Every year, in the Islamic month of Rabi al-Awwal, many Muslims around the world remember the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This occasion is known as Mawlid an-Nabi, meaning “the birth of the Prophet”.
In some communities it is marked with gatherings of salawat, poetry, lectures about the Prophet’s life and acts of charity.
In others, people prefer not to hold special celebrations and instead focus on following the Sunnah throughout the year.
Mawlid is a topic on which Muslim scholars have held different views for centuries.
This article explains what Mawlid an-Nabi is, its history, the main scholarly positions on it presented fairly and respectfully, and the shared values that all Muslims can embrace: love for the Prophet ﷺ, sending salawat upon him, learning his life and following his example.
What Is Mawlid an-Nabi?
The word “mawlid” refers to the time or place of birth. Mawlid an-Nabi refers to the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and to the gatherings some Muslims hold to remember it.
When was the Prophet ﷺ born?
The Prophet ﷺ was born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant, around 570 CE. Most historians agree that he was born on a Monday in the month of Rabi al-Awwal.
The Prophet ﷺ himself confirmed that he was born on a Monday, when he was asked about fasting on Mondays and said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which revelation came to me.”
Scholars differ about the exact date. The 12th of Rabi al-Awwal is the most widely known date, but other dates such as the 8th, 9th and 10th have also been mentioned by historians.
The History of Mawlid Gatherings
The companions of the Prophet ﷺ and the early generations did not hold specific annual celebrations for the Prophet’s birthday.
Organised public Mawlid gatherings became widespread several centuries later.
Historians mention that public celebrations were held in various regions in the medieval period, including large gatherings organised by rulers, with recitation of the Quran, poetry in praise of the Prophet ﷺ, feeding the poor and sermons about his life.
Over time, the practice spread to many parts of the Muslim world, and today it is observed in different ways in many countries, while other communities do not observe it.
The Scholarly Views on Mawlid
Muslim scholars have discussed the Mawlid for many centuries, and sincere, learned scholars have reached different conclusions.
Understanding these views helps Muslims respect one another even when they disagree.
View 1: Permissible and praiseworthy when free of wrongdoing
Many scholars throughout history have considered gathering to remember the Prophet’s birth to be permissible and even praiseworthy, provided it is free from forbidden practices. Their reasoning includes:
- The Prophet ﷺ honoured the day of his birth by fasting on Mondays, showing that the day has significance.
- Remembering the Prophet ﷺ, sending salawat upon him, reciting the Quran, feeding people and learning about his life are all good deeds in themselves.
- Expressing joy at the blessing of the Prophet ﷺ is connected to the verse: “Say, in the bounty of Allah and in His mercy, in that let them rejoice” (Yunus 10:58).
Scholars holding this view often classify such gatherings as a “good innovation”, meaning a new form of organising good deeds that does not contradict the Sharia.
View 2: Not part of the Sunnah, so better avoided
Other scholars have held that specifying a particular annual celebration for the Prophet’s birthday is not part of the Sunnah and should be avoided. Their reasoning includes:
- The Prophet ﷺ, the companions and the early generations did not hold such celebrations, even though their love for the Prophet ﷺ was the greatest.
- Acts of worship should be based on clear evidence, and adding specific rituals at specific times without evidence may be considered innovation in religion.
- True love for the Prophet ﷺ is shown by following his Sunnah every day of the year.
Common ground between the views
Despite their differences, scholars on both sides agree on important principles:
- Love for the Prophet ﷺ is an essential part of faith.
- Sending salawat upon him is highly rewarded at all times.
- Learning about his life and character is beneficial.
- Practices that involve clear wrongdoing, such as mixing in inappropriate ways, music that is impermissible, wastefulness or exaggeration that crosses into attributing divine qualities to the Prophet ﷺ, are rejected.
- Muslims should not fight, insult or break ties over this issue.
Love for the Prophet ﷺ: A Shared Foundation
Whatever view one follows on Mawlid gatherings, every Muslim is called to love the Prophet ﷺ. He said: “None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child and all of mankind.”
Signs of true love
- Following his Sunnah in worship, character and daily life.
- Sending salawat upon him often.
- Learning about his life (seerah).
- Loving those he loved, including his family and companions.
- Defending his honour with wisdom and good manners.
- Spreading his message of mercy.
Sending Salawat Upon the Prophet ﷺ
The command in the Quran
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask Allah to confer blessing upon him and ask Allah to grant him peace” (Al-Ahzab 33:56).
The reward
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever sends one salah upon me, Allah will send ten upon him.”
The Ibrahimi salawat
The most complete form of salawat is the one recited in the tashahhud of prayer: “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.”
Short forms
- “Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.”
- “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad.”
Best times for salawat
- On Fridays, as the Prophet ﷺ encouraged increasing salawat on this day.
- When his name is mentioned.
- In the morning and evening.
- Before and after dua.
Learning the Life of the Prophet ﷺ
Rabi al-Awwal is a natural time for many Muslims to learn about the seerah, and learning his life is beneficial throughout the year. Key topics include:
- His birth and childhood as an orphan.
- His honesty and trustworthiness before prophethood.
- The first revelation in the Cave of Hira.
- The years of patience in Makkah.
- The migration to Madinah.
- Building a community based on faith, justice and brotherhood.
