When is Eid Milad-un-Nabi?
Eid Milad-un-Nabi 2027 is on Sunday
Sunday, August 15, 2027
The 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar (the date shown is India's central government holiday; Islamic dates depend on moon sighting, and later years are estimates). That's in 315 days.
until Eid Milad-un-Nabi begins, in your time zone
Eid Milad-un-Nabi, also called Mawlid, marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad with prayers, poetry in his praise, processions, sermons and charity across much of the Muslim world.
About Eid Milad-un-Nabi
Most Sunni Muslims observe the Prophet Muhammad's birthday on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar, while many Shia Muslims mark it on the 17th. The day is devoted to remembering his life and character. Mosques and homes hold readings of his biography and recitations of poetry in his praise, known as naat in South Asia; streets and buildings are lit up and decorated, often with green flags; and processions, shared meals and gifts to the poor are common.
Public celebrations of the Prophet's birthday are recorded among the Shia Fatimid rulers of Egypt in the late 11th century. Sunni tradition regards a festival held at Irbil, in present-day Iraq, in 1207 as the first great Sunni mawlid; it was organized by a brother-in-law of the sultan Saladin. Not every Muslim takes part: Salafi and Wahhabi scholars consider the celebration an innovation without basis in the Prophet's own practice, and it is not a public holiday in Saudi Arabia.
Elsewhere it is a public holiday in many countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia and Malaysia. Because each Islamic month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, the date is confirmed only shortly beforehand and can differ by a day between countries, and even between Indian states. The date shown is the Government of India's holiday for central government offices in Delhi; for 2026 Delhi lists August 26, while Kerala lists August 25. Dates for later years are calculated estimates.
Sources: Britannica: Mawlid al-Nabi, Government of India, Department of Personnel and Training: holidays for central government offices in 2027 (O.M. 12/2/2023-JCA, 16 July 2026). How we check dates.
How to mark Eid Milad-un-Nabi
- Read a reliable biography of the Prophet Muhammad or attend a talk at a local mosque.
- Listen to traditional naat or nasheed recitations.
- Give to a food bank or charity, a common way of marking the day.
- Share sweets or a meal with neighbors, Muslim or not.
- If you manage a team, check local moon-sighting announcements, since the holiday can move by a day.
Eid Milad-un-Nabi dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Friday, September 5, 2025 |
| 2026 | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday, August 15, 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, August 4, 2028 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, July 25, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, July 14, 2030 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is Eid Milad-un-Nabi 2027?
Eid Milad-un-Nabi 2027 is on Sunday, August 15, 2027. It falls on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar (the date shown is India's central government holiday; Islamic dates depend on moon sighting, and later years are estimates). In 2028, it is on Friday, August 4, 2028.
Why do Sunni and Shia Muslims mark the Prophet's birthday on different days?
Early sources disagree about the exact date of his birth. Most Sunnis follow the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, while most Shia follow the 17th.
Do all Muslims celebrate Mawlid?
No. It is widely celebrated, but Salafi and Wahhabi Muslims regard it as an innovation not practiced by the Prophet or his companions, and Saudi Arabia does not observe it as a holiday.
Is Eid Milad-un-Nabi a public holiday?
No. Eid Milad-un-Nabi is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.