How to Respect Mawlid An-Nabi

Mawlid An-Nabi, celebrated by many Muslims throughout the world, commemorates the birth date of the Prophet Muhammad (A.D. 570--A.D. 632). While Mawlid An-Nabi falls on varying dates on the Gregorian solar calendar, it occurs on the twelfth day of the fifth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, or Rabi al-Awwal. Finding out more about the traditions that surround this special Muslim holiday will help you to learn how to respect Mawlid An-Nabi.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Be aware that Mawlid An-Nabi was not celebrated prior to the thirteenth century and was originally a month-long celebration marked by enormous public feasts. Celebrations of Mawlid An-Nabi are generally much more tempered today.

2. Understand that Muslims pay respect to Mawlid An-Nabi differently and at different times. Most Shi'a and Sunni Muslims celebrate the Mawlid. However, while the Sunni celebrate it on the twelfth of Rabi al-Awwal, the Shi'a observe it on the seventeenth. The Wahhabi, a relatively new sect of Muslim dedicated to orthodox Islam, consider Mawlid An-Nabi to be bid'ah (contradictory to true Islam) and do not celebrate the day at all.

3. Listen to stories and sermons that portray the life and philosophy of Muhammad, particularly of his generosity and capacity to forgive his worst enemies. In schools, children often perform passion plays, recite poems or dhikr (pronouncements of faith) in respect of Muhammad and his teachings.

4. Exercise charity when commemorating Mawlid An-Nabi, as all Muslims do on any holy day. It is traditional to give freely of money and/or food to the poor, as well as to speak and act kindly toward family, friends and neighbors.

5. Help to decorate the local mosque or the homes of friends and family to celebrate Mawlid An-Nabi, during which special songs and prayers are often recited.

6. Prepare a feast to respect Mawlid An-Nabi. A traditional Islamic menu might offer Badinjan Muhassa (eggplant with walnuts and caraway seed) or simple eggplant pancakes, Buraniya (pastry filled with chopped poultry seasoned with coriander and lavender) or Maqluba (ground lamb spiced with coriander, cumin and cinnamon).

7. Read select passages of Naat-Shareef, exalted poetry that has been written specifically in praise of Muhammad. One of the most popular authors of Naat is Hassaan-bin-Thaabit.

Tips & Warnings

• Know that Mawlid An-Nabi is known by several other names, such as Eid al-Mawlid an-Nabawi, Arabic to mean Festival of the birth of the Prophet, and Maulidur Rasul, or Birth of the Messenger of Allah. All are derived from the Arabic root word of Mawalid, meaning to create or give birth.