On a spring evening on May 22rd, 1844, Siyyid Ali-Muhammad announced that He was the bearer of a Divine Revelation whose aim was to prepare the world for “Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest,” a Messenger of God known as Baha’u’llah. Baha’is refer to Siyyid Ali-Muhammad by His title, the Bab, which is Arabic for “the Gate,” and that eventful evening is celebrated every year by Baha’is around the world.
٤٤ (44) – An Arabic Devotional Album Based on the Writings of the Bab
Salman Rafeei has created a four track album in honour of the Declaration of the Bab based on His writings. It’s English title is 44. I was initially struck by the cover art, and was then won over by the music itself! Salman kindly agreed to tell us about it:
Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hello, my name is Salman Rafeei. I’m 23 years old and from Bahrain. I’m a musician who grew up in a musical family that always supported my journey in music. I try to live a coherent and balanced life between music, sports, my professional pursuits, and spiritual growth by placing service at the centre. I believe that when service is the foundation, it brings harmony and purpose to all areas of life and helps me grow both spiritually and intellectually.
Could you tell us a little bit about your album?
Musician Salman Rafeei
This album is a humble offering inspired by the sacred Writings of the Bab. It features four tracks, each accompanied by an instrumental version for those who may wish to chant on their own or with others.
It’s dedicated to the Declaration of the Bab, a sacred moment in history that took place on the evening of May 22nd, 1844. The cover artwork includes the number 44 in Arabic a symbol of that historic event and a reference to the unfolding of God’s message to humanity.
What makes this album special is the spirit of collaboration behind it. Many generous and talented friends contributed their time and creativity through sound design, visuals, and overall support. That collective effort added depth and beauty, and I’m truly grateful to everyone who played a role.
Above all, this album is an offering an invitation to listen, reflect, and connect with the words of God through music.
What inspired you to create it?
I used to chant prayers at devotional gatherings, and every once in a while, someone would say, “You should record this and share it with others.” After hearing that a few times, I began to reflect on the idea. I also noticed that there aren’t many recordings of prayers in Arabic available, and I thought it would be meaningful to create something in that space. I included instrumental versions of each track to encourage others to chant as individuals or in groups.
What’s something you learned while recording the album?
I learned a lot, especially on the technical side. Recording music is a detailed process; you go deep into adjusting volume levels, effects, and fine-tuning everything which I had a lot of help from friends. But most importantly, I learned how crucial it is to pronounce the words of the prayer correctly. Arabic is a beautiful but complex language, and even though it’s my native tongue, I found it challenging to articulate each word with precision. That process taught me a lot about reverence and attention to detail.
What do you hope listeners take away from the album?
I hope listeners feel spiritually uplifted and enjoy the music that accompanies the prayers. More than anything, I hope the prayers can help people connect deeply to reach a place of spirituality and reflection where their souls feel nourished.
In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.
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