New Delhi: Eid Milad-un-Nabi is observed as the birth and death anniversary of Prophet Mohammad. The day is dedicated to the Prophet and observed in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, which is the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is also known as Nabid and Mawlid in colloquial Arabic.
Milad-un-Nabi 2021 Dates
According to the Gregorian Calendar, Eid Milad-un-Nabi will be celebrated from October 18 till the next evening of October 19 in 2021.
Different sects of Islam celebrate the Prophet’s birth on different dates of the month. Muslims from the Sufi or Barelvi school of thought celebrate the birth anniversary as Eid Milad-un-Nabi or Eid-e- Milad.
Sunni Muslims mark this occasion on the 12th of the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, while the Shia community observes it on the 17th of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
Significance of the day
It is believed that Prophet Muhammad was born in around 570 CE in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Considered as the last messenger of Allah, the day became popular in the 8th century when Muhammad’s house was transformed into a house of prayer by Al-Khayzuran.
It is also believed that the day of Prophet Muhammad's birthday was observed initially by the Fatimids and dates back to the early four Rashidun Caliphs of Islam.
Public gatherings take place to mark the day and families meet each other. On this day, religious congregations take place where leaders give speeches on the life of the Prophet focusing on his teachings, sufferings, and his character, as he even forgave his enemies.
Festivities are restricted on Eid Milad-un-Nabi as the same day also marks the death anniversary of the Prophet, according to a BBC report.
It is interesting to note that many other Muslims believe that the birthday of the Prophet is not exactly known and that it does not exist. Going by their beliefs, any other festival other than Eid al-Fitr and Eid-e-Adha is a form of biddah or innovation in religion.