12th Rabi’ ul-Awwal

Rabi’ Al-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic calendar (in the Hijri calendar) and is one of the most significant times of the year for Muslims around the world. This is especially true for the 12th day of the month. This is Mawlid, the festival marking as it marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), one of the most important figures within the Islamic faith. The 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal for 2026 is set to fall on Wednesday, September 2nd, although this is dependent on the sighting of the moon. This is because the Hijri calendar follows the lunar year, meaning every new month commences and closes by way of the new moon.

Read on to discover more about Rabi’ Al-Awwal and Mawlid.

What Happened on the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal?

Many Muslims regard the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal as the most notable day in the history of mankind, as this is the day when they celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This blessed day was long-awaited, as his birth had been foreshadowed in earlier divine books. Therefore, the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal is remembered by Muslims as the day that humanity was blessed with the one who led humanity from darkness to light. This is why the festival of Mawlid marks this occasion every year – the word derives from the Arabic ‘walad’, meaning ‘descendant’ or ‘to give birth’.

The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Mecca in the Gregorian year of 570AD and, although the exact date of his birth is unclear, it’s celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi’ Al-Awwal.

Mawlid is a public holiday in the majority of Islamic countries, excluding Qatar and Saudi Arabia. On this day, homes and mosques are often decorated with green and gold banners, streamers or bows as these are the colours of Islam. Street processions take place and stories are told about the Prophet (PBUH) via songs and poems. Many celebrations also include communal feasting on street food or meals brought by each family to the festival.

The History of Mawlid

Though Mawlid is now considered a public holiday, this wasn’t always the case and used to be something that was solely observed privately in people’s homes. These observations often involved torchlit processions, feasts, sermons, and animal sacrifices, some of which are still performed today in honour of the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal.

How is the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal Celebrated Today?

As previously mentioned, some Muslims take this day as an opportunity to decorate their homes, rejoice in street parties, and tell tales of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) life. Despite this, this isn’t the only way that people choose to honour the birth of the Prophet (PBUH).

Some Muslims believe that birthdays should not be celebrated, since they are non-religious occasions that imitate religious ones. These adherents hold that the only suitable way to mark a birthday is as an expression of gratitude to Allah (SWT) for his sustenance and blessings, and this cannot be done on behalf of someone else. Therefore they choose to mark Eid al Mawlid in more private and spiritually focussed ways.

For instance, some individuals may choose not to celebrate, but rather perform deeds that allow them to improve upon themselves as devout Muslims. These deeds include donating food and other goods to charity or dedicating more time to reading the Qur’an on this day. Additionally, since the Prophet (PBUH) was born on a Monday, some Muslims will fast during the daylight hours of Monday in order to honour his blessed birth.

It’s also common for Muslims to mark Eid al-Mawlid in a combination of ways – communal celebration with friends, family and their community, personal spiritual reflection and prayer and embodying the deeds and principles of the Prophet (PBUH) with good deeds on Mawlid.

Why the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal is Important

The first reason why the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal is so important is that it honours the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was a crucial figure in the forming of the Muslim religion. In the absence of the Prophet (PBUH), Islam wouldn’t be how we know it today; he was the one who received Allah’s (SWT) revelations and spread his teachings to the wider community. As a result, the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal allows Muslims to commemorate the Prophet (PBUH) and his contributions to Islam.

In addition to the remembrance of the Prophet (PBUH), the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal also brings the Ummah (the global Muslim community) together. Communal meals, parades, and prayer meetings that take place on this day present the perfect opportunity to connect with our brothers and sisters in a spiritual capacity.

Last but not least, the 12th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal also reiterates the significance of the Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings. Ultimately, this day isn’t about glorifying an individual, but rather emphasising the meaning of the Qur’an’s teachings and completing good deeds that make us better Muslims.

Virtues of the 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal

The deep significance of this holy day means that many Muslims will take it as an opportunity to inherit virtues from the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For example, some Muslims will use this day to reflect upon the legacy of the Prophet (PBUH), read his Seerah (life story), or reflect upon his Sunnah.

The birth of the Prophet (PBUH) completely changed the course of history, as Allah (SWT) used him to guide people from darkness to light. His Seerah is incredibly valuable, as his momentous journey through life is something that everyone can learn from. Finally, so many of his insightful Sunnah can be incorporated into our everyday lives to bring ourselves closer to righteousness.

Look After Orphans with Orphans in Need

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born parentless and one of his Sunnah states that we should look after orphaned children. As recorded in Hadith:

““I and the one who cares for an orphan will be together in Paradise like this” and he (PBUH) held his two fingers together to illustrate.” – (Hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari)

Follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) this 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal and sponsor an orphan with Orphans in Need.