Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, also called Eid-e-Milad, is one of the most significant festivals in Islam. The day marks the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam and the last messenger of God. According to legend, the Prophet Muhammad also passed away on the same date, making this day both a celebration and a time of remembrance.
Date of Eid-e-Milad 2025
According to the Islamic Finder, Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi is observed on the 12th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the festival will start from the evening of Wednesday, September 3, and continue until Thursday, September 4. The exact date depends on the moon sighting in different regions.
History of Eid-e-Milad
According to Islamic mythology, Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570 to 600 CE, a year known as the ‘Year of the Elephant.’ The 12th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal is known as Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, which celebrates the birth and death of the Prophet. The first official celebration is said to have taken place in Egypt during the Fatimid dynasty. According to media reports, early festivities included Quran recitations, public sermons, and large communal feasts.
According to Islamic Finder, by the 11th and 12th centuries, celebrations spread to other regions including Syria, Morocco, Turkey, and Spain. Over time, Sufi traditions influenced the festival, adding practices such as torchlight processions, storytelling about the Prophet’s life, and charitable acts for the poor.
The Arabic word ‘Mawlid’ literally means ‘birth,’ and according to scholars, it is another name for Eid-e-Milad. While many Muslims celebrate the Prophet’s birthday, some sects do not observe it, as according to tradition, the Prophet himself never celebrated birthdays.
Significance of Eid-e-Milad
According to Islamic Finder, Eid-e-Milad is not just about remembering the Prophet’s birth, it is also about honouring his teachings of kindness, humility, and compassion. The day is dedicated to his life and principles for humankind.
How is Eid-e-Milad celebrated?
According to Islamic Finder, people decorate their homes with lights and flowers, hoist green flags at mosques, and wear new clothes. Families prepare and share special foods like Seviyan (vermicelli cooked in sweetened milk).
Muslims visit prominent dargahs such as Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai, Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan, and Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi to offer prayers and seek blessings. Communities take out processions, recite verses from the Quran, and narrate stories of the Prophet’s life to children. Charity and donations are also an important part of the celebration, according to Islamic tradition.
According to scholars, Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi is a day to spread love, remember the good deeds of Prophet Muhammad, and bring communities together in peace and harmony.
