The Islamic Festival of Milad un-Nabi (Mawlid) 2011, 2012, 2013, History of Milad un-Nabi (Mawlid)

The Islamic Festival of Milad un-Nabi (or Milad-an-Nabi), often called Mawlid in colloquial Arabic, celebrates the birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.   

The Islamic Festival of Milad un-Nabi (Mawlid), which marks the observance of the birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, is celebrated in Rabi’ al-Awwal (Rabi I), the third month of the Islamic calendar.
Shia Muslims celebrate the festival of the Rabi’ al-Awwal 17th, to coincide with the date of birth of their 6th Imam, Ja’far al-Sadiq. Sunni Muslims celebrate the festival on Rabi’ al-Awwal 12th.
Islamic scholars are divided on whether the celebration of Milad un-nabi is necessary, and on whether it is permissible in Islam. Everyone agrees that the birth of the prophet Muhammad is the most significant event in Islamic history, but scholars point out that the Muhammad’s companions did not observe the anniversary of his birth, and that Muhammad did not observe the anniversaries of the births and deaths of his family.

History of Milad un-Nabi (Mawlid)

The first references to the observance of Milad un-Nabi, in Mecca in the 8th Century, relate to the transformation of the house where Muhammad was born into a place of prayer.
Public celebrations of the Prophet’s birth first occurred 400 years after his death. Milad un-Nabi started as a festival for the Shia ruling class, without the involvement of ordinary people, near the end of the 11th century in Egypt. The celebrations emphasised the Ahl al-Bayt, that family of the Prophet Muhammad, with sermons and recitation of the Qu’ran.
The first Sunni celebration took place in the 12th Century in Syria, when Nur ad-Din was the ruler. The reason why the Sunnis adopted the Shi’ite festival is not clear, but it is possible it was done to counter Christian influence in Spain and Morocco.
The celebration of the festival spread throughout the Muslim world, with local customs influencing the celebrations. The festival had been adopted by the Ottoman Empire by 1558, during the reign of Sultan Murad III. In 1910 the Ottoman Empire gave Milad un-Nabi official status as a national holiday. Today Milad un-Nabi is an official holiday in all Muslim countries except Saudi Arabia.

Customs of Milad un-Nabi (Mawlid)

Muslims celebrate Mila un-Nabi by gathering together to send salutations to the Prophet Muhammad, to give charity to the poor, and to remember the birth and virtues of the Prophets.

In the countries where Milad un-Nabi in a carnival manner, homes and mosques are decorated, and street processions are held. Charity and food is distributed, stories about Muhammad’s life are told, and children recite poetry. Qasida al-Burda Sharif (the "Poem of the Mantle"), the famous 13th Century poem, composed by the eminent Sufi, Imam al-Busiri, is recited by scholars and poets.

Dates of Milad-an-Nabi (Mawlid)

• 2011: February 15, 2011
• 2012: February 4, 2012
• 2013: November January 24, 2013