The Prophet was born on the
twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month
of the Muslim year. His death anniversary also
falls on the same day. The festival of Eid-e-Miladulnabi
is also popularly known as Barah Wafat the twelfth
day. The day commemorates the birth and also the
death of Prophet Mohammed. Bara Wafat falls on
the twelfth day of the third month Rabi-ul-Awwal
in September/October. Here, Barah or twelve, stands
for the twelve days of the Prophets sickness.
During these days, learned men deliver sermons
in mosques, focussing on the life and noble deeds
of the Prophet. In some parts of India, a ceremony
known as sandal rite is performed over the symbolic
footprints of the Prophet engraved in stone.
It may be noted that Milad-un-Nabi is observed
as a festival only in the Indian sub-continent
and a few Arab countries like Egypt, while most
Islamic countries do not attach any special significance
to this day in consonance with the Islamic principles
of not celebrating birth or death anniversaries.
Barah Wafat does not call for any kind of grand
celebrations as the birth day and death anniversary
of Prophet Mohammed coincidently falls on the
same day. Hence, Muslims spend this period in
spiritual activities. Special prayers meets and
discourses on Quran are also organised in mosques
to mark the day of Milad. |
