What it is
Mawlid an-Nabi means "the birth of the Prophet". Most historians place his birth in Rabi al-Awwal in the Year of the Elephant, around 570 CE, and the 12th is the date most widely marked. Scholars differ on celebrating it: many see gatherings of remembrance and salawat as good, while others hold that the early Muslims did not mark the day and so it should not be treated as a festival.
Also spelled Mawlid, Milad un Nabi, Eid Milad un Nabi, 12 Rabi ul Awal, Maulidur Rasul, Mevlid Kandili.
What Muslims do
Where it is marked, Muslims gather to recite the Quran, send salawat on the Prophet, hear about his life and share food. In many countries it is a public holiday. Muslims who do not mark it still send blessings on the Prophet throughout the year.
Dates in the coming years
| Date | Islamic date |
|---|---|
| Saturday, 14 August 2027 | 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1449 AH |
| Thursday, 3 August 2028 | 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1450 AH |
| Tuesday, 24 July 2029 | 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1451 AH |
| Saturday, 13 July 2030 | 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1452 AH |
Mawlid is marked on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal in most countries. Some communities mark the 17th.
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia. Many countries set their own dates by local moon sighting or a national authority, as in Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, so the date where you live can be a day later.
Remember us in your dua
This site is free to use. If it helped you, keep us in your dua, and have a look at what else we build.
Kivio
Make your Klaviyo emails interactive.
Reviews, quizzes and shopping inside Gmail and Yahoo, so customers act without leaving the inbox. Pilots open.
Visit KivioDuskford Digital
You run the store. We handle the tech.
Shopify and WooCommerce development for growing stores: fixes, custom features, integrations and migrations.
Visit Duskford DigitalPhrases and duas for Mawlid an-Nabi
-
Allahumma Salli Ala Muhammad (Durood)
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
-
Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam (SAW)
May Allah send blessings and peace upon him.
صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
-
SubhanAllah
Glory be to Allah. Allah is far above any imperfection.
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ
-
Alhamdulillah
All praise is for Allah.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
-
Allahu Akbar
Allah is the Greatest.
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Common questions
Do all Muslims celebrate Mawlid?
No. Many Muslims mark it with gatherings and salawat, and many scholars allow this, while other scholars hold that it should not be celebrated because the Prophet and his companions did not. Both views are held by large numbers of Muslims.
What do you say on Mawlid?
Many send salawat on the Prophet, such as "Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad" or "Sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam". Where it is celebrated, people also exchange greetings such as "Eid Milad un Nabi Mubarak".