Mouloud is a term used to refer to the observance of the birthday of the
Islamic prophet Muhammad which occurs in Rabi al-awwal.
Mouloud is derived from the Arabic root word, meaning to give birth, bear
a child, descendant. The Prophet peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him
was born in the city of Makkah in the Year of the Elephant.
It is considered that the most perfect expression of love and honour for him
is by following him, obeying him, carrying out his commands, upholding and
reviving his Sunnah both inwardly and outwardly and in spreading his message
and striving in this, with the heart, the hand and the tongue. Such was the
path of the Companions and those who followed them in goodness.
Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet) is celebrated in most Muslim countries.
Muhammed was born in Mecca, now in Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 of the
Gregorian calendar. Sunni Muslims observe the Prophet Muhammed's birthday on
the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal, while Shi'a Muslims mark
it on the 17th of this month.
Mawlid, or Milad, Mouloud is celebrated in a carnival manner, large street
processions are held and homes or mosques are decorated. Charity and food is
distributed, and stories about the life of prophet Muhammad are narrated with
recitation of poetry by children. Sheep is a main food on this special day.
There are mixed beliefs on how one observes Muhammed's birthday. Some people
see the Prophet's birthday as an event worthy of praise. Others view the
celebration of birthdays as contradictory to Islamic law. Some will do night
They mark the occasion by spending more time to read the Koran. Muhammed is
said to have been born on a Monday and some scholars see fasting during the
hours of daylight on Mondays as another way to celebrate his birth.
The term Mawlid is used in Egypt and Sudan to refer to the birthdays of both
Muhammed and local Sufi saints. The birthdays of about 3000 Sufi saints are
marked or celebrated. The word Mawlid, or Milad, depending on the method of
transliteration used, comes from the Arabic word for birth and usually refers
to the anniversary of Muhammed's birth. This observance is also known as
Mevlid Serif in Turkish, Mawlud Sharif in Urdu and Maulidur-Rasul in Malay.
Mawlid is a public holiday in many Islamic countries.