-Risalat. Even before accepting Islam he was a poet, but after embracing Islam he gave a new turn to his poetry and started writing Naats in honor of Muhammad (PBUH) He was famous for his poetry that defended Muhammad in response to rival poets that attacked him and his religion. Therefore, Hassan is known as the first Sana-khawaan (Naat reciter) of that time. After that many a poet followed this trend and totally dedicated themselves to writing Naats.
Tala’ al Badru ‘Alayna, a song was sung by the innocent girls of Banu Najjar to Muhammad during his completion of migration to Medina in 622 CE, is believed to be one of Naat the earliest Naats. Most of Sahabaz recite Naat in the praise of Hazrat Muhammad (SAWS). They considered it a very close way to get pleasure of Allah. In the Holy Quran, the Allah has also praised his Rasool for more times. In the history of Islam there are many poets who served in this field and earned a great name due the sacred way. Abdul Rehman Jami was a great poet and Naat khawan.