Rabī al-Awwal — the third month of the Islamic calendar — is the most beloved month in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. It is the month in which the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ was born, the month of the Hijrah, and the month in which the greatest human being who ever lived entered and departed from this world.
The Month of the Prophet’s ﷺ Birth
The Prophet ﷺ was born on the 12th of Rabī al-Awwal in the Year of the Elephant — confirmed by his own words: “That is the day I was born.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim) The entire month is therefore illuminated by the light of his ﷺ arrival. Imām al-Suyūṭī (d. 911 AH) writes that gatherings of Mawlid — celebrating the Prophet’s ﷺ birth with recitation, ṣalawāt, and remembrance — are a praiseworthy innovation that draws divine mercy.
The Month of the Hijrah
The Prophet’s ﷺ entry into Madīnah al-Munawwarah during the Hijrah also took place in Rabī al-Awwal — on the 12th, according to the majority of scholars. The people of Madīnah came out to receive him singing Tālaʿa al-Badru ʿAlaynā — the full moon has risen over us. Thus the 12th of Rabī al-Awwal marks both his blessed birth and his blessed arrival in the city that became the heart of Islam.
The Month of His ﷺ Passing
The Prophet ﷺ also passed from this world on the 12th of Rabī al-Awwal, 11 AH. For this reason, the month holds a dual significance — joy at his blessed birth and sorrow at his departure. Imām Ibn Rajab al-Ḥanbalī writes that the grief of losing the Prophet ﷺ is the greatest grief a believer can experience.
How to Honour Rabī al-Awwal
- Increase ṣalawāt upon the Prophet ﷺ throughout the month. He said: “Whoever sends one blessing upon me, Allah will send ten upon him.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
- Study the Seerah — read the life of the Prophet ﷺ and share it with your family
- Attend Mawlid gatherings — gatherings of dhikr, ṣalawāt, and love for the Prophet ﷺ
- Give ṣadaqah in honour of his birth, as an expression of gratitude to Allah ﷻ for sending His mercy to the worlds
- Fast on Mondays throughout the month — the day the Prophet ﷺ was born and the day he fasted in gratitude
The Sunnah of Expressing Gratitude at His Birth
The Prophet ﷺ himself established the principle of marking the day of his birth with an act of worship — fasting on Mondays — out of gratitude to Allah ﷻ. Imām Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī derived from this that gathering to express joy and gratitude on the occasion of his birth, in any permissible form, is established by the Prophetic example.
Rabī al-Awwal is the month of the greatest blessing Allah ﷻ ever sent to this world. Let us fill it with love, remembrance, and gratitude. May Allah ﷻ increase us in love for His Prophet ﷺ and grant us his intercession on the Day of Judgement. Āmīn.
