Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi - An Auto Biography
In a world where voices chase fame, Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi’s tale comes out as a beacon of dedication, discipline, and spiritual art. From a child memorizing the Quran in Lahore to an internationally recognized Qāri and beloved Naat‑khawan, his life epitomizes what it means to commit one’s voice to the service of faith and love.
Early Life and Family Heritage - Waheed zafar Qasmi
Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi was born in Lahore, Pakistan, on 25 May 1962. He belonged to a respectable family that had a long tradition of Quran recitation and Islamic learning. His father was Qari Zahir Qasmi, an eminent Qāri; several other relatives also gained prominence as well-acknowledged Quran reciters. This heritage provided a deeply rooted environment of spiritual learning and devotion from a very young age.
He had been precocious in the study of the Quran from a very early age. Indeed, according to reliable sources, from about the age of 6 or 7 years, he began reciting the Quran, studying Qirāʾat, and beginning the memorization of the Holy Book. At the age of nine, he is said to have committed the whole of the Quran to memory, a feat extremely seldom achieved at such a tender age, and thus had become a Hafiz.
This melting together of family tradition, early exposure to religious scholarship, and youthful zeal created in him the foundational bedrock for what would be a long and influential career in Quran recitation and devotional poetry, commonly called Naat.
Rise to Prominence: Recitation, Competitions and Broadcasting
As he grew older, Waheed Zafar Qasmi started to participate in national and international Quran‑recitation competitions on behalf of Pakistan. Based on some sources, he first won a competition in Malaysia in 1969, while during later years, he had fruitful performances in other countries such as Libya in 1979, Saudi Arabia in 1980, and Syria in 1981.
These early laurels helped establish him as a serious, truly gifted Qāri whose recognition had spread beyond national boundaries. His recitations, commended for both technical control and soulful delivery, started to attract attention beyond the immediate religious circles.
It is since then that he became identified with broadcasting: he joined radio stations and came to be heard through programmes on radio and subsequently television. According to some accounts, one of his earliest public appearances was indeed through a programme called “Sar-Chashma-e-Hidayat.” This exposure gave his recitations and voice wider popularity both within the country and abroad, helping to spread the classical tradition of Quranic recitation to newer generations.
By the time Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi reached his teens and early adult years, he was already a master Quran reciter and had established his dual identity as a rising voice in religious broadcast media.
Transition to Naat‑Khawani and Spiritual Artistry
Though rooted in Quranic recitation, Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi found an abiding calling in Naat‑khawani, reciting devotional poetry in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Over time, this dimension of his craft became as defining for him as his Quranic recitation.
His voice, often described as melodious, calm, reverent, and spiritually resonant, along with his mastery over Tajwīd and the technique of recitation, helped him render the naats with a blend of devotion, technical control, and emotional depth. This made him cherished across generations-from listeners who heard him on early radio broadcasts to newer audiences who, for the first time, were discovering his naats through audio recordings and online shares.
He could also recite in both Urdu and Arabic, which expanded his reach, enabling him to address various audiences across linguistic and national borders.
He mastered Quranic recitation and Naat‑khawani to bridge the gap between traditional religious scholarship and the arts of devotion necessary to preserve the genres for future generations.
Notable Works and Popular Naats
Over decades of recitation and singing, Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi compiled an enriching repertoire of naats and recordings. The most famous among them is Allah Hu Allah Hu, at times considered one of his earliest and most popular naats. Another highly famous naat is Faslon Ko Takalluf Hai Hum Se Agar, which stirs deep emotions in many of the listeners. Similarly, Zahe Muqaddar stands out from his cherished recitations. Other than these, his discography includes several other naats, some classical and some modern, in Urdu and Arabic, which together reflect a wide thematic and emotional range-from praise and love for the Prophet to deep spiritual longing, hope, humility, and devotion. Other than naats, he has also recorded complete Quranic recitations, including greater surahs and complete Quranic recitations, mostly through audio archives and Islamic portals.
These recordings have continuously served spiritual inspiration, recitation practices, and devotional reflections for listeners and have made his voice timeless in many households and spiritual circles.
Recognition, Honors and Public Standing
In 1984, the President of Pakistan conferred upon Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi, the Pride of Performance, a prestigious civilian award, for his service in Quranic recitation and Naat‑khawani. This recognition underlined not only his status as a talented artist but also that of a cultural and religious ambassador whose work entered hearts, communities, and public life beyond mere recitation. Over the years, his influence has extended beyond performance: many young reciters and naat‑khawans cite him as an inspiration, shaped by his style, devotion, and the dignity with which he carried his art. His legacy thus spans not only his own body of work but also the generations he inspired, ensuring the continuity of classical recitation and devotional poetry both in Pakistan and around the world.
Legacy: The Voice That Bridges Generations
Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi’s life and work reflect a rare blend: deep traditional scholarship handed down through family, youthful dedication to memorizing the Quran, competitive success on international platforms, and a heartfelt embrace of devotional poetry through Naat‑khawani. What distinguishes him is the spiritual cogency in his recitations, be it the perfectly articulated Tajwīd of Quranic verses or the emotionally full rendition of naats. Many listeners describe his voice as not one that simply recites but touches hearts, evoking feelings of reverence, love, longing, and spiritual connection. His ability to perform in Urdu and Arabic, an extensive discography comprising Quranic recitations and naats, and the honor of national recognition all secured a unique place for him in the cultural-religious landscape of Pakistan. Decades into his career, his recordings continued to inspire, console, and uplift the devotees, Quran students, and lovers of devotional poetry. Beyond that, by encouraging younger reciters and contributing to the preservation of the classical traditions of Qirāʾat and Naat, he has contributed to a living legacy-one that transcend persons, connecting generations through voice, faith, and devotion.
Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi: Voice of Devotion and Legacy
In a world where voices chase fame, Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi’s tale comes out as a beacon of dedication, discipline, and spiritual art. From a child memorizing the Quran in Lahore to an internationally recognized Qāri and beloved Naat‑khawan, his life epitomizes what it means to commit one’s voice to the service of faith and love. His recitations, whether Quranic verses or devotional naats, are not merely beautiful works of art but bridges: between man and the divine; between the classical tradition and the modern listener; between hearts across generations and geographies. For those looking for solace, spiritual upliftment, or even the aesthetic of devotional recitation, Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi’s works remain a treasure. His tale, born of faith, honed by discipline, and taken to heights by voice, inspires legacy and unwavering commitment to spiritual art.
Frequently Asked Questions About Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi
What are some famous Naats or recitations of Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi?
Has he received any awards or official recognition?
Why is he popular among listeners and what is special about his recitation?
Can people still find his works (Naats or Quran recitations) today?
What is Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi doing nowadays?
Other Post
Zah E Muqaddar Naat Lyrics
Zah E Muqaddar Naat Lyrics Zeh-e-Maqdar, Hazoor Haq Se Salaam Aaya, Paiyam Aaya زہے مقدر حضور حق سے…
Ho Karam Sarkar Naat Lyrics
Ho Karam Sarkar Naat Lyrics This naat is a heartfelt expression of deep love, faith, and emotional longing…
Syed Zabeeb Masood
Syed Zabeeb Masood — An In‑Depth Portrait of a Leading Naat Khawan Syed Zabeeb Masood’s journey reflects more…