1500 Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ: Celebrating the Birth of the Prophet, the Greatest Event in Human History. Today, Muslims across the globe celebrate Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ, the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This sacred occasion marks the arrival of the greatest mercy to humankind, a day that forever changed the course of human history.
Allah ﷻ describes the Prophet ﷺ in the Qur’an as:
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107)
The Prophet’s birth was not merely the beginning of a life; it was the manifestation of Allah’s ultimate mercy, guidance, and light for all creation. As we approach the 1500th anniversary of his birth in September 2025, today’s Milad holds even greater significance as a moment of reflection and renewal.
The Meaning of Milad
The word Milad is derived from viladat, meaning “birth.” In Islamic tradition, Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ refers to remembering the blessed events surrounding the Prophet’s birth, narrating his Seerah, praising his noble character, sending Durood-o-Salaam, and reflecting on his mission of mercy and justice.
Milad is not restricted to a single day or night. The remembrance of the Prophet ﷺ should be continuous, and every believer is obliged to live by his Sunnah throughout their lives. In this sense, Milad is both a celebration and a means of da’wah, moral upliftment, and rekindling love for the Prophet ﷺ.
Qur’anic Evidence for Celebrating Births
The Qur’an itself highlights the significance of commemorating the births of Prophets:
Allah ﷻ also showed us the greatness of the creation of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). The Qur’an documents how the angels were commanded to bow before Adam as a sign of respect, while Shaitan refused out of arrogance and pride:
“And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate before Adam’; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:34)
- Prophet Yahya (AS):
“Peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised alive.”
(Surah Maryam 19:15) - Prophet Isa (AS):
“And peace is on me the day I was born, the day I will die, and the day I will be raised alive.”
(Surah Maryam 19:33) - The Days of Allah:
“And remind them of the days of Allah.”
(Surah Ibrahim 14:5)
If the day Allah saved Prophet Musa (AS) and Bani Israel from Pharaoh is remembered, then surely the day Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born — when humanity was saved from ignorance — is the greatest of the Days of Allah.
- The Prophet ﷺ as the Greatest Bounty:
“Indeed, Allah conferred a great favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:164) - Rejoicing in Allah’s Mercy:
“Say, in the bounty of Allah and in His mercy — in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.”
(Surah Yunus 10:58)
The greatest mercy of Allah is none other than the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself.
- Sending Blessings:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings and peace upon him in abundance.”
(Surah Al-Ahzab 33:56)
Milad gatherings fulfill this Divine command by encouraging believers to send abundant Durood-o-Salaam.
Lessons from Adam (AS) and the Arrogance of Shaitan
The Qur’an also reminds us of the honor of the creation of Prophet Adam (AS). Allah commanded the angels to bow before him, but Shaitan refused out of arrogance:
- “And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate before Adam’; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:34)
- “[Allah] said, ‘O Iblees, what is [the matter] with you that you are not with those who prostrate?’ He said, ‘Never would I prostrate to a human You created out of clay from an altered black mud.’” (Surah Al-Hijr 15:32-33)
While Shaitan chose arrogance, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ embodied humility and servitude to Allah. The lesson of Milad is to embrace humility, mercy, and compassion, rejecting the pride that leads to downfall.
Hadith Evidence
- Fasting on Mondays:
The Prophet ﷺ fasted on Mondays and said:
“It is the day I was born and the day revelation came to me.” (Sahih Muslim) - Relief for Abu Lahab:
Imam Bukhari narrates that Abu Lahab, though a disbeliever, receives relief every Monday in Hellfire for freeing his slave Thuwaybah when she brought him the news of the Prophet’s birth. (Sahih Bukhari, Vol.2 p.764)
If a disbeliever is rewarded for rejoicing at the Prophet’s birth, how much more for a believer?
- Tracing His Own Lineage:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“I was transferred from the loins of the pure to the wombs of the pure.”
(Tafseer Ruhul Bayan, Vol.3 p.54)
He himself recounted the blessed events of his birth and ancestry, a practice at the heart of Milad.
Scholarly Consensus
- Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti: Milad is a Bid’ah Hasanah (good innovation) filled with blessings.
- Ibn Taymiyyah: Those who celebrate out of love and honor will be rewarded.
- Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani: Commemorating the Prophet’s birth through virtuous acts is praiseworthy.
- Imam Qastallani: “May Allah have mercy upon one who takes the days of Rabi’ al-Awwal as days of celebration, for this is the best cure for the heart.”
Preparing for the 1500th Anniversary
This year’s Milad is not only a celebration but also a prelude to history: the 1500th anniversary of the Prophet’s birth in 2025. The milestone challenges the Ummah to go beyond tradition — not merely singing nasheeds or gathering socially — but to truly embody his Sunnah, to reflect deeply on his message of justice, humility, and compassion, and to carry his mercy into the modern world.
Today, as the Ummah celebrates Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ, we are reminded that this is more than a tradition. It is the celebration of the greatest event in human history, the arrival of the Final Messenger ﷺ. It is a day of love, mercy, humility, and reflection — a day to rejoice in Allah’s greatest bounty.
Let 1500th anniversary Milad inspire Muslims everywhere to renew their faith, strengthen their love for the Prophet ﷺ, and live by his noble example.
