From what started as a simple journey on the unpaved roads of Damascus, Syria, to the bright stage lights of Royal Albert Hall in London, England, SHAAM has filled the world with their bright voices and spiritual message. Pioneers in the field of nasheed, SHAAM has succeeded in reviving traditional aspects of Islamic Culture through the classical nasheeds they perform in languages such as Arabic and Urdu. That, coupled with their original English composition, which have received critical acclaim, SHAAM has touched the world with their lyrical quality and spiritual upliftment.

Composed of group members, Haroon Bashir, Mahmoud Norris, Yasin Alam, and Imran Bashir, SHAAM has transcended generations in bringing reviving Islamic culture in the West through their art form.

Although, as a group, they were together much before
the year 1997, it was not until then, during the recording
of their first album, that group member Haroon Bashir
chose the official name SHAAM that would stay with the
group for years to come. That first album, “The Mystic
Call”, which was release in September 1997, was truly
an international album, having been recorded across 2
continents and in 3 languages. The nasheeds chosen for
“The Mystic Call” were ones which had the most impact
on SHAAM as a group during the process of learning
and listening to them. It was their hope that these
nasheeds would have the effect on Muslims worldwide,
prompting them to record them on their debut album.
Dhakal Adheem in particular is a song which emotionally
moved the group, convincing them to include it on this
compilation.

“The Mystic Call” completed production in the UK
in the summer of 1997. Immediately following the
completion of their debut album, SHAAM proceeded to
begin their work on an all Urdu album entitled, “Baade
Sabah”. Recorded in all a cappella, Fasalaw Kaw Takalluf
quickly became a group favorite, even amongst member
Mahmoud, a non-urdu speaker. To this day, that song
is remembered as one that brought tears to the eyes of
group members upon performing and reflecting upon its
meaning. Another song, from the album “Baade Sabah”,
being featured on this compilation is Medina Medina
Medina. During the course of selecting tracks for this
compilation, Medina Medina Medina was not part of
the original selection, until, after listening to it after so
many years, group members Imran and Yasin were so
moved that they concluded it must be included in the
final selection.

Though simple in their production, it was those first
two albums, “The Mystic Call” and “Baade Sabah”,
that assisted in spreading the message of SHAAM. In
addition, it was the release of those two initial albums
that catapulted a simple dream to a wondrous reality as
SHAAM began performing in key events throughout the
United Kingdom. As SHAAM began to rise in popularity in their homeland, many began to take notice, including a world renowned charity by the name of Islamic Relief.

Islamic Relief, one of the most well respected charities in
the world, is where SHAAM was given the opportunity to
help in alleviating poverty in the world. It was in October
1997 when management from Islamic Relief approached
SHAAM with the idea of producing a nasheed album
for charity. SHAAM was delighted at the idea, and were
keen to take part in this, first of its kind initiative. In April
1998, SHAAM’s charity album, “Our Children, Our Future”
was launched simultaneously with Islamic Relief’s
Orphan Welfare program. A series of prolific events were
put together to showcase SHAAM’s release, and Islamic
Relief’s new program. Taking place across the United
Kingdom, in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford,
and Glasgow, these events propelled SHAAM to the
top of the nasheed market in the United Kingdom. In
addition, “Our Children, Our Future” proved to be a hit
amongst fans, and newcomers alike, raising substantial
amounts of money for the Orphan Welfare program.

The production of “Our Children, Our Future” was done
in the spiritual hours of the night, between Eisha and
Fajr, and spanned a pattern of 5 months. One of the
tracks from this album, Rasul’Allah Habib’Allah, carries
a lot of sentiment with it, as it was written about the
most famous orphan of all, the Prophet Muhammad
Mashi Binurillah was a song that received great audience
reaction, mostly due to its positive message. The
meaning was relevant to the topic, to give a message of
hope no matter what difficult times one may face and
to remind us we are all “Walking in the way of Allah”.
The track that captured the true message and essence of
the album, however, was the title track, “Our Children,
Our Future”, which has stood the test of time, in its
continued inclusion in charity events around the world.
The album, “Our Children, Our Future” was a limited
edition album, and once sold out, was never reproduced.
For that very reason, SHAAM has chosen to include
tracks from “Our Children, Our Future”, on this album,
so that those who have not had the opportunity to hear
them, will finally have that chance.

