It is said that Prophet Muhammad was the son of Abdullah and the grandson of Abdul Muttalib of the tribe of Qureysh. He was born at Mecca in about 570 AD. In 610 AD, the angel Gabriel was sent by Allah to give revelations to Muhammad. He found some devotees but Meccans did not believe in him. He had to immigrate to Medina, where he became the ruler of the city. Later Islam became one of the most popular religions of the world. In 632 AD, Prophet Muhammad went on a pilgrimage to Mecca followed by thousands of his devotees, where he preached his farewell sermon and later left the mortal world forever.
Id-e-Milad or Barah Wafat is celebrated on the twelfth day of the third month Rabi-ul-Awwal (according to the Islamic calendar). It is celebrated to commemorate the birth and death anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad, which falls on the same day. The word 'barah' signifies the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. During the twelve days, sermons and Koranic texts narrating the life and noble deeds of the Prophet are recited in mosques by learned men.
Also a ceremony known as the "Sandal Rite" is performed over the symbolic foot-prints of the Prophet in stone, kept in some households or mosques. A replica of Burag, the horse on which the Prophet is believed to have ascended to heaven is kept near the foot-prints and is anointed with Sandal Paste. And the casket of foot-prints are decorated and illuminated. Elegies known as 'marsiyas' are sung to commemorate Prophet's last days while the twelfth day, which is the Urs proper, is observed quietly and spent in prayers and alms-giving.
It is considered auspicious to offer prayers and give alms on this day.
"Id-I-Milad";
