India is known for its unity in diversity with it being amalgamation of many religions. Every religion has its own culture, tradition and norms and also their own festivals. While we recently celebrated Dasara Festival, today we are observing Eid-milad all over the country.
Eid-milad is an Islamic festival, which is the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, who is the founder of Islam religion.
Muslim believers of the Sufi or the Barelvi school of thought mark the birth anniversary of the last Prophet of Islam, Prophet Mohammed by celebrating Eid Milad-un-Nabi or Eid-e-Milad. It is also called Nabid and Mawlid in colloquial Arabic. It is celebrated by the Sufi and Barelvi sect during Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.
The history behind the celebration of Prophet Mohammed’s birthday dates back to the early four Rashidun Caliphs of Islam. Eid-e-Milad celebrations were started by the Fatimids. Some Muslims believe that Prophet Mohammed was born in Mecca on the twelfth day of Rabi’ al-awwal in 570 CE.
Eid-e-Milad is also commemorated as the death anniversary of the Prophet. It was initially celebrated as an official festival in Egypt and became popular during the 11th century. During those days, only the then ruling tribe of the Shia Muslims could celebrate the festival and not the common public.
Eid-e-Milad began to be celebrated by Syria, Morocco, Turkey and Spain only in the 12th century and thereafter some Sunni Muslim sects too began to celebrate the day. Since its celebration began in Egypt, the Muslims offered prayers after which the ruling tribe delivered speeches and narrated verses from the Holy Quran followed. It was then followed by a large public feast. The ruling clan people were given respect as they were considered to be representatives of Mohammed.
With time, the practices got modified with the greater influence of Sufi Muslims, and celebration was done with animal sacrifices, public discourses, night-time torchlight parades.
Today, Muslims celebrate Eid-e-Milad by wearing new clothes, offering prayers, and exchanging gifts. Muslim community assembles at a mosque or a dargah and begins their day with a morning prayer followed by a procession. Kids are narrated stories of Prophet Muhammad’s life from the Holy Quran. The festival is celebrated by conducting night-long prayers. Friends and family are invited to these social gatherings.
Festivals give new spirit, and enthusiasm to our lives.
