In marking the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), hundreds of British Muslims paraded through Nottingham streets, on Sunday, November 3, Nottingham Post reported.
“We want to get the real message of Islam out and the message of peace and make people aware we are just like any normal human beings,” said Harris Hanif, a volunteer at the mosque in Berridge Road.
“We hope we can inspire our own community and others as well.”
Participants started the procession from the Jameah Fatimiah Mosque in Berridge Road. They read scriptures from the Qur’an and passed gifts and chocolates to passers-by as they marked the Prophet’s birthday or Mawlid.
“It’s something we look forward to throughout the whole year and there are lots of celebrations. The whole month is very special,” Mohammed Ali, a trustee of The Islamic Center, said.
“We want to show the love for the Prophet Muhammad that Muslims have and how he taught us to spread peace.”
The beginning of the parade in Nottingham
Celebrating Mawlid
Historians agree that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was most probably born on the 12th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal around the year 570, as marked by the Gregorian calendar.
The history of the celebration goes back to the early days of Islam when some of the ‘Tabi‘un’ – the 1st successor generation of Muslims who followed the Sahaba or the companions of Prophet Muhammad – began to hold sessions to honor the Prophet (pbuh).
The Ottomans were the 1st Islamic Caliphate to declare Mawlid as an official holiday in 1588. Thus, the festival has become a national holiday in most of the Muslim countries of the world except Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Many Muslims see the Prophet’s birthday as an important time to learn about and reflect on the life of Muhammad, peace, and blessings be upon him.
Around the world, the celebrations include stalls selling Islamic books, leaflets, clothing, prayer mats, and other materials.
While most denominations of Islam approve of the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, some denominations disapprove of this, considering it an unnecessary religious innovation (bid’ah).
Nevertheless, it is by no means commendable to fast on 12 Rabi` Awwal in celebration of the Prophet’s birthday. Rather, some people say that he (peace and blessings be upon him) was born on 9 Rabi` Awwal or even in Rajab, and there are still different views in this regard.