The precise date of birth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam

Q. Is the 12^th of Rabi UL Awwal the date of birth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam? Is it correct to host ceremonies on this day?

A. There are major differences of opinions on the precise date of birth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. There is no precise date of birth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam.

However, the precise day of the birth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam is Monday as recorded in the Hadith. Sayyiduna Abu Qataadah Radhiyallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam was asked regarding fasting on Monday. He said; “It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.” (Muslim)

Therefore, instead of hosting ceremonies for the birth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, one should keep fast on Mondays, which is the closest in keeping with the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam.

More so, it is incorrect and inappropriate to commemorate the 12^th of Rabi-Ul-Awwal as the date of birth of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam as there are reports of the 12^th of Rabi-Ul-Awwal also being the date of death of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. (Fataawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya 8/297)

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com