Mawlid
In its own language: مولد
from Arabic walad, meaning to give birth
An annual festival commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad
Mawlid is an annual Islamic holiday marking the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad on the twelfth or seventeenth of Rabi I. It is widely observed by Sunni and Shia Muslims through poetry recitation, feasting, and public processions.
- First public festival led by General Gökböri in 1207
- Ottomans declared it an official holiday in 1588
- Recitation of poetry praising the Prophet is central
- Salafism and Wahhabism prohibit the celebration
- Date varies between twelfth and seventeenth of Rabi I
What it is
Mawlid is a yearly celebration honoring the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. It falls on the twelfth day of Rabi I for most Sunnis and the seventeenth for many Shias. The event combines religious devotion with social gathering. People recite poems praising the Prophet and share meals. It serves as a public expression of love and respect within the Muslim community.
Where it comes from
The exact start of Mawlid is debated. Some scholars point to early Abbasid practices in Baghdad. Others suggest Fatimid Egypt held early processions. The first major public festival is often credited to the general Gökböri in Erbil around 1207. He was a deputy of Saladin. The Ottomans later made it an official holiday known as Mevlid Kandil in 1588.
How it is done
Celebrations vary by region but often include mahfils, which are gatherings for reciting religious poetry. Streets may be decorated and homes adorned. Feasts are common, sometimes involving the slaughter of animals. Charity is distributed to the poor. In some places, relics are displayed. Night-long prayers and processions occur in cities like Hyderabad and Qayrawan.
Tools and materials
Poetry texts form a central tool. These narratives cover the Prophet's life from conception to death. Sweets and honey are traditional treats. Animal sacrifices provide meat for communal feasts. Decorations light up streets and buildings. Religious hymns and chants accompany the festivities.
Mawlid, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Islamic culture
- Timing
- on the twelfth or seventeenth of Rabi I
What it is for
The main intent is to express gratitude and love for the Prophet. It acts as a reciprocation for his gift to humanity. It strengthens community bonds through shared meals and patronage. For Sufis, it emphasizes the spiritual pre-existence of Muhammad. It also serves as a counter to other religious festivals in mixed regions.
Who does it
Ordinary households participate alongside religious orders. Sufi groups often organize large street events. Scholars recite specific poems like the Qasida al-Burda. Rulers historically played key roles in funding and leading ceremonies. Today, it is a national holiday in many countries, involving civic participation.
Peoples and places
It is celebrated across the Muslim world. India hosts grand festivities in Jammu and Kashmir and Hyderabad. Turkey calls it Mevlid Kandili and recites Süleyman Çelebi's poem. Tunisia prepares Assidat Zgougou. Indonesia celebrates it with great splendor. Morocco observes it as an official holiday with various Sufi orders participating.
At a glance: who, where and when
Who does it
Belief worlds
Occasions
What people believe
Observers view the celebration as thanks to God for sending the Prophet. This justifies fasting and prayer on his birthday. Some believe it reflects the pre-existence of Muhammad in Sufi theology. Opponents call it bid'a, an innovation not practiced by early Muslims. They argue it lacks basis in original traditions.
When it is done
The date depends on the Islamic lunar calendar. Sunnis typically mark the twelfth of Rabi I. Twelver Shias often use the seventeenth. The celebration lasts one day. It occurs annually. Some fast on this day following the Prophet's own example recorded in Sahih Muslim.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Jurists disagree on its permissibility. Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi'i schools generally approve it. Shia scholars also largely accept it. Deobandi jurists see it as a matter of scholarly disagreement. Salafis and Wahhabis prohibit it as a reprehensible innovation. Historians trace its evolution from private sessions to public state holidays.
Cautions and what is closed
Critics argue that hosting these events can lead to coerced donations from guests. Some view the spending as excessive. The practice faces bans in Salafi-majority areas like Saudi Arabia. There are concerns about financial burden on participants. The theological debate remains active among Islamic legal scholars.
Compare and confuse
Mawlid is distinct from Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It focuses specifically on the Prophet's birth rather than religious obligations. In Turkey, it is called Mevlid Kandili. In Egypt, the term can refer to birthdays of Sufi saints. It shares elements with other religious commemorative festivals but centers on Islamic history.
Questions people ask about Mawlid
What is Mawlid?
Mawlid is an annual festival celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. It is observed by many Sunni and Shia Muslims through poetry, feasting, and processions. The name comes from the Arabic word for birth.
When is Mawlid celebrated?
Most Sunnis celebrate it on the twelfth of Rabi I. Many Twelver Shias observe it on the seventeenth of the same month. The date follows the Islamic lunar calendar and shifts each year.
Why do some Muslims oppose Mawlid?
Salafis and Wahhabis consider it a bid'a, or forbidden innovation. They argue it was not practiced by the earliest generations of Muslims. Other jurists view it as a permissible act of gratitude and love.
How is Mawlid celebrated in Turkey?
In Turkey, it is called Mevlid Kandili. People recite traditional poems about the Prophet's life in mosques and homes. The most famous text is by Süleyman Çelebi. It is a widely recognized cultural and religious event.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- BBC NEWS | In pictures: Egypt's biggest moulid, Trance danceBBC, Article
- Mawlid on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Mawlid", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-10.
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