Rabi al-Awwal
Month Number
Days In Month Name Of Month |
Third
Depend upon sighting of new moon Rabi al-Awwal, means the first month/beginning of spring |
Rabi al-awwal (ربيع الأول) is the third month in the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims around the world celebrate Mawlid - the birthday of the Islamic prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Sunni Muslims (Except a minority Muslims belonging to Deobandi/Wahabi faiths) believe the exact date of birth of Muhammad to have been on the twelfth of this month, whereas Shi'a Muslims believe him to have been born on the dawn of the seventeenth day. The name Rabi al-awwal means the first month/beginning of spring, referring to its position in the pre-Islamic Arabian calendar before the practice of intercalation was abolished.
Celebrations Of Mawlid
Birthplace of Prophet, In these Days in Makkah
The celebration of the Mawlid is done differently depending on the country. In some area's celebrations begin as early as the first of the month and can continue till the end of the month. Muslims generally put coloured lights on roads streets and their homes and put green flags as well to celebrate. In many countries a procession is also conducted on 12th or 17th of Rabiul Awal night and day. On these occasions sweets and drinks are also distributed widely from home to home, and to the general public as well. In some areas Musilms also exchange gifts as well.
Islamic events taking place during Rabi al-Awwal
Al-Askari Mosque in Samarra, Iraq
- The Hijra (migration) took place in this month
- Marriage of Muhammad to Khadijah
- Building of the Quba Mosque (1st mosque in Islam)
- 08 Rabi al-Awwal, death of Imam, Hasan al-Askari
- 09 Rabi al-Awwal, Eid-e-shuja
- 12 Rabi al-Awwal, Sunni's observe Mawlid in commemoration of the Prophet Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) birthday
- 17 Rabi al-Awwal, Shiah Muslims celebrate the birthday of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the Imam, Jafar al-Sadiq.
- 18 Rabi al-Awwal, birth of Umm Khultum bint Ali
- 26 Rabi al-Awwal, death of Abu Talib ibn Abdul Muttalib
Timing
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Rabī‘ al-Awwal migrates throughout the seasons.