Album Notes

Zain Bhikha's Allah Knows is truly remarkable!

His latest work, Allah Knows, once again reunites him with friend and artist Dawud Wharnsby Ali. This album is dedicated to the journey of all children and was written specifically for Bhikha's eldest son Rashid, who also features on the album. It is a celebration of mellow sounds, purest harmony without any instrumentation and thoughtful lyrics, most of which were written by Bhikha.

One of the most outstanding tracks on the album is the heartwrenching "My Mum is Amazing", which has a real sting in the tail bound to draw tears. But there is also the smoothness of the title track: "Allah Knows", as well as the fun "Pizza in his Pocket" which is an inspirational Ramadan track for children with clever, bouncy lyrics and rhyths.

Bhikha is recognised as a pioneer in the genre of nasheed, one who is not afraid of a fresh approach, such as the inclusion of rap on the track "A Child's Prayer" and the hard hitting Anti-Drug Song: "Can't You See". Rap in nasheed has been vastly appreciated by Muslim youth, but older listeners, who are primary consumers of nasheed can rely on tracks like "Slowly Slow" and the ever inspirational "Deen il Islam". Zain Bhikha succeeds so smoothly in weaving these different types of music into his new album that it even the most conservative listener would find it hard to object.

His songs are mainly self written and are driven by emotion and the need to reassure people that there is always hope and turning to God is the answer to the core for our everyday questions and confusion. Many of his songs represent different times in his life when he is learning and remembering how necessary Allahs presence is. His songs provide young and old with an alternative to the modern music which often carries a destructive message.

Allah Knows is one of Zain Bhikha's best works to date. Well produced, insightful and deeply spiritual, it is an must have album for your nasheed collection.