17th of Rabi’ al-Awwal marks beginning of ten-day period celebrating blessed Birth of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, peace be upon them

On the 17th of Rabi’ al-Awwal, Muslims around the world commemorate the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) with joyous celebrations. This significant occasion marks the start of a ten-day period dedicated to honoring these two revered figures, emphasizing their teachings in the pursuit of moral and spiritual elevation, a primary goal of the Prophet’s mission.

According to Shia belief, the Holy Prophet, the Chosen One, was born in 570 AD at dawn on a Friday, known as the Year of the Elephant, when Abraha attempted to destroy the Kaaba with an army of elephants but was divinely thwarted.

Historical texts, including “Bihar al-Anwar,” “Amali al-Saduq,” and “Hilyat al-Abrar,” describe miraculous events surrounding his birth, such as the scent of musk emanating from his pure body and a radiant light from his forehead; a light that illuminated the world from Hijaz. On that day, idols around the world fell, the fourteen battlements of the Khosrow Palace collapsed, the Lake of Saveh dried up and turned into a salt flat, and in the valley of Saveh, where no one had seen water for years, water began to flow, and a fire temple which had not ceased to burn for 1,000 years in Persia extinguished.

His honourable name is Muhammad, and his kunya is Abu al-Qasim. His father’s name was Abdullah, and his mother’s name was Amina bint Wahb.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, the Master of the Shia Denomination, was also born on this day in 83 A.H. His father was Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, peace be upon him, and his mother was Umm Farwah. He is known by the title “al-Sadiq” and the kunya “Abu Abdullah.”

On the occasion of this blessed day and the ten-day period commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), many mosques, husseiniyahs, centers, institutions, and other religious and spiritual organizations in various cities and countries around the world are holding different celebrations and joyful events during this time.

Centers associated with the esteemed Shia Marja, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Hosseini al-Shirazi, in various cities and countries worldwide, are honouring this blessed period by organizing grand celebrations and festivities.