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Eid Milad Un Nabi

Celebrated every year on the 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal, Eid Milad un Nabi is a national public holiday in many Muslim countries and an important celebration in Islam that pays tribute to the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It commemorates the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, born on this day in 570 CE in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. In the Islamic calendar, this date falls on the 12 Rabi al-Awwal. It means that Jashan Eid Milad un Nabi does not fall on the same date yearly, as the cycles underlying the two calendars differ. Prayers, visits to mosques, and unique get-togethers with family and friends are all part of the festival celebration.

This post will discuss this important holiday in Islam, including its history and traditions.

History 

The History of Eid Milad un Nabi revolves around when the Prophet Muhammad was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on the 12 Rabi al-Awwal in 570 CE. The world had not heard of Islam then, and Makkah was a part of the Persian Empire under King Khosrow I. Though his people did not acknowledge him during his lifetime, he grew up to become the religious and political leader of all Arabs and one of the most prominent figures in human history, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

However, Eid-e-Milad gained prominence in the eighth century as the Prophet’s home became a prayer hall. The mother of Harun-al-Rashid, Al-Khizuran, the current Caliph, carried out this action.

Additionally, the day was observed significantly differently back then than now. Since the 11th century, only the most powerful clan in Egypt has observed Mawlid. People used to memorize the Holy Quran and offer prayers later in the day before giving speeches and reciting poems. Other Muslim nations, including Turkey, Syria, Morocco, and Spain, didn’t begin to observe this day until the 12th century.

Early Muslims observed Prophet Muhammad’s birth as a holy day in seclusion, but as time passed, more people began to stop by the Mawlid home, which was open all day to celebrate.

Mawlid Background

It is challenging to pinpoint the Mawlid’s precise ancestry. History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God quotes Muhammad as saying that the importance of the occasion was established when Muhammad fasted on Monday, citing that he was born on that day. 

Festivals in World Religions claim that the Abbasids of Baghdad were the ones to introduce the Mawlid initially.

What to Pray on Eid Milad un Nabi?

People celebrate Jashan Eid Milad un Nabi with immense love and devotion. It is customary to recite prayers in the congregation on this day.

  • Recite the Holy Quran. Additionally, please commit to understanding its meaning and putting it into practice by following genuine academics’ accurate translation and interpretation.
  • Send the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) peace and salutations (Durood-o-Salaam) as much as possible.
  • Maintain a Monday voluntary (Nafil) fast. 

Why Do We Celebrate Eid Milad un Nabi?

Jashan Eid Milad un Nabi is a joyous celebration that commemorates the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It falls on different days each year as Hijri, or the Islamic calendar, determine it. Each country has unique rituals and traditions interwoven into the celebrations, depending on the culture from which they come.

Is There a Public Holiday on 12 Rabi ul Awal?

Yes, Pakistan’s Federal and provincial governments announce a public holiday every year on the occasion of Jashan Eid Milad un Nabi.

Initially, the Ottomans proclaimed this day a public holiday in 1588. Some countries celebrate Nabi Day on August 29. 

12 Rabi ul Awal is also a publicly recognized holiday in most countries. All Muslim nations—except Saudi Arabia and Qatar—celebrate this day. 

Because Saudi Arabia and Qatar, classified as Wahabi/Salafi nations, do not celebrate this day. No holiday exists in these two nations in this way. The Sunni community mostly celebrates this day with great zeal.

Eid Milad un Nabi Celebrations

Every nation has unique traditions for celebrating Mawlid Al-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, or Eid Milad Un Nabi. Every Muslim country observes this day distinctively. The specific events planned for this day include:

  • Muslims pray throughout the night.
  • Long prayers and gatherings at night to remember Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
  • Prepare the holiday banner.
  • Set up a celebration for the procession.
  • Bunting is on the banners in the mosque, at home, and elsewhere.
  • Fly the flag in celebration of Mawlid Al-Nabi as well.
  • Make a gathering to hear or recite Nabi Karim’s biography. 
  • Plan an exhibition featuring images of mosques, particularly those in Saudi Arabia’s holiest cities like Mecca and Madina.

