Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi 2024 Date: Check when it is this year, September 15th or 16th

Eid Milad un Nabi, also known as Eid-e-Milad, will be observed from the evening of Sunday, September 15, 2024, to the evening of Monday, September 16, 2024. This date marks the commemoration of both the birth and death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. As the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, the exact date of the observance varies each year.

The Historical Context of Eid Milad un Nabi

Prophet Muhammad is believed to have been born in Mecca around 570 AD. According to Sunni Islamic scholars, his birth took place on the 12th day of Rabi' al-awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, while Shia scholars observe it on the 17th day. This day is significant in both Sunni and Shia traditions, though the exact date of observance varies slightly.

The occasion not only celebrates the Prophet's birth but also mourns his passing, which occurred in 632 AD. The first recorded large-scale observance of Eid Milad un Nabi took place nearly 600 years after the Prophet’s death, predominantly in Egypt during the Fatimid dynasty. Some historians believe the tradition may have originated in Syria or Iraq.

Commemorating the Prophet's Legacy

Eid Milad un Nabi is a time for Muslims around the world to offer prayers and express gratitude. It is often marked by family gatherings, special prayers, and the exchange of greetings. Many visit mosques, shrines, and dargahs to observe the day.

As one devotee described, "It's a day to offer gratitude and prayers, and congregate with family and friends."

In many communities, the day is also marked by the preparation of special feasts and the wearing of new clothes as a sign of respect and joy.

How do Muslims celebrate this festival?

While Eid Milad un Nabi is widely celebrated in many Islamic countries, some conservative Islamic groups, such as those following Wahhabism, Deobandism, and Ahl-i Hadith, consider the observance to be a religious innovation, referred to as bid'ah. As a result, countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar do not recognize or celebrate the occasion, citing its absence from early Islamic practices.