Eid Milad an-Nabi
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Also called
Type Observed by Date 2021 Date Observances |
Mawlid an-Nabi, Yawm an-Nabi, Mawlid an-Nabi
Islamic Muslims around the world 12th of Rabi' Al-awwal Friday, 30 October 2020 (Confirmed for Pakistan) Homes or mosques are decorated, relics are displayed, reciting Naats etc |
Introduction
Birthplace of Prophet, In these Days in Makkah
Mawlid Or Eid Milad an-Nabi (Qur'anic Arabic: مَوْلِدُ آلنَبِيِّ , “Birth of the Prophet”) is a term used to refer to the observance of the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) which occurs in Rabi Al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.
The term Mawlid is also used in some parts of the world, such as Egypt, as a generic term for the birthday celebrations of other historical religious figures such as Sufi saints.
The term Mawlid is also used in some parts of the world, such as Egypt, as a generic term for the birthday celebrations of other historical religious figures such as Sufi saints.
Etymology of Word "Mawlid"
Mawlid is derived from the Arabic root word (Arabic: ولد), meaning to give birth, bear a child, descendant. In contemporary usage, Mawlid refers to the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Other terms used for this event include:
Term |
Language |
Meaning |
Mawlid an-Nabi |
Arabic |
The Birth of the Prophet |
Milad an-Nabi |
Arabic/Urdu |
The Birth of the Prophet |
Mevlid-i-Serif |
Turkish |
The Blessed Birth |
Mevlud/Mevlid |
Bosnian |
Birth |
Mawlud-e-Sharif |
Dari/Urdu |
The Blessed Birth |
Zadruz-e-Payambar-e-Akram |
Persian |
The birth of the great/blessed Prophet |
Eid Al-Mawlid-an-Nabawi |
Arabic |
Festival of the birth of the Prophet |
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi |
Urdu |
Festival of the birth of the Prophet |
Mawlid En-Nabaoui Echarif |
Algerian |
The Blessed Birth of the Prophet |
El Muled(En-Nabawi)/Muled en-Nabi |
Egyptian Arabic |
The Birth (of the prophet)/Birth of the Prophet |
Yawm an-Nabi |
Arabic |
The Day of the Prophet |
Maulidur-Rasul |
Malay |
The Birth of the Messenger of ALLAH |
Mulud |
Javanese |
The Birth |
Maulid Nabi |
Indonesian |
The Birth of the Prophet |
Maulud Nabi |
Malaysian |
The Birth of the Prophet |
Maulidi |
Swahili |
The Birth of the Prophet |
Barawafat |
Sri Lanka, Maldives, South India |
The Birth of the Prophet |
Timing of Mawlid
Mawlid falls in the month of Rabi' al-awwal in the Islamic calendar. Shias observe the event on the 17th of the month, coinciding with the birth date of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq and the Prophet Muhammad while Sunnis observe it on the 12th of the month. As the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, the corresponding date in the Gregorian calendar varies each year.
مسلمانوں میں آنحضرت صلی اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم کی تاریخ پیدائش میں کچھ اختلاف ہے۔ زیادہ تر مسلمان خصوصاً اہل سنت 12 ربیع الاول کو درست مانتے ہیں۔ سلفی حضرات اور کچھ دیگر افراد 9 ربیع الاول کو درست مانتے ہیں۔ اہل تشیع 17 ربیع الاول کو درست مانتے ہیں۔ 9 ربیع الاول کو درست ماننے والوں کی اکثریت یہ تہوار نہیں مناتی۔ اس لیے اس تہوار کو عموماً 12 ربیع الاول کو اور بعض ممالک (آذربائجان، ایران، بحرین و لبنان) میں یہ 17 ربیع الاول کو بھی منایا جاتا ہے۔ پاکستان، بھارت، مصر، تیونس، الجزائر، مراکش وغیرہ میں یہ 12 ربیع الاول کو منایا جاتا ہے۔ ایران میں تقریباً ایک ہفتہ میلاد منایا جاتا ہے جو 12 سے 17 ربیع الاول تک ہوتا ہے۔
History of celebrating Mawlid
When Muslim celebrate Milad, Muslim gather, in order to send salutations to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), give charity to the poor (Sadaqah Khairat) and remember wilaadah (Birth) and virtues of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Generally Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated, on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, by Muslims all over the world. In every Muslim country, there is a public holiday for “Milaad-un-Nabee”, except one country, but even in that country, the people celebrate “Milaad” individually.
