Rabi‘ al-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic calendar. It holds a special place in Islamic history as it was in this month that the Leader of all Messengers, the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ, was both born and passed away. These two events are of immense significance for the Muslim Ummah. However, over time, certain un-Islamic customs have become associated with this month which have no basis in Islam. It is therefore necessary to understand the true nature of Rabi‘ al-Awwal and to be aware of both the historical realities and the innovations attached to it.

Virtues:

There is no specific virtue or worship mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith regarding Rabi‘ al-Awwal. It is, like the other months, a creation of Allah Almighty, in which acts of worship may be performed just as in any other time.

Recommended Practices:

No special acts of worship have been prescribed for this month.
Regular acts such as prayer, fasting, recitation of the Qur’an, remembrance of Allah, supplication, and charity should continue as usual.
The greatest blessing lies in taking this month as an opportunity to reflect upon and practice the teachings and Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

Customs and Innovations (Bid‘ah):

Sadly, many customs and innovations have spread in relation to Rabi‘ al-Awwal that are not part of Islam:

Greeting one another with “Eid Mubarak” upon the sighting of the crescent of Rabi‘ al-Awwal or announcing it as an “Eid.”
Organizing gatherings under the banner of Mawlid that include un-Islamic practices (such as fireworks, music, or extravagance).
Inventing new rituals simply because of the connection with this month.
All of these are impermissible in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah. True love for the Prophet ﷺ demands that we revive his Sunnah, not introduce new customs into the religion.

Major Historical Events (Chronologically):

✅ 1 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
1 AH / 622 CE: The Prophet ﷺ set out from Makkah to migrate to Madinah.

✅ 8 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
1 AH / 622 CE: The Prophet ﷺ left the Cave of Thawr and proceeded towards Madinah.

✅ 12 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
571 CE: Birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Makkah.
1 AH / 622 CE: The Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah and laid the foundation of Masjid Quba.
11 AH / 632 CE: The Prophet ﷺ passed away in Madinah; on the same day Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) was appointed as the first Caliph.
897 AH / 1492 CE: The fall of Granada; Muslim rule in Andalusia came to an end.

✅ 19 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
1 AH / 622 CE: The foundation of Masjid al-Nabawi was laid in Madinah.

✅ 20 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
227 AH / 841 CE: Death of the Abbasid Caliph al-Mu‘tasim Billah.

✅ 21 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
923 AH / 1517 CE: Egypt came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

✅ 22 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
886 AH / 1481 CE: Sultan Bayezid II ascended the Ottoman throne.

✅ 23 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
13 AH / 634 CE: Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA) conquered Basra.

✅ 25 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
5 AH / 626 CE: The Battle of Dumat al-Jandal took place.
15 AH / 636 CE: Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA) captured the Syrian city of Homs.

✅ 17 Rabi‘ al-Awwal
977 AH / 1569 CE: Birth of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

Other Important Events (Month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, without exact day):

2 AH / 623 CE: Battle of Buwat.
2 AH / 623 CE: Battle of Safwan (First Battle of Badr).
4 AH / 625 CE: Expulsion of the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir from Madinah.
7 AH / 628 CE: Battle of Dhat al-Riqa‘.
41 AH / 661 CE: Treaty between Hasan ibn Ali (RA) and Mu‘awiya ibn Abi Sufyan (RA).
170 AH / 786 CE: Birth of Imam al-Shafi‘i.
241 AH / 855 CE: Death of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.
300 AH / 912 CE: Death of the Andalusian ruler Abdullah; accession of Abd al-Rahman III.
465 AH / 1072 CE: Death of Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan.
1349 AH / 1930 CE: Death of Allama Syed Sulaiman Nadwi.
1373 AH / 1953 CE: Death of Qazi Sulaiman Mansoorpuri.

Rabi‘ al-Awwal reminds us that both the birth and passing of the Prophet ﷺ occurred in this month. It teaches us that true love for the Messenger ﷺ is proven not through rituals and innovations, but through adherence to his Sunnah and by molding our lives in accordance with his noble example.

May Allah grant us true love of the Prophet ﷺ and the ability to live by his teachings. Ameen.