THE legendary Muhammad Ayyub MBE founded the British Asian music industry and devoted more than 50 years towards it in different ways. While he released commercial songs that influenced, inspired and shaped different generations, he remained connected to his Muslim roots with spiritual music throughout his life. His many landmarks in that regard included discovering the great Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and releasing music by the most magnificent Sufi artists of all time. He currently hosts a weekly religious show on Islamic channel Takbeer TV. In a Ramadan special, Eastern Eye got Muhammad Ayyub to choose 10 spiritual releases close to his heart. He said: “Most of the music I have selected, in no particular order, are connected to my childhood in some way or have made a lasting impression.” Wohi Khuda Hai by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: The late great maestro sang this in such a way that it enabled the listener to understand how they feel about the Almighty. There is so much feeling in his vocals. Ajj Sik Mitran Di by Azam Chishti: These are the words of a great Sufi saint from centuries ago. When I was a child, he was the only one being played everywhere on the radio. I also have fond memories of listening to it live as a child in my hometown in Gujarat. Shah-e-Madina by Saleem Raza and Zubaida Khanum: This is from 1957 Pakistani film Noor-e-Islam. I used to listen to this naat on the radio. I remember as a youngster, we used to listen to it every morning during Ramadan and I think it was almost like an anthem at the time. Muhammad Ka Roza Qareeb Aa Raha Hai by Junaid Jamshed: This was delivered by Junaid Jamshed in his soulful voice after he converted from a…
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