Milad-un-Nabi 2024: The Islamic festival of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi commonly known as Mawlid or Eid-e-Milad commemorates the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.

According to Islamic calendar, Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi is observed on the 12th day of the third month of Rabi’ al-Awwal. This year, the day will be observed from the evening of Sunday, September 15, till Monday, September 16.

The moon sighting for the beginning of the month of Rabi’ al-awwal 1446 AH took place in Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, UAE, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other parts of the world earlier this month i.e. September 2024.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) was born in Mecca in the year 570 CE and grew up to be a respected merchant, known for his honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. At the age of 40, he received his first revelation from Allah, marking the commencement of his mission as Allah's last and final messenger.

Prophet Muhammad's life established a paradigm which Muslims have looked to over the past 1400 years. While he led the ummah through the interpretation of faith, his leadership also brought about a new ethical outlook – an Islamic social conscience inspired by Allah's revelation. He emphasised the dignity of humankind through care for the poor and marginalised, the importance of justice and equity in building a peaceful society, and he cultivated a pluralist outlook in which human diversity was valued and cherished.

The Prophet faced considerable social and cultural challenges, given the prevailing norms and customs in Arabia. He was able to overcome these through his own example of tolerance, trustworthiness and compassion, and, above all, because of the manifest justice of the message he delivered. Many Muslims came forward to share their material resources, as well as their time and talent, to help the Prophet stabilise and strengthen the institutions of din and dunya – faith and society.

In their daily prayers, all Muslims recite salawat by seeking blessings on Prophet Muhammad. The Arabic word salawat is the plural of salat, meaning “prayer.”