Why some Muslims celebrate the Prophet’s birthday- while others refuse to take part

The Prophet Muhammad's birthday will be celebrated this year across the Muslim world on Wednesday 27 September. Many countries with Muslim-majority populations are set to observe the celebration as a public holiday.  

It is regarded as a pivotal event that commemorates the life and legacy of the most important figure in the Islamic faith. 

The Prophet’s Birthday, or Mawlid Al-Nabawi, is traditionally celebrated by Sunni Muslims on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic Hijri year, although there are doubts as to whether this is the exact date. Shia Muslims celebrate on the 17th of Rabi' al-Awwal.

The Hijri year is lunar, with months beginning when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted.  It is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, which is used in the Christian calendar.

When and how the Prophet’s birthday is celebrated has been fiercely debated in the Muslim community.  

Not all Muslims, however, agree that that the Prophet’s birthday should be celebrated. Particularly Wahabbi and Salafi Muslims have staunchly disagreed that celebrations should take place at all, saying that they are not a part of the Islamic faith.

According to Salafi and Wahabbi interpetations, to celebrate Mawlid is a form of “bid-ah,” or innovation, as it is not recognised in the Qu’ran. In Saudi Arabia, where Wahhabism is the predominant interpretation of Islam, the Prophet's birthday is not recognised as a national holiday. 

The celebrations of the Prophet's Birthday can be traced back to the writings of Jamāl al-Dīn Ibn al-Ma’mūn, who died 587 AH/1192 CE.

It was recorded that in the 11th century CE, the Prophet's Birthday celebrations had gained popularity in Egypt and by the 12th century, were embraced by people in other regions such as Turkey, Morocco, Syria and Spain.

In the present day, there have been various forms of commemoration.  Sufi groups in Egypt enter some of the country’s most renowned mosques to conduct what are known as "Halaqat al-Dhikr", or circles of remembrance.

In these circles, the Sufis recite religious poems and nasheeds to praise God and the Prophet Muhammad.