By Editor
Eid-e-Milad 2023 is a significant occasion that commemorates the birth of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. Every year, Muslims around the world observe this important event. It is widely believed that the Prophet was born in Mecca on the 12th day of Rabee-ul-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar, to Abdullah and Bibi Amina. However, some Twelver Shia Muslims celebrate his birth on the 17th of Rabi’ al-awwal. Interestingly, this day also marks the death anniversary of the Prophet.
Eid-e-Milad 2023 Date and Time: This year, Eid-e-Milad will commence on the evening of September 27 and conclude on the evening of September 28.
The Shia community regards this day as significant because they believe it was when the Prophet chose Hazrat Ali as his successor. On the other hand, the Sunni community dedicates the day to special prayer meetings. People celebrate Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi by organizing grand processions and decorating their homes.
Historical Note: Legend has it that the first Muslim ruler to officially celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday was Muzaffar al-Din Gökböri. Later, the Ottomans declared it an official holiday in 1588, known as Mevlid Kandil.
Today, Eid-e-Milad is celebrated in nearly all Islamic countries, except for some nations with significant Muslim populations, such as Ethiopia, India, Turkey, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, France, Italy, Jordan, and Maldives, among others. Interestingly, it is not an official public holiday and is prohibited in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
How It’s Celebrated: On Eid-e-Milad, numerous countries organize carnivals and grand street processions. Mosques and homes are adorned with festive decorations. People engage in acts of charity, and stories about the life of Muhammad are shared. Some scholars and poets mark the day by reciting Qasida al-Burda Sharif, a famous poem by the 13th-century Arabic Sufi, Busiri.
In India, the day is observed with special fervor. In Jammu and Kashmir, relics associated with Muhammad are displayed after morning prayers at the Hazratbal Shrine. Cities like Hyderabad host grand religious gatherings, rallies, and parades to honor this auspicious occasion.
Eid-e-Milad serves as a reminder of the profound impact of Prophet Muhammad’s teachings and his enduring legacy in the hearts and minds of millions of people worldwide.
