Mawlid al-Nabi. What is Mawlid al-Nabi when is Mawlid al-Nabi

Mawlid al-Nabi/ Milad an-Nabi is celebrated as the pious birthday of the Prophet Mohammad. It occurs in Rabi' al-awwal. In different parts of the world in different vernaculars Mawlid al-Nabi/ Milad an-Nabi is also described as mawlid, múlid, mulud or milad. In countries like Egypt Mawlid, the word is synonymous to birthdays. The Mawlid al-Nabi was first observed in the thirteenth century and was followed by a month of celebration. The day falls in the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar. Shias celebrate the day on the 17th day of the month, the day coincides with the birth date of their sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq. Sunnis observe it on the 12th of the month. The birthday dates keep on varying from year to year as it’s a lunar calendar. The birthday is observed by sermons, honoring of religious dignitaries, gift giving, and a feast.

Here, I have laid out Mawlid al-Nabi/ Milad an-Nabi dates (approximate)

12th of Rabi'-ul-Awwal
(Sunni)

2007 – March 31

2008- March 20

2009 – March 9

2010 – February 26

2011- February 15

2012- February 4

2013- January 24

17th of Rabi'-ul-Awwal
(Shi'a)

2007-April 5

2008-March 25

2009-March 15

2010-March 3

2011-February 20

2012-February 9

2013-January 29