The birth of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ was born in Makkah, in what the Arabs called the Year of the Elephant, when an army marched on the Kaaba with elephants and was turned back. Surah Al-Fil (105) tells that story. His father Abdullah had died before he was born.
We know the day of the week from the Prophet ﷺ himself. Asked about fasting on Mondays, he said, “That is the day I was born, and the day revelation came to me” (Muslim 1162). The date most widely held is 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, and that is when the Mawlid is marked, though early historians give other dates too.
In Turkey the night is Mevlid Kandili, and mosques recite Süleyman Çelebi's long poem on his birth, known simply as the Mevlid; families also have it recited at births and memorials. In many other places, from Morocco to Indonesia, people gather for recitation, poetry in his praise, and food.
From the Quran
وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَٰكَ إِلَّا رَحۡمَةٗ لِّلۡعَٰلَمِينَ
And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.
Why scholars differ on it
Marking his birthday as a yearly occasion began centuries after his time; the Companions did not hold a Mawlid.
Many scholars over the centuries have held that gathering to remember his life, recite the Quran, send blessings on him and feed people is good, as long as nothing wrong is mixed in. Others hold that because the Companions, who loved him most, did not mark the day, it should not be set apart for worship. Both positions are held by respected scholars, and both come from love for him.
There is common ground, too. The one practice the Prophet ﷺ himself connected to his birth is fasting on Mondays. It comes every week, it's quiet, and it needs no gathering at all.
If your community gathers, you can join with a good intention; if it doesn't, the things below are good on any day of the year. Either way, keep a soft heart toward Muslims who see it differently.
Ways to honour him, any day
Love for the Prophet ﷺ shows most in following him. When Aisha was asked about his character, she said it was the Quran (Muslim), so reading the Quran with him in mind is itself a way of knowing him. A few other places to start:
- Send blessings on him. Whoever sends blessings on him once, Allah sends blessings on them ten times (Muslim 408). The fullest form is the one recited in every prayer, below.
- Read about his life, a little each night: a short biography, or a chapter of the Shama'il, the descriptions of his character and habits.
- Fast on Mondays, as he did, and for the reason he gave.
- Read Surah Ad-Duha (93), revealed to reassure him when revelation had paused (Bukhari), and notice how tenderly Allah speaks to him.
- Bring back one sunnah you've let slip: greeting first, visiting the sick, gentleness at home.
- Feed someone. Generosity was among his clearest traits.
- Tell a child one story about him, and let them ask questions.
A dua for this day
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.
O Allah, send Your prayers on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your prayers on Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
Questions people ask
When is the Mawlid?
On 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month of the Hijri calendar. In Turkey it is kept as Mevlid Kandili on the evening before. Historians differ on his exact date of birth, but the 12th is the most widely marked. The expected date is at the top of this page.
Is celebrating the Mawlid allowed?
Scholars differ. Many have permitted gatherings of remembrance, recitation, blessings on the Prophet ﷺ and feeding people, as long as nothing unlawful is involved. Others consider setting the day apart an innovation, since the Companions did not do it. Follow scholars you trust, and respect those who follow others.
What do people do on the Mawlid?
Common practices include reciting the Quran, poetry in praise of the Prophet ﷺ (in Turkey, Süleyman Çelebi's Mevlid), talks on his life, sending blessings on him and sharing food. None of it is required, and there is no special prayer for the night.