Mawlid Al Nabi, also known as Mawlid Al Nabawi, Al Mawlid and Milad, is the day when tens of millions of Muslims across the world commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
It falls on 12th of Rabi’ Al Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. This year, on the Gregorian calendar, it falls on 15 September 2024.
While the day was not marked by the prophet himself, the occasion is celebrated in a majority of Muslim countries, with a number of them recognising it as an official public holiday, including the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sudan, and more. However, in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Mawlid Al Nabi is not a public holiday neither is it celebrated as there is a belief that the celebration of the prophet’s birthday is not encouraged in the Quran or its teachings. As the occasion is neither obligatory or outlined in Islamic teachings, some choose not to celebrate it. Some also believe it is an unnecessary innovation, and therefore believe it is inappropriate to celebrate.
However, many Muslims around the world celebrate the day by decorating their homes and streets, taking part in processions featuring drummers and religious songs played out over loudspeakers, and attending communal meals, and speeches in mosques recounting the life of the prophet. In some countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Pakistan, India and Indonesia, there are public Mawlid festivals or fairs, held days ahead of the day of Al Mawlid. Food and sweets such as sesame seeds, caramelised peanuts, pistachios and other sweetened nuts are sold to the public, which are especially popular with children. There are special Mawlid sweets known as Halawat Al Mawlid or Halawiyat made specifically for the occasion, similar to candy canes in Christmas. Turkish delight and ma’amoul, a biscuit stuffed with date paste or nuts, are also Mawlid favourites.
The 12 Islamic months
Every month on the Islamic calendar has a meaning and signifies or indicates the season. In addition to the well-known holy month of Ramadan, there are at least three other sacred or holy months, most of which forbid any form of fighting or conflict.
1. Muharram (Forbidden): A sacred month where battles and all kinds of fighting are forbidden (haram) during this month. Muharram includes Ashura, which is the 10th day of the month Muharram in the Islamic calendar. In 2020, it will fall on 21 August. Ashura commemorates the Mourning or Remembrance of Muharram, which marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein Ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was killed along with other family members and companions by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph on 10 Muharram in the year 61 AH.
Muslims may fast on the ninth and 10th days of the month. Muharram is one of the most holy months for Shia Muslims where they commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein with mourning processions and self-flagellation.
2. Safar (Void)
3. Rabi Al Awwal (The first spring): A holy month in which Prophet Mohammad was born. Mawlid Al Nabi Al Sharif falls on the 12th of the month.
4. Rabi Al Thani (The second spring)
5. Jumadá Al Ulá (The first of parched land)
6. Jumadá Al Akhirah (The last of parched land)
7. Rajab (Respect, honour): A sacred month in which fighting is forbidden. In pre-Islamic history, Arabs would remove the heads of their spears and refrain from fighting.
8. Sha’ban (Scattered)
9. Ramadan (Burning heat): Ramadan is the most venerated month of the Hijri calendar. The Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan. During this month, Muslims must fast from pre-dawn until sunset and should give charity to the poor or underprivileged. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
10. Shawwal (Raised)
11. Dhu Al Qa‘dah (The one of truce/sitting): A holy month during which war is banned. However, people are allowed to defend themselves if attacked.
12. Dhu Al Hijjah (The one of pilgrimage): During this month, Muslim pilgrims from all around the world congregate at Mecca to visit the Kaaba. The Hajj is performed on the seventh, eighth, ninth and the 10th of this month. Day of Arafah takes place on the ninth of the month. Eid Al Adha begins on the 10th day and ends at sunset of the 12th, and this is the fourth holy month during which war is banned.
The beginning of each month is marked by the observance of a new moon seen for the first time. Each month of the Islamic calendar commences on the birth of the new lunar cycle, which is based on actual observation of the crescent or hilal. Therefore, each month can have 29 or 30 days depending on the visibility of the moon, astronomical positioning of the earth, and weather conditions.
Author: Ola Diab
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