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Mawlid, Mawlid an-Nabi or Milad al-Nabi (Arabic: مولد، مولد النبي، ميلاد النبي) is the celebration of the birthday of Muhammad, the final prophet of Islam; also known as "the seal of the prophets". Sunni Muslims celebrate this day on the 12th of Rabi'-ul-Awwal in the Islamic calendar; whereas Shi'a Muslims celebrate this day on the 17th of Rabi'-ul-Awwal, coinciding with the birth date of the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq. Muhammad was born around 570 CE and died in 632 CE. During his life, he established Islam as a religion and, in doing so, sought to replace tribal loyalty with equality among Muslims.

It has been suggested that Muhammad practised the Mawlid an-Nabi himself because he would fast every Monday, the day on which he was born. However, he also used to fast on Thursdays; and, in fact, he would fast on many days throughout the year. Fasting is a major act of piety in Islam; and whoever fasts is highly rewarded by Allah.

It is generally believed that the celebration of Mawlid an-Nabi was first observed around 13th century CE. Some conservative sects today consider the celebration to be idolatrous, but the vast majority of Muslims celebrate the Mawlid with great dedication. Processions are held, homes are decorated, delicious food is prepared and distributed, stories about the life of Muhammad are narrated by learned people of Islam and poems are recited by children. Madih nabawi may also be performed.

Mawlid in the Western Calendar

While Mawlid is always on the 12th (Sunni Islam) or 17th (Shi'a Islam) of Rabi'-ul-Awwal in the Islamic calendar, the date on the Western calendar (the Gregorian calendar) varies from year to year due to differences between the two calendars, since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar. Furthermore, the method used to determine when each Islamic month begins varies from country to country. (For details, please see Islamic calendar.) All future dates listed below are only estimates:

• 2003: May 14 (Sunni), May 19 (Shi'a)
• 2004: May 2, May 7
• 2005: April 21, April 26
• 2006: April 11, April 16
• 2007: March 31, April 5
• 2008: March 20, March 25
• 2009: March 9, March 14
• 2010: February 26, March 3
• 2011: February 15, February 20
• 2012: February 4, February 9
• 2013: January 24, January 29
• 2014: January 13, January 18
• 2015: January 2, January 7
• 2016: December 22, December 27
• 2017: December 11, December 16
• 2018: November 30, December 5
• 2019: November 19, November 24
• 2020: November 8, November 13
• 2021: October 28, November 2

Source

• Islamic Holy Days

External links

• Mawlid

Muslim holidays and observances

Muslim New Year | Festival of Muharram | Aashurah | Imamat Day | Arba'een | Mawlid

Imam Musa al Kazim day | Lailat al Miraj | Shab-e-baraat | Ramadan | Laylat al-Qadr | Eid ul-Fitr | Eid ul-Adha