For Muslims in Bradford and around the world, the next major event in the Islamic calendar is the anniversary of the birthday of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
We are now well into the First of Muharram or Islamic New Year, which began on Monday 9 August 2021.
The next event in the Islamic calendar is Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday which falls within the third Islamic month, Rabi ul-Awwal (also written as Rabi Al-Awwal).
The Prophet’s birthday is known variably as Mawlid, Mawlid al-Nabi, Milad, Eid Milad Un Nabi, Eid al-Mawlid and Eid-e-Milad.
The word ‘Mawlid’ translates to ‘the birth of the Prophet’ in Arabic. The celebration of the Prophet’s birthday is important to Muslims because s increasing love for him and expressing is it is an important tenant in Islam.
Muhammad (PBUH) is a central figure in Islam and is considered to be the founder of the religion and is the proclaimer of the Qur’an.
It is said that Muhammad (PBUH) was born in the holy city of Mecca in 570 AD, believed to be either on the 12th or 17th day of Rabi ul-Awwal.
Muslims believe Muhammad (PBUH) to be a descendent of another prophet, Ismail, who is most known for his story which relates to why Muslims give Qurbani every year. Qurbani translates to ‘sacrifice’ and every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah – the 12th month of the Islamic year, which fell in July this year. Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, for the sake of God.
The name of the third month of the Islamic year, Rabi ul-Awwal, means ‘First Season of Spring’ but, like all other Islamic dates, it changes each year and so it does not necessarily fall in spring.
All Islamic dates move forward by 10 or 11 days a year because the Islamic calendar is lunar and does not align with the solar-based Gregorian calendar used by most of the western world.
The start of any Islamic month is determined by a sighting of the new moon.
Rabi ul-Awwal is expected to begin on or around October 7 or 8 with the 12th day falling on 18 or 119, for Sunni Muslims. For Shia Muslims who believe his birthday falls on the 17th day of Rabi ul-Awwal, Mawlid will fall on 23 or 24 October.
On Sunday 10 October, there will be a procession from Bradford Central Mosque Westgate (BD1 3RU) at 1pm to Victoria Street Mosque (BD9 4RA) at 5pm to mark the prophet’s birthday under the supervision of Pir Syed Mahroof Hussain Shah Arif and Pir Muhammad Habib-Ur-Rahman.
In previous years, thousands of people have turned up to the procession, raising money for various charities including Marie Curie Cancer Care and Bradford Food Bank, as well as donating toys and gifts to children in hospitals throughout the district.
Food will be served throughout the day with separate seating for women available.