- His mercy to children, women, the poor and even enemies.
- His farewell sermon and passing.
Following the Prophet’s Character
Allah says: “And indeed, you are of a great moral character” (Al-Qalam 68:4). Some aspects of his character to follow:
- Mercy: He was described as a mercy to the worlds (Al-Anbiya 21:107).
- Honesty: Even his opponents called him “Al-Amin”, the trustworthy.
- Humility: He mended his own clothes and helped with household chores.
- Generosity: He gave without fear of poverty.
- Patience: He endured hardship without bitterness.
- Forgiveness: He forgave the people of Makkah after years of persecution.
Practical Ways to Honour the Prophet ﷺ
These actions are agreed upon as good and can be done in Rabi al-Awwal and throughout the year:
- Fast on Mondays, following his Sunnah.
- Increase salawat, especially on Fridays.
- Read a book of seerah or attend a seerah class.
- Revive a Sunnah in your daily life.
- Teach children about the Prophet ﷺ through stories.
- Give charity and feed the poor.
- Improve your character with family and neighbours.
- Learn and memorise his supplications.
Respecting Differences
The Mawlid is an example of a matter on which Muslims hold different views based on sincere scholarship.
The Prophet ﷺ warned against division and taught that believers are like one body. When discussing Mawlid:
- Speak with respect and good manners.
- Avoid accusing others of disbelief or misguidance.
- Focus on shared values.
- Follow the scholars you trust while respecting others.
The Blessing of the Prophet’s Birth
Whatever view a Muslim holds about Mawlid gatherings, all agree that the coming of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ into the world was one of the greatest blessings Allah granted humanity.
Allah says: “Certainly did Allah confer a great favour upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom” (Aal Imran 3:164).
Through him, people were guided from idol worship to the worship of the One God, from injustice to justice and from ignorance to knowledge.
Reflecting on this blessing naturally fills the heart with gratitude.
Gratitude in Islam is expressed by the heart through recognition, by the tongue through praise and by the limbs through obedience.
Remembering the Prophet’s birth can therefore become an occasion to renew our gratitude to Allah for sending him, and to recommit ourselves to following the guidance he brought.
Teaching Children About the Prophet ﷺ
Rabi al-Awwal offers a natural opportunity to help children grow in love for the Prophet ﷺ, and this is something every family can do regardless of their view on Mawlid celebrations.
Tell children age-appropriate stories from his life: how he was kind to animals, how he played with his grandchildren, how he helped at home and how he smiled at people.
Teach them a short form of salawat and encourage them to say it whenever they hear his name.
Help them memorise one of his short supplications, such as the dua before eating or before sleeping.
Involve them in charity, explaining that the Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people.
When children associate the Prophet ﷺ with warmth, kindness and joy, they develop a love for him that will grow with them throughout their lives and guide their character.
Reviving the Sunnah in Daily Life
The most powerful expression of love for the Prophet ﷺ is to bring his Sunnah into everyday life.
This can begin with simple actions: using the right hand for eating, saying bismillah before meals, greeting people with salam, smiling, visiting the sick, keeping promises and speaking gently.
It extends to acts of worship such as the sunnah prayers before and after the obligatory prayers, the night prayer, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and the morning and evening remembrances.
Choose one Sunnah each week to learn and practise until it becomes a habit. Over a year, you will have revived dozens of prophetic practices in your life.
This steady effort reflects the love for the Prophet ﷺ that scholars of every view emphasise, and it brings the blessing of his example into every part of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mawlid an-Nabi?
It is the remembrance of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, often marked in Rabi al-Awwal.
When is Mawlid celebrated?
Many communities mark it on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, though scholars mention different dates for the Prophet’s birth.
Is celebrating Mawlid allowed?
Scholars differ. Some consider gatherings of remembrance permissible when free of wrongdoing, while others consider them better avoided.
Both agree on loving and following the Prophet ﷺ.
What can I do in Rabi al-Awwal?
Increase salawat, learn the seerah, fast on Mondays, give charity and follow the Sunnah.
What is the best salawat?
The Ibrahimi salawat recited in the tashahhud of prayer is the most complete form.
Rabi al-Awwal as a Month of Renewal
Many Muslims use Rabi al-Awwal as a personal checkpoint in their relationship with the Prophet ﷺ. They ask themselves honest questions: How much do I know about his life?
How often do I send salawat upon him? Which of his teachings do I neglect?
Which of his qualities do I most need to develop?
Answering these questions can lead to a simple plan for the coming year, such as reading one chapter of seerah each week, memorising forty short hadith or committing to a daily number of salawat.
This kind of renewal is valuable regardless of one’s view on Mawlid gatherings, because it focuses on knowledge, love and practice.
When the month ends, the plan continues, so that remembrance of the Prophet ﷺ is not limited to a few days but becomes part of the rhythm of the whole year.
Final Thoughts
Mawlid an-Nabi is a subject on which Muslims have differed respectfully for centuries.
Yet beneath the differences lies a shared foundation that unites every believer: deep love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Whether or not you attend Mawlid gatherings, let Rabi al-Awwal and every month be a time to send abundant salawat upon him, learn his life, follow his Sunnah and reflect his mercy in your character.
That is the truest way to honour the one Allah sent as a mercy to the worlds.
Learn the duas and salawat the Prophet ﷺ taught.