Q&A about Prophet Muhammad's birth anniversary

CAIRO - 31 October 2019: In the month of Rabi' al-Awwal, Muslims celebrate the Prophet's birthday; one of the most important aspects of the celebration is the establishment street markets to sell candy and Arouset El-Moulid (sugar bride).

Here's all you need to know about the occasion:

1-When was Prophet Muhammad born?
Muhammad (PBUH) was born at the beginning of Rabi' al-Awwal, or on April 22, 570 AD, according to many historians.

2- Who was the first to celebrate the Prophet's birthday?
The Fatimids were the first to celebrate the Prophet's birthday, and they also celebrated the New Year; the day of Ashura; the nights of Rajab 1, Sha'ban 1, and Sha'ban 15; the first of Ramadan; the Feast of Sacrifice; and the Feast of Fitr.

3- When did the occasion's candy appear?
The candy appeared in the Fatimid era, where the Fatimids used religious and public events to invite people for banquets.

4- What is the origin of Arouset El-Moulid for girls and sultan on a horse for males?





Arouset El-Moulid appeared during the reign of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who loved one of his wives and took her out with him on the Prophet's birth anniversary. She appeared in the procession with her white robe and a crown of Jasmine on her head. The dessert makers drew the princess and Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah as a sultan riding a horse on dessert molds.

The famous sweets of Mawlid are made of sugar coated sesame, pistachio, and almond; the Mawlid doll and the sultan on a horse are made of sugar and nuts decorated with colored paper.


Al-Mawlid candies- Egypt Today/Azouz al-Dib


5- When will Mawlid be celebrated in 2019?
On Rabi' al-Awwal 12 (November 9) and it is an official holiday for public sector employees.

6- What are the prices of candy this year?
The high prices of raw materials, most importantly sugar, have led to the rise in the price of the dessert, as the price of a kilo of dessert ranges from LE 40 to LE 300.

7- Can you make candy at home?
Gummy candy can be made at home, but at a high cost; hence people buy it from street markets or shops.

8- What tips should be followed before buying candy?
People should buy sweets from a known and trusted place, they should avoid buying dry candy because it loses moisture due to oxidation, and they should avoid buying cheap dessert as it is made in unlicensed factories. The candy must be well wrapped to ensure cleanliness.





Al-Mawlid candies- Egypt Today/Azouz al-Dib


Mawlid is celebrated in almost all Islamic countries, and in countries that have a significant Muslim population, such as India, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Canada.

Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in the year 570 AD. Muslims around the world celebrate Mawlid (Muhammad's birth) in Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar.