PicTure With Muhammad Basharat: Rabi' al-awwal

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Rabi' al-awwal

Posted By Muhammad Basharat

Rabi' al-awwal is the third month in the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims around the world celebrate Mawlid - the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslims believe the exact date of birth of Muhammad to have been on the twelfth of this month, whereas Shi'a Muslims believe him to have been born on the dawn of the seventeenth day. The name Rabī‘ al-awwalmeans the first [month]/beginning of spring, referring to its position in the pre-Islamic Arabian calendar before the practice of intercalation was abolished.

The celebration of the Mawlid is done differently depending on the country. In some areas celebrations begin as early as the first of the month and can continue till the end of the month. Muslims generally put coloured lights on roads streets and their homes and put green flags as well to celebrate. In many countries a procession is also conducted on 12th or 17th of Rabiul Awal night and day. On these occasions sweets and drinks are also distributed widely from home to home, and to the general public as well. In some areas Muslims also exchange gifts as well.

06 Rabī‘ al-Awwal 1404 AH, death of Hazrat Khwaja Allah Bakhsh Abbasi Naqshbandi
08 Rabī‘ al-Awwal, death of Twelver Imām, Hasan al-‘Askarī (see: Chup Tazia)
09 Rabī‘ al-Awwal, Eid e shuja
12 Rabī‘ al-Awwal, traditional Sunni's observe "controversial" Mawlid in commemoration of Muhammad's birthday (as according to most authentic scholars, Muhammad died on 12 Rabī‘ al-Awwal instead )