Barawafat or Milad-un-Nabi: A Festival of Gratitude and Blessings

Barawafat is a festival that honors the birth and death of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam and the messenger of Allah. It is also known as Milad-un-Nabi, which means the birthday of the Prophet. It is celebrated on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, which usually falls in October or November. But this year in 2023 it can be celebrated on 27 or 28 September.

Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca in the year 570 CE. He received his first revelation from Allah at the age of 40, and started preaching the message of Islam, which means submission to the will of Allah. He faced many hardships and persecutions from his enemies, but he remained steadfast and patient in his mission. He migrated to Medina with his followers, where he established the first Islamic community and state. He died in Medina in the year 632 CE, after completing his final pilgrimage to Mecca.

Barawafat is a festival of gratitude and blessings for the Muslims, who consider Prophet Muhammad as their leader, guide, role model, and intercessor. They celebrate his life and teachings by reciting prayers, praises, poems, and songs in his honor. They also decorate their homes and mosques with lights, flowers, flags, and banners. They distribute sweets, gifts, and charity to their family, friends, and the poor. They also listen to sermons and lectures about the Prophet’s biography and virtues.

Barawafat is not only a festival of celebration but also a festival of learning and inspiration. It teaches Muslims to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad in their faith, morals, manners, and actions. It also reminds them to seek his intercession and blessings on the Day of Judgment. It also fosters a sense of unity and brotherhood among the Muslims, who belong to different sects, regions, cultures, and languages.

What is the exact date of Barawafat OR Milad-un-Nabi festival?

The festival of Miladunnabi is celebrated on the 12th of Rabi-al-Awal month. The moon of Rabi ul Awal month has been sighted on 16 September 2023. That means 17th September 2022 is the 1st of Rabi-ul-Awal month. The 12th of Rabi-ul-Awal month is on 27/28 September 2023.

What is the history of Barawafat?

The history of Barawafat is related to the origin and development of the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Some of the historical points are:

• The first celebration: The first recorded celebration of Barawafat or Mawlid (the Arabic term for the birth of the Prophet) was in the 11th century CE in the Fatimid dynasty, a Shia Islamic caliphate that ruled over parts of North Africa and the Middle East. The Fatimids held public festivals, processions, and ceremonies to commemorate the Prophet’s birthday on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar.
• The spread and diversity: The celebration of Barawafat or Mawlid gradually spread to other regions and sects of Islam, especially under the influence of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam that emphasized love and devotion to the Prophet. Different countries and communities developed their own customs and traditions to celebrate Barawafat or Mawlid, such as reciting poems, singing songs, decorating homes and mosques, donating to the poor, and offering prayers. Some Sunni Muslims also adopted the 12th of Rabi-al-Awwal as the date of Barawafat or Mawlid, while some Shia Muslims preferred the 17th of Rabi-al-Awwal, which coincided with the birth date of their sixth Imam, Jafar al-Sadiq.

How to celebrate Eid Miladunnabi?

On the day of Eid Miladunnabi, people of Islamic faith take out a procession placing an icon of Prophet Muhammad in a glass coffin and give a message of peace while narrating the life of Prophet Muhammad.

On Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, people distribute sweets and other dishes, distributing honey on this day has special significance. According to many scholars, this is because honey was most dear to Prophet Muhammad.

The opposition and controversy:

The celebration of Barawafat or Mawlid also faced opposition and controversy from some groups and scholars of Islam, who considered it a bid’ah (innovation) or a deviation from the original teachings and practices of Islam. They argued that there was no evidence or command from the Quran or the Hadith (the sayings and deeds of the Prophet) to celebrate Barawafat or Mawlid, and that it was influenced by pagan or Christian rituals. They also criticized some aspects of Barawafat or Mawlid, such as excessive veneration of the Prophet, extravagant spending, and mixing of genders. Some of these groups and scholars include the Ahl-i Hadith, Deobandism, Salafism, and Wahhabism.