Milad-un-Nabi

Introduction:

Milad-un-Nabi is also known as Barawafat or Mawlid marks the birth of the Prophet. According to Islamic calendar the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad occurs in the third month, Rabi' al-awwal. The celebration of Milad-un-Nabi origin is said to be have been since 11th century in the Fatimid dynasty.

The birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet is remembered on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal of the Islamic lunar calendar year by all Muslims.

The Holy Quran was revealed by the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The same day marks the death anniversary of the Holy Prophet.

In India and some other parts of the sub-continent Milad-un-Nabi is popularly known as as 'Barawafat'. The word 'barah' stands for the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness.

History

When Muhammad was born in eighth-century in Mecca, the mother of Harun al-Rashid, Al-Khayzuran transformed the house into a place of prayer but public celebrations of the birth of Muhammad did not occur till centuries after his death. Originally the festival was majorly celebrated by the Shia ruling class. The first official celebrations of Mawlid took place in Egypt by Fatimid dynasty in eleventh century. The Fatimids celebrations were influenced by the elements of Sufi.

Animal sacrifices were done and torchlight processions along with public sermons were held and then all these were followed by a feast. The celebrations continued all through the day. The ruler of dynasty play key role in the ceremonies.

Holy Quran was recited, sermons were offered and emphasis was laid on Ahl al-Bayt. Officials were given gifts to strengthen support for the ruling caliph.

Sunnis first celebrated Mawlid in twelfth-century Syria, under the rule of Nur ad-Din. According to some theorists Sunnis only adopted this Shi'ite festival to counter Christian influence in Spain and Morocco.
The celebrations were discontinued for sometime by Ayoubides and restricted the celebration only to family. Muzaffar ad-din re-introduced the event in 1207 and thus it regained status as an official event.

The practice traveled all round the Islamic countries. The folklore and Sufic practices of them greatly influenced the celebrations. By 1588 it had spread to the Ottoman empire. It was officially observed as national festival throughout the Ottoman empire.

Celebrations

Public meetings are held in the mosques where religious leaders and scholars speaks on different aspects of the life of Prophet. Tribute is paid to Prophet and songs are sung in his praise. The learned men deliver sermons in mosques, focusing on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet.

A ceremony called Sandal rite is performed in some parts of India in which the symbolic footprints of the Prophet imprinted in stone and a model of horse like animal, buraq which is believed to ascend Prophet to heaven is worshiped. The footprints are smeared with sandal paste or scented powder, and the house and chest containing these are elaborately decorated. Marsiyas are sung in memory of the last days of the Prophet.

The streets, mosques and buildings are decorated with colorful streamers and banners and well illuminated with colourful lights in night. People generously donate to charity to the poor. Feasts are arranged and food is served to guests and the poor.

Processions navigate through the street. Morning prayers are offered in mosques.Stories about the life and teachings of Muhammad are narrated. Scholars and poets recite Qa?ida al-Burda Sharif, by Busiri.

Mawlid is celebrated not only in Muslim countries, but also in other countries where any number of muslims living there. Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim country who does not have an official public holiday on Mawlid.

Time to celebrate

Mawlid falls in the month of Rabi' al-awwal in the Islamic calendar. Shias observe the event on the 17th of the month, coinciding with the birth date of their sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq, while Sunnis observe it on the 12th of the month. The corresponding date in the Gregorian calendar varies each year.