Moolid

Moolid, often rendered as mawlid or milad, refers to birth celebrations within Islamic tradition, most commonly the Mawlid al-Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. The term comes from the Arabic word Mawlid meaning birth or nativity and has entered several Muslim languages and communities in various spellings, including moolid. While the core idea is a commemoration of a birth, the event is understood and practiced differently across cultures.

In practice, moolid celebrations typically involve gatherings that include recitations of poetry and hymns (naat or nasheed), readings from the life of the Prophet (seerah), Qur’anic recitation, and sermons or lectures. Communities may also stage processions, decorate mosques and public spaces, and organize charitable acts, meals, or sweets distribution. The date and form of the celebration vary by region and tradition; many communities observe Mawlid al-Nabi on the 12th day of Rabiʿ al-awwal in the Islamic calendar, while others mark different days or emphasize the event as part of a broader religious season.

Reception of moolid varies widely. Some scholars and traditions view Mawlid as a legitimate devotional practice that fosters religious education, social cohesion, and shared identity. Others oppose it, labeling it bidʿah (an innovation) or arguing that celebration should be restricted to acts prescribed in scripture. Regardless of stance, moolid remains a prominent feature in the cultural and religious fabric of many Muslim communities around the world.