Why Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH) falls on a different date every year
The upcoming holiday is one of four public holidays in the UAE that rely on the Islamic calendar to determine when it begins.
Also known as the Hijri calendar, the Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, unlike the more widely used Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun.
The lunar calendar is used predominantly by Muslims around the world to determine the dates of religious events and observances.
And this fundamental difference impacts how the calendar operates and why Islamic dates shift annually in relation to the Gregorian calendar.
Credit: Pexels
How long is each Islamic month?
Each Islamic month lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon's visibility. Consequently, a lunar year is approximately 354 or 355 days long, which is about 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar year used in the Gregorian calendar.
Because of the shorter year, Islamic months drift through the Gregorian calendar.
You might also like: Eid Al Adha break will fall over the weekend this year: Here's why this public holiday won't shift
This discrepancy causes Islamic months to shift backwards through the seasons over a 33-year cycle. Which is why 2024 was the first time in 24 years that Ramadan took place during the winter time. It will keep shifting and eventually take place in the summer again.
In the Islamic calendar, a new month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. This can sometimes lead to slight variations in the start of months between different regions due to differences in moon sighting. (This also explains why Ramadan and Eid start on different days in different countries).
You might also like: The UAE public holidays law explained
Key Islamic celebrations such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, and the Hajj pilgrimage are all determined by the Islamic calendar, making them 'movable feasts' relative to the Gregorian calendar.
What are the Islamic calendar months?
The Islamic calendar is also made up of 12 months, each beginning with the sighting of the new moon. These months are:
Muharram Safar Rabi' Al Awwal Rabi' Al Thani Jumada Al Awwal Jumada Al Thani Rajab Sha'ban Ramadan Shawwal Dhu Al-Qa'dah Dhu Al-Hijjah
So… when is the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 2025 (PBUH) in 2025?
Officially, we get one day off work to mark Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 2025 (PBUH).
Current astronomical predictions indicate that the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH), which falls on the Islamic date of Rabi' Al-Awwal 12 every year, should fall on Friday September 5 in the UAE. This would give Dubai residents a three-day long weekend when combined with Saturday and Sunday.
But if Rabi' Al-Awwal begins on Sunday August 24, then Prophet Muhammad's birthday (PBUH) should fall on Thursday September 4.
However, the public holiday law states that holidays can be moved to the beginning or end of the week to provide a longer holiday. Which could mean that even if Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH) falls on Thursday, the public holiday will be on Friday instead.
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Time Out Dubai
a day ago
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Why Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH) falls on a different date every year
In Dubai, public holidays such as the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH) move around the calendar and start on a different day every year. The upcoming holiday is one of four public holidays in the UAE that rely on the Islamic calendar to determine when it begins. Also known as the Hijri calendar, the Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, unlike the more widely used Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun. The lunar calendar is used predominantly by Muslims around the world to determine the dates of religious events and observances. And this fundamental difference impacts how the calendar operates and why Islamic dates shift annually in relation to the Gregorian calendar. Credit: Pexels How long is each Islamic month? Each Islamic month lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon's visibility. Consequently, a lunar year is approximately 354 or 355 days long, which is about 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar year used in the Gregorian calendar. Because of the shorter year, Islamic months drift through the Gregorian calendar. You might also like: Eid Al Adha break will fall over the weekend this year: Here's why this public holiday won't shift This discrepancy causes Islamic months to shift backwards through the seasons over a 33-year cycle. Which is why 2024 was the first time in 24 years that Ramadan took place during the winter time. It will keep shifting and eventually take place in the summer again. In the Islamic calendar, a new month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. This can sometimes lead to slight variations in the start of months between different regions due to differences in moon sighting. (This also explains why Ramadan and Eid start on different days in different countries). You might also like: The UAE public holidays law explained Key Islamic celebrations such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, and the Hajj pilgrimage are all determined by the Islamic calendar, making them 'movable feasts' relative to the Gregorian calendar. What are the Islamic calendar months? The Islamic calendar is also made up of 12 months, each beginning with the sighting of the new moon. These months are: Muharram Safar Rabi' Al Awwal Rabi' Al Thani Jumada Al Awwal Jumada Al Thani Rajab Sha'ban Ramadan Shawwal Dhu Al-Qa'dah Dhu Al-Hijjah So… when is the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 2025 (PBUH) in 2025? Officially, we get one day off work to mark Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 2025 (PBUH). Current astronomical predictions indicate that the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH), which falls on the Islamic date of Rabi' Al-Awwal 12 every year, should fall on Friday September 5 in the UAE. This would give Dubai residents a three-day long weekend when combined with Saturday and Sunday. But if Rabi' Al-Awwal begins on Sunday August 24, then Prophet Muhammad's birthday (PBUH) should fall on Thursday September 4. However, the public holiday law states that holidays can be moved to the beginning or end of the week to provide a longer holiday. Which could mean that even if Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH) falls on Thursday, the public holiday will be on Friday instead. More news in Dubai There will be two Ramadans in 2030 – here's why This won't happen again until 2063 When you can expect three Eid holidays in one year (yes, three) Eid, sleep, repeat UAE public holidays 2026: All the predicted days off next year revealed Including when we can expect a six-day weekend
