Rabi-ul-Awal

Rabi-ul-Awal (ربيع الأوّل) is the third month in the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims around the world celebrate Mawlid - the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Sunni Muslims believe the exact date of birth of Muhammad  (PBUH) 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 Rabi-ul-Awal means the first [month] or beginning of spring, referring to its position in the pre-Islamic Arabian calendar.


Although historians and scholars disagree on the exact date of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) date of birth, it is commonly celebrated on 12th or 17th of Rabi-ul-Awal. 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 Rabi-ul-Awal night and day. On these occasions sweets and drinks are also distributed widely from home to home and to the general public. In some areas Muslims also exchange gifts.