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Barah Wafat
The Prophet was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal. This is the third month of the Muslim year. The word 'barah' standing for the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. On such days, there are sermons which are delivered in mosques by learned men. These sermons concentrate on the life and noble deeds of the Prophet.
In some places, a ceremony known as 'sandal 'rite is performed. This is done over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet which is engraved in the stone. A representation of 'buraq', which is a horse on which the Prophet is believed to have gone to heaven and this is kept near the footprints of the prophet. The foot is also anointed with sandal paste or scented powder. The house and casket having all of these are elaborately decorated. There are elegies or 'marsiyas' which are sung in memory of the last days of the Prophet. The twelfth day which is also known as the Urs is observed in prayers and alms-giving quietly.
Id-e-Milad is a festival which has both rejoice as well as mourning. The festival of Id-e-Milad which is also known as Barah Wafat festival, is is one of the important festivals among the Muslim community. This day commemorates the birth and the death anniversary of Prophet Mohammed. This festival usually falls on the twelfth day of the third month Rabi-ul-Awwal of the Muslim calendar. This is usually in September and October. The word 'barah' tells about the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness and during these twelve days, priests and learned men deliver sermons and Koranic texts in mosques. In India, however, the Id-e-Milad celebrations mainly consist of street processions and functions. Here Nats (poems praising the Prophet and his noble deeds) are sung and scholars preach sermons on the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet.
In some parts of the country, a 'sandal' rite is also performed. Prophet Mohammed, son of Abdul Muttalib, of the Qureysh tribe, was born at Mecca in 570AD. From about 610 AD, he began to receive revelations sent down from Allah through angel Gabriel. He spread the word among people, and soon had a small community of followers. 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. The festival mainly commemorates the teachings and beliefs of Prophet Mohammed.
There are a lot of alms giving which happens during the festival.