The history of the celebration goes all the way back to the beginning of Islam. There was a time when Muslims would gather for religious gatherings in Muhammad's honour. Also, during these sessions, poems and songs were performed and recited in front of large crowds of people. The Ottoman Turks even made this day an official holiday in 1588, renaming it Mevlid Kandil.
And it may be because of this that the term "Mawlid" is also used in different countries, including Egypt, to refer primarily to the birthdays of saints and other religious and historical luminaries.
The Background Of Milad-Un-Nabi
In the early years of Islam, believers used to observe the festivities in solitude. After a while, though, public events started to be held as part of the arrangements. It is stated that Abu 'I' Abbas-al Azafi, a religious expert of the time, was the one who initially began the celebrations. They were first made available in the Spanish city of Ceuta.
Both to enhance ties within the Muslim community and to combat Christian festivals, this was done. According to some estimates, Milad un Nabi dates back to the eighth century. Al-Khayzuran, the mother of Caliph Harun-al-Rashid, effectively transformed the Prophet Muhammad's home during this period into the place of worship.
Milad-un-Nabi was first observed by the Shia subgroup of Muslims. But by the 12th century, this feast had also been embraced by Sunnis. But, originally there was a lot of opposition from the Sunni population. Milad un Nabi did not become widely accepted until sometime in the 15th century. Moreover, some localities proclaimed national holidays on the account of this festival.
Early ceremonies of this holiday included torchlight processions, a Sufi influence, and animal sacrifice. In sharp contrast to modern celebrations, the holidays used to primarily take place during the day.