The earliest accounts for the observance of Mawlid can be found in eighth-century Mecca, when the house in which Muhammad was born was transformed into a place of prayer by Al-Khayzuran (Mother of Harun al-Rashid, the fifth and most famous Abbasid caliph).The early celebrations included elements of Sufic influence, with animal sacrifices and torchlight processions along with public sermons and a feast.The celebrations occurred during the day, in contrast to modern day observances, with the ruler playing a key role in the ceremonies.Emphasis was given to the Ahl al-Bayt with presentation of sermons and recitations of the Qur'an. The event also featured the award of gifts to officials in order to bolster support for the ruling caliph.
The first public celebrations by Sunnis took place in twelfth-century Syria, under the rule of Nur ad-Din Zangi Though there is no firm evidence to indicate the reason for the adoption of the Shi'ite festival by the Sunnis, some theorise the celebrations took hold to counter Christian influence in places such as Spain and Morocco. Theologians denounced the celebration of Mawlid as unorthodox, and the practice was briefly halted by the Ayoubides when they came to power, becoming an event confined to family circles. It regained status as an official event again in 1207 when it was re-introduced by Muzaffar ad-din, the brother-in-law of Saladin, in Arbil, a town near Mosul, Iraq.
The practice spread throughout the Muslim world, assimilating local customs, to places such as Cairo, where folklore and Sufic practices greatly influenced the celebrations. By 1588 it had spread to the court of Murad III, Sultan of the Ottoman empire. In 1910, it was given official status as a national festival throughout the Ottoman empire. Today it is an official holiday in many parts of the world.
The earliest accounts for the observance of Mawlid can be found in eighth-century Mecca, when the house in which Muhammad was born was transformed into a place of prayer by Al-Khayzuran (Mother of Harun al-Rashid, the fifth and most famous Abbasid caliph).The early celebrations included elements of Sufic influence, with animal sacrifices and torchlight processions along with public sermons and a feast.The celebrations occurred during the day, in contrast to modern day observances, with the ruler playing a key role in the ceremonies.Emphasis was given to the Ahl al-Bayt with presentation of sermons and recitations of the Qur'an. The event also featured the award of gifts to officials in order to bolster support for the ruling caliph.
The first public celebrations by Sunnis took place in twelfth-century Syria, under the rule of Nur ad-Din Zangi Though there is no firm evidence to indicate the reason for the adoption of the Shi'ite festival by the Sunnis, some theorise the celebrations took hold to counter Christian influence in places such as Spain and Morocco. Theologians denounced the celebration of Mawlid as unorthodox, and the practice was briefly halted by the Ayoubides when they came to power, becoming an event confined to family circles. It regained status as an official event again in 1207 when it was re-introduced by Muzaffar ad-din, the brother-in-law of Saladin, in Arbil, a town near Mosul, Iraq.
The practice spread throughout the Muslim world, assimilating local customs, to places such as Cairo, where folklore and Sufic practices greatly influenced the celebrations. By 1588 it had spread to the court of Murad III, Sultan of the Ottoman empire. In 1910, it was given official status as a national festival throughout the Ottoman empire. Today it is an official holiday in many parts of the world.
Evidence of Milaad-un-Nabi from The Qur’an and Hadith
Evidence from The Qur’an
ALLAH Said In Sura Yunus Ayat 58
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّـهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ
اے نبیؐ، کہو کہ یہ اللہ کا فضل اور اس کی مہربانی ہے کہ یہ چیز اس نے بھیجی، اس پر تو لوگوں کو خوشی منانی چاہیے، یہ اُن سب چیزوں سے بہتر ہے جنہیں لوگ سمیٹ رہے ہیں
Tell them (O Prophet!): "Let them rejoice in ALLAH's grace and mercy through which this (Book) has come to you. It is better than all the riches that they accumulate".
In this verse, ALLAH Almighty tells us that we should be happy when we receive blessings and mercy from Him. Without doubt, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is the greateset mercy and blessing of ALLAH Almighty Beacuse Quran is revealed on him.
Then ALLAH Said In Sura Al-Anbiyaa, Ayat 107
اور ہم نے آپ کو تمام جہان والوں کے لئے رحمت بنا کر ہی بھیجا ہے
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
We have sent you forth as nothing but mercy to people of the whole world.
Then In Sura Al-Imran, Ayat 164
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّـهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ
درحقیقت اہل ایمان پر تو اللہ نے یہ بہت بڑا احسان کیا ہے کہ اُن کے درمیان خود انہی میں سے ایک ایسا پیغمبر اٹھایا جو اس کی آیات انہیں سناتا ہے، اُن کی زندگیوں کو سنوارتا ہے اور اُن کو کتاب اور دانائی کی تعلیم دیتاہے، حالانکہ اس سے پہلے یہی لوگ صریح گمراہیوں میں پڑے ہوئے تھے
Surely ALLAH conferred a great favour on the believers when He raised from among them a Messenger to recite to them His signs, and to purify them, and to teach them the Book and Wisdom. For before that they were in manifest error.
Evidences of Milaad from Hadith
Our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) celebrated the birth of his son Ibraaheem by freeing a slave.
(Tareekh Ibn Kathir, “Birth of Ibraaheem”)
Imam Muslim writes that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was asked about the fast on Mondays, which he used to keep, the Prophet replied “This is the day of my birth”.
(Muslim, “Kitaab-us-Sawm”)
This proves that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) kept fast on Mondays to show gratitude for his birth.
- Imam Bukhari writes that when Abu Lahab died, someone from his household saw him in a dream, they asked him what happened in the grave he said “I am being punished severely, but on Mondays, I get water from my finger with which I am freed Thuwayba.
(Bukhari, “Kitaab-un-Nikaah”)
This proves that a kaafir, Abu Lahab, was happy on the day of the birth of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and was rewarded by having his punishment reduced. If this is true, then indeed Allah will bless a Muslim who rejoices the birth of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). This Hadith has been used by many ‘Ulamaa’, to justify the celebration of Milad.
Allama Ibn Hajr Asqalani writes that Sohaily said that Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu, who was the uncle of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), had the above dream. Apart from this, other Muhadditheen have also attributed this dream to Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu.
(Fath-ul-baari, “Nikaah”, by Hafidh Ibn Hajar Asqalaanee).
A person may ask, “When did Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu have this dream? Was it before or after he embraced Islam?” The answer to this is that he had this dream after coming into the fold of Islam (Seerah-Ibn-Hashaam) Abu Lahab died after the battle of Badr before which Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu embraced Islam.
Allama Ibn Hajr Asqalani writes that Sohaily said that Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu, who was the uncle of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), had the above dream. Apart from this, other Muhadditheen have also attributed this dream to Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu.
(Fath-ul-baari, “Nikaah”, by Hafidh Ibn Hajar Asqalaanee).
A person may ask, “When did Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu have this dream? Was it before or after he embraced Islam?” The answer to this is that he had this dream after coming into the fold of Islam (Seerah-Ibn-Hashaam) Abu Lahab died after the battle of Badr before which Abbaas Radi-Allahu-unhu embraced Islam.
Observances
Footprint of the prophet Muhammad, preserved in the turbe (funerary mausoleum) in Eyup, Istanbul
Where Mawlid is celebrated in a carnival manner, large street processions are held and homes or mosques are decorated. Charity and food is distributed, and stories about the life of Muhammad are narrated with recitation of Naat by children. Scholars and poets celebrate by reciting قصیدہ بردہ شریف, the famous poem by 13th century Arabic Sufi Busiri.
Mawlid is celebrated in most Muslim countries, and in other countries where Muslims have a presence, such as India, Britain, and Canada. Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim country where Mawlid is not an official public holiday. Participation in the ritual celebration of popular Islamic holidays is seen as an expression of the Islamic revival.
During Pakistan's Mawlid, known in Urdu as Eid Milad-un-Nabi, a public holiday, celebrations and processions, the national flag is hoisted on all public buildings, and a 31-gun salute in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, and a 21-gun salute at the provincial capitals are fired at dawn. The public and private building are illuminated with Fairy lights. The cinemas shows religious rather than secular films on 11th and 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal. Hundreds of thousands of people gather at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore between the intervening night of 11th and 12th Rabi' al-awwal for Mawlid celebrations; this is the worlds biggest gathering for Mawlid celebrations. The tradition of year round celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi is also observed. The A Na`at hymns that specifically praises the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The practice is popular in South Asia ( Bangladesh, Pakistan and India), commonly in Urdu and Punjabi languages. People who recite Na`at are known as Naat-Khua'an or Sana'a-Khua'an.
In many parts of Indonesia, the celebration of the Mawlid al-nabi "seems to surpass in importance, liveliness, and splendour" the two official Islamic holidays of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Indonesian Javanese week-long Sekaten ceremony commemorates Mawlid in the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. In Qayrawan, Tunisia, Muslims sing and chant hymns of praise to the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), welcoming him in honor of his birth.
Among Non-Muslim countries, India is noted for its Mawlid festivities. The relics of Mohammed are displayed after the morning prayers in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir at Hazratbal shrine, on the outskirts of Srinagar and also in Muslim World. Shab-khawani night-long prayers held at the Hazratbal shrine are attended by thousands. Other non-Muslim countries noted for their Mawlid festivities are Kenya and Tanzania, where it is known as "Maulidi". In Kenya, the most famous place is the coastal island of Lamu and Malindi. In Tanzania the largest celebrations are on the island of Zanzibar.
Mawlid is celebrated in most Muslim countries, and in other countries where Muslims have a presence, such as India, Britain, and Canada. Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim country where Mawlid is not an official public holiday. Participation in the ritual celebration of popular Islamic holidays is seen as an expression of the Islamic revival.
During Pakistan's Mawlid, known in Urdu as Eid Milad-un-Nabi, a public holiday, celebrations and processions, the national flag is hoisted on all public buildings, and a 31-gun salute in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, and a 21-gun salute at the provincial capitals are fired at dawn. The public and private building are illuminated with Fairy lights. The cinemas shows religious rather than secular films on 11th and 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal. Hundreds of thousands of people gather at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore between the intervening night of 11th and 12th Rabi' al-awwal for Mawlid celebrations; this is the worlds biggest gathering for Mawlid celebrations. The tradition of year round celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi is also observed. The A Na`at hymns that specifically praises the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The practice is popular in South Asia ( Bangladesh, Pakistan and India), commonly in Urdu and Punjabi languages. People who recite Na`at are known as Naat-Khua'an or Sana'a-Khua'an.
In many parts of Indonesia, the celebration of the Mawlid al-nabi "seems to surpass in importance, liveliness, and splendour" the two official Islamic holidays of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Indonesian Javanese week-long Sekaten ceremony commemorates Mawlid in the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. In Qayrawan, Tunisia, Muslims sing and chant hymns of praise to the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), welcoming him in honor of his birth.
Among Non-Muslim countries, India is noted for its Mawlid festivities. The relics of Mohammed are displayed after the morning prayers in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir at Hazratbal shrine, on the outskirts of Srinagar and also in Muslim World. Shab-khawani night-long prayers held at the Hazratbal shrine are attended by thousands. Other non-Muslim countries noted for their Mawlid festivities are Kenya and Tanzania, where it is known as "Maulidi". In Kenya, the most famous place is the coastal island of Lamu and Malindi. In Tanzania the largest celebrations are on the island of Zanzibar.
Other uses of the term "Mawlid"
In some countries, such as Egypt and Sudan, Mawlid is used as a generic term for the celebration of birthdays of local Sufi saints and not only restricted to the observance of the birth of Muhammad. Around 3,000 Mawlid celebrations are held each year and attended by tens of thousands of people. These festivals attract an international audience, with the largest one in Egypt attracting up to three million people honouring Ahmed el-Bedawi, a local 13th Century Sufi saint.