This complete schedule has been planned for 12 Rabi ul Awal practically everywhere. The universal Mawlid Al-Nabi custom for all counties is for people to wear green clothing or tie a green scarf around their heads. The way that each nation celebrates is unique, just like how it is recognized by several names internationally. For instance, if we discuss the Saudi Arabian, we will observe that they don’t make plans for Eid Milad un Nabi.

Eid Milad Un Nabi in Saudia and Qatar

Because of Saudia’s majority Wahabi/Salafi population, there is no occasion. However, they organize events to remember Prophet Muhammad’s life story (SM). The term “seerat-un-Nabi” or “Jalsa” refers to this meeting.

They set it up according to Muslims or non-Muslims. Both individuals are eligible for this program. It indicates that Saudi Arabia’s Milad celebration is relatively straightforward compared to other countries.

Celebrations in Pakistan

Pakistan’s celebration of the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad is far grander than others. On this day, they make extraordinary preparations. They salute their capital city of Islamabad with 31 guns to start the day. They then raised their flag over all government buildings.

Additionally, they create a unique green flag known as the Eid Milad un Nabi emblem. The green color symbolizes Islam and heaven. People carry this flag as they leave their homes in a procession.

Additionally, they organize gatherings and prayers throughout the night to honor the Prophet Muhammad’s life, teachings, and supreme revelation (SM). Further, they set up communal meals for the poor in mosques and other institutions. They organize the distribution of clothing as a form of aid.

Celebrations in Turkey

Mawlid is a widely recognized holiday in Turkey. Mevlid Kandili translates as “the candle feast for the Prophet’s birthday.” Traditional poetry about Muhammad’s life is recited at home in the evening and in open mosques. The Mawlid of Süleyman Elebi is the most well-known of these. There were other mawlids written throughout the Ottoman era.

Celebrations in India

In India, it is a publicly recognized holiday. All offices and institutions are closed on this day.

India is known for its festival of Mawlid al-Nabi. They begin the day with prayers and recite poems from the Prophet Muhammad’s (SM) life as soon as the sun rises. After the Morning Prayer, the Hazratbal Shrine in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir displayed the Prophet Muhammad’s (SM) relics. After the prayers, they also organize marches, processions, and parades. Along with the facility, they also beautify the entire city. In this regard, the religious authorities make arrangements for Milad and Mahfil at the mosques.

Celebrations in Bangladesh

Milad un Nabi, also known as Eid Mawlid al-Nabi in Bangladesh, has a carnival-like celebration. In Bangladesh, Jashan Eid Milad un Nabi is celebrated from November to February. They organize Numerous Milad and mahfil to remember Prophet Muhammad’s (SM) ideals. The locals of a region or community organize these Milads or Islamic gatherings. They also manage an annual Milad, mahfil in this regard at their school, college, or another institution where they work, and have students recite the Prophet Muhammad’s beliefs (SM).

Eid Milad un Nabi Celebrations in Other Countries

Nearly all Muslim nations observe this day. In addition to the Muslim countries, other nations with sizable Muslim populations also commemorate this day. 

These nations include Ethiopia, Malaysia, Canada, Russia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Muslim community in India observes this day as a celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s (SM) birth. The day of the Prophet Muhammad’s (SM) birth is also known as Mawlid, Mawlid al-Nabi, Milad un Nabi, or Nabi Day. 

Milad Texts

The name Mawlid also denotes “a text chanted or sung on that day” in addition to “the celebration of the birth of Muhammad” and “a text expressly created for and recited at Muhammad’s nativity celebration.” Arabic, Kurdish, and Turkish languages have produced such poems. These texts recount Muhammad’s life (PBUH) or at least part of the following episodes, which are briefly listed below:

  • The Birth of Muhammad (PBUH)
  • Al-Mi’raj, or the Ascension to heaven
  • Introduction of Halima
  • The Conception of Muhammad (PBUH)
  • Arrangement of Marriage between Muhammad (PBUH) and Khadija (RA)
  • Al-Isra’
  • Abu Talib’s nephew’s first caravan trip
  • Life of Young Muhammad (PBUH) in Bedouins
  • The Ancestors of Muhammad (PBUH)
  • Muhammad’s orphanhood
  • Al-Hira, the first revelation
  • The first converts to Islam
  • The Hijra
  • Muhammad’s (PBUH) death

These passages are but a portion of the festivities. Depending on where one is from, there are various ways to celebrate Mawlid. The type of celebrations that are a part of the Mawlid celebration appears to have cultural influences. Particularly among Indonesians of Arab descent, Simthud Durar is frequently recited at congregations in that country.

