Zain Bhikha (born 9 August 1974) is a South African singer-songwriter, who has achieved success as a performer of Islam nasheed songs. Associated with other Muslim musicians, including Yusuf Islam and Dawud Wharnsby, Bhikha has collaborated on albums and also released several solo albums. He has written several religious albums concerning Islam.
Bhikha sometimes performs with a drummer and several backup vocalists who were the African singers in the Disney cartoon movie The Lion King. Bhikha did not himself contribute to that film.
Bhikha's music almost exclusively follows Islamic themes, with only voice and drums being used, since the use of musical instruments other than the voice and the drum is an area of debate in Muslim jurisprudence, considered harām, or "unlawful" by a portion of the Muslim community.
Current work edit:
Bhikha is currently involved in educational projects in his native South Africa as well as international initiatives to educate through song. He is also working with Indian Islamic Channel, Peace TV.
On 24 April 2008, Bhikha participated in an international annual singing competition on the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, named the Al Mahabbah Awards Festival, in Abu Dhabi. Bhikha was accompanied by the aforementioned drummer and backing singers. One song they performed was "Peace Train", composed by Yusuf Islam.
