When Is Mawlid al-Nabi 2026?
Mawlid al-Nabi (the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) corresponds to 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1447 AH, falling on Wednesday, 5 September 2025 in the Gregorian calendar (some countries may observe it on 4 or 6 September).
Mawlid al-Nabi Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hijri Date | 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1447 AH |
| Gregorian Date | Wednesday, 5 September 2025 |
| Traditional Birth Date | 12 Rabi al-Awwal ~53 BH (570 CE) |
| Also called | Prophet's Birthday, Milad an-Nabi, Id al-Milad |
Who Was the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Muhammad ibn Abdullah ﷺ was born in Mecca (Makkah), Arabia, around 570 CE. He received the first revelation of the Quran at the age of 40 in the cave of Hira through the Angel Jibril (Gabriel). Over 23 years, he ﷺ received the complete Quran and established the Islamic way of life — Salah, fasting, Hajj, Zakat, and Islamic ethics.
He ﷺ passed away in Medina in 632 CE, having completed his mission: to convey the message of Islam to all of humanity. The Quran describes him as: "And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds." (Quran 21:107)
Scholarly Views on Celebrating Mawlid
The celebration of Mawlid al-Nabi is a topic of scholarly difference in Islam:
Those Who Permit It
Many classical and contemporary scholars — including Imam Suyuti, Imam al-Nawawi, and many scholars of the Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanafi schools — consider gatherings to remember the birth of the Prophet ﷺ, send blessings upon him, and learn his Seerah (biography) to be permissible or even recommended, as long as they do not involve prohibited acts.
Those Who Caution Against It
Scholars such as Imam Ibn Taymiyyah and many in the Hanbali tradition caution that the Mawlid celebration has no basis in the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahaba (companions), and therefore categorise organised celebrations as an innovation (Bid'ah). However, they would not categorise the act of sending Salawat (blessings) on the Prophet ﷺ itself as anything other than excellent.
The Common Ground
All Muslim scholars agree: sending Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ is one of the best acts of worship, and learning his Seerah is an obligation. The day of his birth is a day of immense gratitude — whatever form one's remembrance takes.
How to Honour the Prophet ﷺ on Mawlid
- Increase Salawat: Say "Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad" abundantly throughout the day and night
- Read his Seerah: Pick up a biography of the Prophet ﷺ — Ibn Ishaq's Sirah, Martin Lings' "Muhammad", or other accessible works
- Study the Shamaa'il: Learn about the Prophet's character, appearance, habits, and manners
- Voluntary fast: The Prophet ﷺ fasted every Monday because it was his birthday: "That is the day I was born and the day I received revelation." (Muslim)
- Give charity: Donate in his honour to causes he ﷺ loved — feeding the poor, supporting Islamic education
The Prophet's Birthday: What He Said About It
When asked about fasting on Mondays, the Prophet ﷺ said: "That is the day I was born and the day the revelation descended upon me." (Muslim) — indicating that he himself observed his own birth with gratitude through worship, not festivities. This is a beneficial model for all Muslims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mawlid al-Nabi a public holiday?
Yes, in many Muslim-majority countries: Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Morocco, Libya, Sudan, and others declare Mawlid a public holiday. Saudi Arabia and UAE do not observe it as a public holiday.
What is the correct spelling: Mawlid or Milad?
Both spellings are correct. "Mawlid" is the Arabic origin; "Milad" is a Persian/Urdu variant commonly used in South Asia. "Id al-Milad" is another common form in Arabic-speaking countries.