Is Mawalid/ Eid Milad Un Nabi Celebration Allowed in Islam? 

Mawlid’s legitimacy has “been the topic of considerable controversy” among Muslim scholars, who have called it “perhaps one of the most contentious discussions in Islamic law.” Salafi, Deobandi, and Ahmadiyya scholars traditionally condemn the commemoration of Mawlid, as do most Sunni and nearly all Shia scholars. In Arabic culture, this fallacy is known as Bidah. The Mawlid holiday is currently illegal in Saudi Arabia.

Support by Ulema

Al-Suyuti of the Shafi’i school of thought is one of the historical Sunni philosophers who approved of the Mawlid (d 911 AH). He was a scholar who produced one of the most significant works on the Mawlid: a fatwa. Although he rose to fame outside of Egypt, he spent his entire life in battles there. He thought, for instance, that he was the most significant scholar of his day and should be considered a mujtahid and, subsequently, a Mujaddid. He became the most divisive figure of his day due to these assertions. His Fatwa was well-received and didn’t lead to any disputes.

Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, a Shafi’i scholar from Egypt, was a fervent admirer of the Mawlid and produced a treatise extolling it. He died in 974 AH. The celebration of the Mawlid, according to Syrian Shafi’i scholar Ibn al-Jazari (d. 833 AH), is a means of entering Paradise.

Most Sunni Islamic scholars support the Mawlid throughout the Muslim world. Examples include:

  • Muhammad Ibn Ahmad al-Khazraji.
  • Muhammad bin Yahya al-Ninowy of Syria.
  • Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri.
  • Habib Ali al-Jifri.
  • Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the prominent scholar of the Muslim Brotherhood movement.
  • Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki of Saudi Arabia.
  • Ali Gomaa, the former Grand Mufi of Al-Azhar University.

Opposition

Some scholars have called Ibn Taymiyya’s view on the Mawlid “paradoxical” and “complicated.” He condemned people who celebrated the Mawlid to mimic the Christian commemoration of Jesus’ birthday and declared it an abhorrent (makrûh) innovation in devotion. He also understood that some people celebrate Muhammad’s birthday to express their love and respect for him and should be significantly rewarded for their noble intentions. Ibn Taymiyya was criticized by the Salafi author Hamid al-Fiqi (d. 1959) for holding this opinion and asked, “How can they obtain a reward for this when they are contradicting the instruction of God’s Messenger (PBUH)?” Other ulemas who opposed Jashan Eid Milad Un Nabi include:

  • Taj al-Din al-Fakihani (d. 1331)
  • Ibn al-Haj al-Abdari 
  • Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz (former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia)
  • Hammud ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Tuwayjiri (d. 1992)

Ambiguities

Ibn al-Hajj lauded performing rituals and expressing appreciation during the festival, but he disapproved of the unlawful and disagreeable activities there. He criticized certain practices, including singers singing to the rhythm of stringed instruments, by highlighting their negligence. He enquired as to any possible linkages that might have existed between percussion instruments and Prophet’s birth month. He did, however, assert that it was proper to recognize and commemorate the birthday as it was honoring the month. He also contended that deeds of dedication were the source of excellence.

Consequently, according to al-Hajj, “the respect of this magnificent month should consist of other good deeds, the giving of alms, and other pious activities. To show respect for this honorable month, if someone cannot do so, let them avoid doing anything that is against the Law and morally repugnant. Despite reciting the Quran, he claimed that the people were “longing for the most accomplished adherents of folly and provocative means to entertain the masses,” calling this “perverse.” He condemned “the banned and unpleasant things which the Mawlid brings in its path,” not the Mawlid itself.

He did not think it was wrong to prepare dinner and invite guests. Ibn al-Hajj said that “evil aspects” were associated with this because individuals observed the Mawlid not just out of a desire for respect but also to recoup the silver they had donated on previous glad holidays and festivals.

