Mawlid
| Mawlid | |
|---|---|
Malaysian Muslims in a Mawlid procession in capital Putrajaya, 2013. | |
| Observed by | Mainstream Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims |
| Type | Islamic |
| Significance | Commemoration of the birth of Muhammad |
| Observances | Hamd, Tasbih, public processions, Na`at (religious poetry), Sawm (fasting), family and other social gatherings, decoration of streets and homes |
| Date | 12 Rabi' al-Awwal |
| 2025 date | 4/5 September |
| Frequency | once every Hijri year |
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Career Views and Perspectives
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The Mawlid (Arabic: مولد) is an annual festival commemorating the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad on the traditional date of 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar.
The Muslim general Gökböri, a deputy of Saladin (r. 1174–1193), is believed to have been the first to publicly celebrate Mawlid, which he did in an impressive ceremony at the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. The Ottomans under Murad III (r. 1574–1595) declared it an official holiday.
Celebrants hold mahfils on Mawlid in which religious poetry is recited in praise of Muhammad accompanied by a feast. Other customs affiliated with Mawlid are supererogatory fasting, Music and dhikr.
The Mawlid observance is a recognized national holiday in most Muslim-majority countries of the world. It is generally approved by Shia Muslims as well as three Sunni schools of law, Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi'i. However, the Deobandi and Salafi movements and Hanbali school consider the Mawlid a reprehensible bid'a (innovation) and prohibit its observance. Some denominations of Islam do not approve of the commemoration of Muhammad's birthday, as they claim that there is no evidence from the Prophet and his companions that supports this day.