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National Mohammad Day – June 16, 2024

National Muhammad Day is celebrated on June 16 every year. This name is an Arabic-given male name that means ‘praiseworthy.’ The name comes from the Arabic verb in passive participle ‘ḥammada,’ meaning ‘to praise,’ which itself comes from the triconsonantal Semitic root ‘Ḥ-M-D.’ It is believed to be the most popular name in the world, and by 2014 it was estimated to have been given to 150 million boys. The name also has one of the highest numbers of English spelling variants in the world.

History of National Mohammad Day

Although this name is known in many corners of the world, it is common to find it in Arabic countries. The truth is that this name is very important to Islamic people since the founder of Islam is named the Prophet Muhammad. It is said that he began to receive spiritual revelations at the age of 40. The holy book of Islam, the “Qur’an,” was revealed to him by the Angel Jibril, also known as Angel Gabriel. This name is extremely common throughout the Muslim world as a personal name.

Muhammad was born as a member of the clan of Hāshim and the tribe of Quraysh. His hometown of Mecca houses an ancient and famous pilgrimage sanctuary, known as the Kaʿbah. Muhammad’s prophetic initiation started when he was 40. During a period of devotional withdrawal at the top of one of the mountains in the vicinity of Mecca, it is said that the angel Gabriel appeared to him in an awe-inspiring encounter and taught him the opening verses of sūrah 96 of the “Qurʾān,” which states as follows: “Recite in the name of your Lord who creates, / creates man from a clot! / Recite for your lord is most generous….”

After this first revelation, Muhammad was greatly perturbed but was reassured by Khadījah and her cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a learned Christian who confirmed Muhammad’s prophetic status. Although Muhammad continued to receive revelations, he decided to speak about them in private for three years. When God finally commanded him to take up public preaching, he initially encountered no opposition.

National Mohammad Day timeline

570 B.C.
Muhammad is Born

He is born in Mecca, Arabia, now Saudi Arabia.

613 B.C
Muhammad Starts Spreading His Revelations Publicly

He starts proclaiming that ‘God is One,’ and that complete ‘submission’ to God is the right way of life.

629 B.C.
Muhammad Gathers an Army

After eight years of intermittent fighting with Meccan tribes, Muhammad gathers an army of 10,000 Muslim converts and marches on the city of Mecca.

632 B.C.
Muhhammad Dies

He dies in Medina, where he is forced to emigrate to with his adherents in 622.

National Mohammad Day FAQs

Is there a difference between Muhammad and Mohammad?

There is no difference. The only difference is that the spelling Mohammed remains the common one in German.

What is the meaning of Muhammad in “Quran?”

Throughout the “Quran,” Muhammad is referred to as the ‘Messenger of God,’ and ‘Prophet.’

Are there any other variants?

Other Arabic names from the same root include Mahmud, Ahmed, Hamed, Tahmid, and Hamid.

National Mohammad Day Activities

  1. Get to know Islam culture

    As Muhammad is an extremely common name throughout the Muslim world as a personal name, this day could be an opportunity to learn about Muslim culture. Search for information about this culture on the internet.

  2. Hold a Muslim party

    To celebrate this day, you can hold a Muslim party and ask your friend to dress in Muslim traditional clothes. You can also cook a typical Muslim dish, such as curry.

  3. Say happy National Muhammad Day to your friends

    If you know someone named Muhammad, this is the perfect opportunity to say to him #HappyMuhammadDay. You can also take a picture with him and share it on social media using the hashtag #HappyMuhammadDay.

5 Interesting Facts About Prophet Muhammad

  1. A descendant of the Prophet Ismail

    Muslims believe Muhammad is a descendent of another prophet, Ismail, who is most known for his story which relates to why Muslims give Qurbani every year.

  2. Muhammad was an orphaned child

    The Prophet’s father, Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, died before Muhammad was born.

  3. Muhammad was called ‘The Trustworthy’

    In Medina, Muhammad was given the name ‘The Trustworthy’ since he earned a reputation as someone who was honest and could be trusted.

  4. Muhammad married his first wife Khadija

    When he was 25, the Prophet was proposed to by Khadija, aged 40 at the time.

  5. He never ate alone

    Muhammad would never eat alone and would always go out of his way to invite others to have dinner with him.

Why We Love National Mohammad Day

  1. It is a day to celebrate other cultures

    This day is also a great opportunity to celebrate other cultures. The culture that can be celebrated on this special day is Islam because Muhammad is a very important name to Muslims.

  2. It is a day to celebrate

    This day is also an opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends. You can spend the day with them talking about the origin and meaning of the name Muhammad.

  3. It is a day to pray

    As stated Muhammad means ‘Praiseworthy’ and derives from the verb ‘to praise.’ If you are a believer, take this day as an opportunity to connect with your spirituality.

National Mohammad Day dates

YearDateDay
2024June 16Sunday
2025June 16Monday
2026June 16Tuesday
2027June 16Wednesday
2028June 16Friday

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