What Is Eid Milad-un Nabi 2023? Check Out Date And Significance

Sufi or Barelvi Muslims commemorate the birth of the final Islamic Prophet Muhammad in a celebration known as Eid Milad-un-Nabi, Eid-e-Milad, Nabid, and Mawlid casual Arabic. This festival is observed during Rabi' al-awwal, the third month of the Islamic year.

The Islamic or lunar calendar varies from the Gregorian calendar and determines religious celebrations like Eid-e-Milad based on the sighting of the crescent moon. Sunni Muslims observe this occasion on the 12th day of Rabi' al-awwal, while the Shia community observes it on the 17th of the same month. This year, the festival will be observed on September 27 in Saudi Arabia, and a day later, on September 28, in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other regions of the subcontinent.

The start of the month Rabi al-awwal was marked with the sighting of the moon on October 18, in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, along with other regions of the subcontinent. In accordance with the Gregorian calendar, the month commenced on October 19.

The initial observances in Egypt involved Muslims participating in prayers, followed by the governing tribe delivering speeches and reciting from the Holy Quran, then a communal meal. The individuals from the ruling tribe received respect, seen as Caliphs or representatives of Muhammad.

Subsequently, influenced by strong Sufi traditions, the festivities later included animal sacrifices, public speeches, torchlit parades at night, and a communal feast. Nowadays, Muslims commemorate Eid-e-Milad by dressing in new attire, engaging in prayer, and exchanging well wishes.

They assemble in either a mosque or a dargah, initiating their day with an early prayer and a procession that circulates from the mosques to the city and returns. Stories from Prophet Muhammad's life and teachings from the Holy Quran are shared by children. Collective meals are arranged, contributions given to the underprivileged and destitute, and loved ones are called to participate in the naat celebrations and social events, where they participate in prayers that extend throughout the night.

During that period, only the dominant Shia Muslim tribe in the area was permitted to commemorate the festival instead of the broader population. Eid-e-Milad was first observed by Syria, Morocco, Turkey and Spain in the 12th century, and shortly after, some Sunni Muslim sects began joining the celebration.