Id-Meelad

Id-e-Milad or Barah Wafat is celebrated on the twelfth day of the third month Rabi-ul-Awwal (according to the Islamic calendar). It is celebrated to commemorate the birth and death anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad, which falls on the same day. The word 'barah' signifies the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. During the twelve days, sermons and Koranic texts narrating the life and noble deeds of the Prophet are recited in mosques. In some places in India, a sandal rite is performed over the figurative footprints of the Prophet engraved in stone kept I an elaborately decorated casket, in which a representation of Buraq (Prophet's horse) kept near the footprints, is anointed with sandal paste. Elegies known as 'marsiyas' are sung to commemorate Prophet's last days while the twelfth day or the 'Urs' is observed quietly. It is considered auspicious to offer prayers and give alms on this day.

It is said that Prophet Muhammad was the son of Abdullah and the grandson of Abdul Muttalib of the tribe of Qureysh. He was born at Mecca in about 570 AD and was in the service of a wealthy widow named Khadijah, who was 15 years older than him. They later married and lived a happy marital life for 26 years. It was after her death that Muhammad took other wives. In 610 AD, the angel Gabriel was sent by Allah to give revelations to Muhammad. He found some devotees but Meccans did not believe in him. He had to immigrate to Medina, where he became the ruler of the city. Later Islam became one of the most popular religions of the world. In 632 AD, Prophet Muhammad went on a pilgrimage to Mecca followed by thousands of his devotees, where he preached his farewell sermon and later left the mortal world forever.