In 1999, SHAAM followed up their massive success
with Islamic Relief, by releasing their fourth album in 2
years, entitled “Revelations”. By the time it came around
to record this album, the SHAAM sound had found its
mark. The nasheeds from this album continue in popularity
amongst fans, and for that reason, are all included
in this compilation. The two that stand out the most are
Li Ajlil Habib and Lonely Families, which was written
at the time of the Bosnia and Kosova atrocities, a very
powerful nasheed in its meaning. SHAAM’s last album to
be released before a three year hiatus was Marhaban Ya
Ramadhan. This album was release in time for the month
of Ramadan, and included three Ramadan nasheeds in
Arabic, English, and Urdu.

During their three year hiatus, SHAAM took time to tend
to their personal lives, and delved into learning. A lot of
searching was done during these years, which proved to
be exactly what was needed. Even with SHAAM taking
a break from their work in nasheeds, Allah had willed
that they should continue their work in dawah. In the
following years, SHAAM would release hit albums such
as, “Mercy Like the Rain” and “Spring Has Come” as
well as go on to perform in some of the most prestigious
venues in the world. Truly, it was the early years of
SHAAM that prepared them for the future.

1. Dhakal Adheem The Mystic Call Arabic 4.43

2. The Message The Mystic Call Arabic/English 2.39

3. Fasalaw Kaw Baade Sabah Urdu 4.41

4. Medina Medina Medina Baade Sabah Urdu 3.17

5. Khusravi Achi lagi Baade Sabah Urdu 3.44

6. Habib-e Khuda Agaey Hein Baade Sabah Urdu 7.43

7. Rasul Allah Habib Allah Our Children Our Future English 4.13

8. Walk In The Light Of Allah Our Children Our Future Arabic 4.29

9.I'm Your Guest Our Children Our Future Arabic 4.32

10. Tala 'Al Badru Alaina Our Children Our Future Arabic 4.40

11. Our Children Our Future Our Children Our Future English 4.54

12. Li Ajlil Habib Revelations Arabic 2.26

13. Ya Rabu Ya Rahman Revelations Arabic 4.36

14. Badru Min Revelations Arabic 5.20

15. Ya Imam Al Rusuli Revelations Arabic 3.36

16. Lonely Families Revelations English 3.16

17. Welcome Ramadhan Marhaban Ya Ramadhan English 5.08

18. Marhaban Ya Ramadhan Marhaban Ya Ramadhan Arabic 5.19

SHAAM would like thank the following for their support during the Early Years
and the compilation of this album:Allah Almighty for bestowing upon us this
gift, the continuous years of endless blessings, may peace and blessing be upon the most praised one Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad RasulAllah (S).

Brother Moeen Shubib, Amjad Hamza, Jahangeer and the whole Human Appeal Team for sponsoring this project, Saeed Mahmood for his sincere advise and friendship over the years, Our friends and companions who have
supported and worked with us throughout the years, Riaz Surti & the Surti family, Darren Wood, Tom Lowry of Planet Studios, Samera Khaleel vocals for Welcome Ramadhan, Mrs Tahira J Razzaq Lyrics contribution for Welcome Ramadhan, Little Giants, our dear friend Dr Gulrez Sheikh, Atif Saghir (Zero
Flash), Mohammed Shahed Alam (Jackie), Matthew Edward Green (Matty Boy) for being the lad, Simon Limmerick, Andrew Sparkes, Rob Blakeney (Duude)! Jon Cotton & Rebbecca of Artisan Music, Wali-Ur-Rahman of Awakening, Dr Hani El Banna, Jehangir Malik, Fadi Itani, Yusuf kasujee, Aflaq Suleiman of Islamic Relief, Ruh al-Alam, Sabina Jabeen, Zahra Bashir, Jamilah Bashir, Saqib of White Canvas, Sister Sayyida, Dr Zahoor Qureishi, Islamic Soceity of Britain, Young Muslims, Young Muslim Organisation (YMO), Muslim Council of Britain, Naeem Raza (Glasgow), Br Shouqat or best known as (Shhoooqat from Glasgy), Br Naeem (Glasgow), Imran (Scotty), Q-News, Sidi Aftab Malik, Dr Sultan, Abdur Rahman Resam, Hussein Al Rowni, Abdul Aziz, Muath Welfare Trust, Br Raqeeb and the whole team at Hijaz Community.

We would like to offer our sincere gratitude to all the organisers of the countless events, who at a time when Nasheeds were unknown afforded us the opportunities and the stages to share our Nasheeds with the masses,
without whom we would not be where we are today, May Allah (swt) bless you all and fulfil your every need in this World and the Akhirah,
(Amin)