Birth of the Prophet Muhammad

muh·haa·muhd
In the Islamic tradition, Prophet Muhammad, [peace be upon him], born in 570 CE, is the final prophet of the Abrahamic faith traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), confirming the monotheistic teachings of the prophets preceding him, including Adam, Noah, Moses, and Jesus [peace be upon them]. Therefore, Muslims around the world commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s [peace be upon him] birthday during the month of Rabi’ Al-Awal. Hence, Mawlid an-Nabi – literally, The Birth of the Prophet – is often referred to as the Mawlid. The 12th day of Rabi' Al-Awwal is the accepted date for the Sunni branch of Islam, while for the Shia branch, it is the 17th day.

Common Practices

It is etiquette in the Islamic tradition to distinguish prophets by referring to them with an immediate notation of respect following their names, as seen above with the bracketed phrase [peace be upon them]. The day is commonly marked by religious lectures, readings, and poetry of Prophet Muhammad’s [peace be upon him] life, legacy, and character and the example he set as a role model for humanity. Many cultures visit each other at home or attend gatherings at mosques, sharing a variety of sweets and poetry of the Prophet Muhammad’s [peace be upon him] life.

Community Considerations

Muslim community members may request time off on the first day; students, faculty, and staff in Muslim countries will likely have a national holiday.

Birth of the Prophet Muhammad