Birthday of Muhammad Prophet in Iran

Iran’s date and religious context

The Iranian calendar records the Prophet’s birthday on 17 Rabi al-Awwal and places it alongside Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq’s birth anniversary. The national holiday law names the Prophet’s birthday as an official holiday, while a published Iranian calendar entry marks the shared observance as a holiday.[1][2]

The date follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so its position in the Gregorian calendar changes from year to year.[2]

A public holiday under Iranian law

Iran’s national holiday law includes the Prophet’s birthday in its list of official holidays. Iran’s Labour Law treats official holidays as workers’ official holidays, so the day has a statutory workplace significance for workers covered by that law.[1][3]

No substitute day is listed, and individual workplace arrangements are not specified.[1][3]

Meaning and observance

The observance honours Muhammad, whom Muslims regard as God’s messenger and the final prophet. Iran’s calendar joins the commemoration with that of Ja’far al-Sadiq, the sixth imam in Shia Islam, giving the date a specifically Iranian calendar context.[2]

Mawlid is a name used for the commemoration of Muhammad’s birth in different parts of the Muslim world. Accounts of its timing and local observance vary; the Iranian calendar records the date as 17 Rabi al-Awwal.[2][4]

Practical planning

Because the date is an official national holiday and a workers’ official holiday under the Labour Law, residents and visitors should allow for changes to normal work schedules. Check opening hours with the office, bank or shop before you go, and check transport services before travelling.[1][3]