Mawlid Al-Nabi 2012: Muslims Celebrate The Birth Of The Prophet Muhammad (PHOTOS)

Mawlid al-Nabi (also Mawlid, Milad) is the observation of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. In 2012, Mawlid al-Nabi is observed on Feb. 4 by Sunni Muslims and Feb. 9 by Shia Muslims.

The earliest account of the observance of Mawlid can be found in 8th century Mecca. Historically, this was a festival of the Shia ruling class and the first official public celebrations occurred in Egypt towards the end of the 11th century. Gradually it spread throughout the Muslim world, with the first Sunni Muslim celebration taking pace in 12th century Syria. However, Islamic scholars and theologians are divided on whether observing Mawlid is permissible within Islam. The vast majority of Wahabi scholars forbid the celebration of Mawlid, calling it bidah (an innovation) because the companions of Muhammad and the second and third generation of Muslims did not observe the event.

Today, Mawlid is celebrated in the form of a carnival in many countries. Street processions are held and homes and mosques are decorated. Food is distributed widely. Stories about the life of Prophet Muhammad are narrated and devotional poetry is recited. One of the most popular poems recited during Mawlid is Qasida al-Burda Sharif, a poem composed in the 13th century in praise of the Prophet Muhammad.

Below, a short recitation from Qasida al-Burda Sharif:

Comments

[The Man on the street]

04:44 PM on 02/13/2012

Is the birth of Prophet Muhammad a Major Holiday, like the Day of Ashura last December, or is it a minor holiday like the observance of the birth of the Prophet Isa (aka Jesus) last December?

[bigbadude]

09:18 PM on 02/11/2012

I wonder what makes him so special?Their are criminals who do the same things?
We do not worship them.
Jesus Christ said there are 2 great command ments to love God with all your heart soul and mind and love your neibor as your self. ( only God could have a idea like that do you see the good in it)

[nerak kneeling]

04:49 AM on 02/10/2012

wow If people got that excited about Jesus , why he might return.

[John Ramsey001]

03:07 PM on 02/08/2012

If Muhhamad is only a prophet, why do muslims idolize him?

[SonOfUgh]

07:00 PM on 02/08/2012

Why do Christians idolise Jesus? It doesn't sound to me, from what I have read, that Jesus would have wanted that.

[John Ramsey001]

09:26 AM on 02/09/2012

Jesus is God. IS Muhammad God?

[pg4awhile]

11:53 PM on 02/05/2012

We can have Islam or Freedom. Pick on because we can not have both . For all those who say its their religion. These people are totally against women, children and your own belief. So I say Pick One American and decide your future. We can have a bright future or a future of despair. Stand for what your grandparents stood for. If you love freedom you can not love Islam. THIS IS A FACT !!

[TheLibraryOfCodex]

03:34 AM on 02/06/2012

If you love freedom, you also can't love Christian fundamentalism.

[BleedingHeart8587]

06:54 AM on 02/07/2012

I know a very loving Muslim couple who aren't against children or women thank you very much. She decided to wear the Hijaab her husband didn't force her too.

[pg4awhile]

11:02 AM on 02/07/2012

You may know a very loving muslim. I know many exist , so try and understand & don't take things literally ..I ask you to go yourself into a Muslim country & your whole outlook would change. Your friend chooses to wear the hijab now, but in her country I can bet she's more than likely made to wear it. It's not a choice in most Muslim country's & it's getting wors. Women do not have righs like women here. So before you take things so literal & just because you know 1 Muslim. Go visit the Middle East & you will change. Or you will join them. If you notice. That's what it's coming do 2.

[The Man on the street]

05:11 PM on 02/13/2012

I read somewhere that the hijaab is neither required or sanctioned by Islam, but it's just a cultural artifact of ancient Saudi tribal paternalism, that the men in control over the centuries have forced on the women because they could.

[pg4awhile]

11:10 PM on 02/05/2012

Rev I saw a pail horses riding and a 3rd of the earh was destroyed. The word pale means green or light green. Any of this look green to you ? Umm. It's coming. We're going home :) Jesus is on his way to gather his people from the 4 corners of the earth. I pray for those who do not know him and love those who hate us .. God bless

[profhdjr]

02:20 PM on 02/05/2012

All praises to the Prophet Muhammad.

[AntithiChrist]

08:36 PM on 02/05/2012

Such a hale and hearty fellow. And such appetites!

- Ayesha

[riff4u]

06:51 AM on 02/14/2012

I guess you haven't heard that your fantasy has been debunked.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-david-liepert/islamic-pedophelia_b_814332.html

[theveggiedude]

01:57 PM on 02/05/2012

I think you are mistaken. If Islam never existed, you assume the Christians would have been kinder to the other people of the middle east over history. You assume the US military today would never be in that region of the world, because we would never have any economic interest at all with them.

[Jeff Rosenbury]

07:39 PM on 02/05/2012

The real question is, would the number zero exist? Without that most of our technology wouldn't exist either.

Gotta go, the horses need feeding for that 10 mile drive to town tomorrow and computers don't exist either.

On such small things civilization rests.

[pg4awhile]

11:14 PM on 02/05/2012

Oh please lol. Did you know that the Islam world has contributed 1% to science & new breakthrough's. You would think if Allah was on your side y'all would be smarter .. No disrespect , but can you tell me why this is so ? If you go into a middle east country it smells so bad and it's dirty. Why is this? Y'all pray 7 times a day , but still make no progress. The only thing I see is Killing. If you want to convert someone do it with peace and you will convert so many more. This is why I'm sorry , but do not believe

[cwright12184]

07:37 PM on 02/04/2012

So do they agree on the date at least?? Ridiculous.

[sandalwood]

06:40 PM on 02/04/2012

Is there nothing which does not make Muslims bicker among themselves? To even have strong differences of opinion on this issue, to the point of becoming ready to pronounce "Kafir!!!"... very sad, for what should ostensibly be a universally happy and conflict-free day for all Muslims.

[Semprini]

08:30 PM on 02/04/2012

It's such a waste of energy, at best. These sorts of things baffle me.

[The Man on the street]

05:14 PM on 02/13/2012

Tell that to the Christians who celebrate Christmas and Easter on different days!

[Junius Gallio]

06:02 PM on 02/04/2012

Should I advocate that Hallmark stop carrying religious Christmas cards?

[timesrtough]

06:57 PM on 02/04/2012

Well we might want to do that as soon as we find that the "leader" of any MODERN day and enlightened religious holiday calls for the killing, enslavement and physical and emotional abuse of women & children, death to those that question or attempt to leave, and preaches for the violent enforcement of their personal religion. Again, catch the word modern as in "has changed and adapted". Yea, then perhaps we should stop carrying those cards.

[season555]

04:28 PM on 02/04/2012

I wish the *&^%$ Saudi Royal family took better care of historical places of Islam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0TXLZF1yxs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJBbkIEMquo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVLUdIJSFfA&feature=related

[Vlad Roudenko]

07:10 PM on 02/04/2012

The last link is of great importance.

[season555]

07:48 PM on 02/04/2012

thanks

[Molly D]

06:20 PM on 02/05/2012

Also thanks.

[LMPE]

04:22 PM on 02/04/2012

Hey! That was only three countries! You totally omitted the Middle East.

[season555]

04:19 PM on 02/04/2012

Rasulallah in Medinah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw37UcDMaqk

[season555]

04:14 PM on 02/04/2012

A beautiful song celebrating our habibi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLFW---YSWE&list=FLmDrTRtVQHw6-HGpjgswwuA&index=5&feature=plpp_video