HISTORY OF NAATS

It is difficult to tell when Na'at Khawani started since no authenticated record of  it was found. On a more regularized basis, prophet Muhammad's (saw) companion Hassan ibn Thabit started this work. He was also 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 Na'ats in honor of prophet Muhammad (saw).^[1] He was famous for his poetry that defended prophet Muhammad (saw) 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.

Islamic poetry is rich in the praise of prophet Muhammad (saw). Rarely has there been any Muslim poet who has not written about him. This is mainly inspired from the Islamic Hadith that each act of veneration will result in ten blessings of God on the person who venerates.