What is Mawlid Al-Nabi?

On the twelfth day of the third month, Rabi’ al-Awwal, many Muslims commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. In many predominantly Muslim countries, Mawlid al-Nabi is a major public holiday.

Some Muslims refuse to participate in this observance, feeling it is an innovation which places too much emphasis on the Prophet as human and distracts from the true divine source of revelation.

Throughout the world, there are a variety of expressions for the observance of the birth of the Prophet: some celebrations take place simply in private homes; other Muslims decorate their local mosque with lights and hold large festive gatherings.

Celebrations of Mawlid al-Nabi include sharing food, attending lectures about the Prophet’s life and virtues, Salawat prayer services, participating in marches, and reciting the Qur’an, litanies, and devotional poetry of the Prophet.