The (most prominent) hafiz of this time,” Shaykh al-Islam Abu I-Fadl ibn Hajar, stated that the Mawlid’s legal standing was that it was a Bidah. However, he claimed that it contained both positive and negative elements. The Mawlid was an excellent innovation only if one actively sought out and avoided negative aspects. He claimed that the Prophet’s arrival was a blessing. According to him, “one must limit himself to that which expresses gratitude to God… namely, reciting the Quran, giving a banquet, giving alms, proclaiming some Naat of praise for the Prophet, and some aesthete songs of praise. These things enhance the hearts to do useful and to make some effort to strive for the Hereafter.” 

12 Rabi ul Awal Holidays in 2023

In Pakistan, most Sunni Muslims celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad PBUH on 12 Rabi al-Awwal, while the minority of Shia Muslims celebrate on Rabi 17. The Sunni calculation determines the official public holiday.

In 2023 the official one-day public holiday of Jashan Eid Milad un Nabi will come on September 28 on Thursday. But dates may vary according to the lunar calendar.

What to Read on Eid Milad un Nabi?

You can read these Darood on Eid Milad Un Nabi and also in other months:

  • DUROOD-E-MALWAAN
  • DUROOD-E-ISME AZAM
  • DUROOD SALAATUL SA’AADAT
  • DUROOD DIDAAR-E-MUSTAPHA
  • DUROOD-E-RADAWIYYA
  • DUROOD-E-HAQ
  • DUROOD-E-MUQADDDAS
  • DUROOD-E-DA’IM

Don’t forget to recite Holy Quran and some Nawafil.

Significance of Eid Milad Un Nabi in Islam

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the final representative of Allah Almighty, a man of understanding, integrity, and compassion for all people. Muslims cherish every day linked with the Prophet Muhammad, regardless of where they live, because the Prophet Muhammad’s birth blessed the entire human race. The faithful celebrate the Prophet’s birthday to show their devotion and love to him (PBUH). Remembering and observing the instructions of the Holy Prophet are central to this celebration.

Eid Milad Un Nabi Facts:

  • Mawlid also recounts the occasions of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth and death.
  • Muslims organize feasts that are served to the underprivileged and participate in charitable giving.
  • In 1588, the Ottomans made Mawlid an official holiday for the first time.
  • There is disagreement among Muslim groups regarding the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) actual birthday.
  • In India, people celebrate Mawlid with nightly prayers, the presentation of Prophetic relics in Jammu and Kashmir, and demonstrations and parades in Telangana.

FAQs

Is it ok to celebrate Eid Milad Un Nabi?

This question has been the topic of debate for centuries. However, there is nothing wrong with reciting the Quran, Darood & Naat, sending peace and salutation to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and feeding the poor on Jashan Eid Milad un Nabi because the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a blessing for humanity. 

However, celebrating 12 Rabi ul Awal as Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday is prohibited by various Ulemas.

What is the meaning of Eid Milad Un Nabi?

The significance of Eid al-Milad-un-Nabi is enormous. As we all know, Nabi refers to a messenger of Allah (SWT), Eid refers to a celebration, and Milad relates to birth. Build up this term, and we get The celebration of the Prophet Mohammed’s birth is known as Eid E Milad-un-nabi. “Viladut” is a derived form of the word “Milad.” “Viladut” is Hindi for “birth.” Milad, “time and place of birth,” is used in Arabic.

As defined by Shariah, Milad is the occasion for commemorating someone’s birthday. Eid e Milad-un-nabi, which marks the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, stems from the word Milad (SM). However, Islamic Law, or shari’ah, forbids celebrating anyone’s birthday.

Can Muslims fast on this event?

Yes, there is nothing wrong with fasting on 12 Rabi ul Awal. However, no Hadith mentions any unique benefits or rewards for fasting on this specific day.

When Eid Milad Un Nabi started?

Under the rule of Noor-un-Din Zangi, Sunnis observed Milad-un-Nabi for the first time in public in Syria in the 12th century. It officially became a national public holiday in the Ottoman Empire in 1910.

Conclusion

Jashan Eid Milad un Nabi is a significant event in Islam. It is spent reflecting on, reading, and hearing about Prophet Muhamad’s (peace be upon him) extraordinary life and teachings, given several hundred years ago, which are still applicable today.