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The intestacy rules may not reflect your relationships or your wishes – and once you're gone, it's too late to change that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Taking the time to write a will now offers peace of mind, ensures your assets go where you want them to, and gives your family clarity and comfort in the future. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
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Dying without a will can cause unexpected outcomes - make sure your wishes are clear 📝 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Dying without a will means your estate is divided by strict legal rules, not your wishes Only spouses, civil partners, and close relatives can inherit under intestacy laws Unmarried partners and stepchildren are excluded unless named in a will Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland Writing a will ensures your assets go where you want and helps avoid family disputes Many of us put off writing a will, especially when we're young, healthy, or don't feel we own much worth planning for. But dying without a will – known legally as dying "intestate" – means your estate will be divided according to strict government rules, not your personal wishes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This can lead to confusion, disputes, and outcomes you never intended. Here's what happens when someone dies without a will in the UK, and why making one sooner rather than later is a wise decision. What are the Rules of Intestacy? (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels The rules of intestacy are a set of legal guidelines that determine how a person's estate (their property, savings, belongings, and any other assets) is distributed if they die without leaving a valid will. These rules are set out in the Administration of Estates Act 1925, and they apply only in England and Wales (with different rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland - we've included those further along in this article). Crucially, intestacy rules don't take into account your personal relationships, wishes, or circumstances. Everything is decided according to a fixed legal order of inheritance, regardless of what you might have wanted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who inherits what? Under intestacy rules in England and Wales (see below for the rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland), only married or civil partners and certain close relatives can inherit. The order of priority generally looks like this: 1. Married or civil partner + children: If the estate is worth £322,000 or less (as of 2023), the surviving partner inherits everything. If it's worth more than £322,000, the partner receives the first £322,000, all personal belongings, and half of the remaining estate. The other half goes to the children, equally. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If a child has died, their children (the deceased's grandchildren) inherit in their place. 2. Married or civil partner (no children): The partner inherits everything. 3. Children (no partner): The estate is split equally between children. 4. Other family members: If there's no partner or children, the estate passes to other relatives in this order: parents → siblings → nieces/nephews → grandparents → aunts/uncles → cousins. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 5. No surviving relatives: If no relatives can be found, the estate goes to the Crown (known as "bona vacantia"). Who doesn't inherit and interstacy? Some people are automatically excluded under the rules of intestacy, even if you would have wanted them to inherit: Unmarried partners, even if you've lived together for decades Stepchildren or foster children (unless legally adopted) Friends, carers, or charities you support In-laws, even if you're close to them This can be devastating for long-term partners or blended families where children are not legally related to the deceased. What are the rules and processes in Scotland and Northern Ireland? Scotland If you die without a will in Scotland, your estate is distributed according to a three-step process: Prior Rights – Your surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to the family home (up to £473,000), furniture (up to £29,000), and a cash sum (£50,000 if you have children, £89,000 if not). Legal Rights – Regardless of any will, a spouse and children are entitled to a share of your moveable estate (e.g. money, jewellery, investments), typically up to one-half between them. Free Estate – Whatever's left is passed to relatives in a fixed order: children, then parents/siblings, then more distant relatives. If no one qualifies, it goes to the Crown. Unmarried partners and stepchildren have no automatic right to inherit and would need to apply to court for consideration. Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland, the rules are more similar to England and Wales. If you die without a will: A surviving spouse or civil partner inherits everything if there are no children. If there are children, the spouse gets the first £250,000, all personal items, and half of the remainder. The other half goes to the children. If there's no partner, children inherit equally. If no children or partner, the estate goes to other relatives in a set order (parents, siblings, grandparents, etc). If no relatives can be found, the estate goes to the Crown. Unmarried partners and stepchildren do not inherit unless they are named in a will. Why it's important to write a will Many people assume wills are for the elderly or the seriously ill. But life can be unpredictable. Accidents, sudden illnesses, or unexpected deaths can happen at any age. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Having a will ensures that your loved ones are taken care of, and that your wishes are respected, no matter what life throws your way. A valid will lets you decide exactly who should benefit from your estate, and how much they receive. It allows you to, appoint guardians for any children under 18, leave gifts to friends, stepchildren, charities, or other causes, prevent family disputes by setting out your wishes clearly, choose executors to handle your estate, and potentially reduce inheritance tax through careful planning. It's especially important to consider a will if: You're living with a partner but not married or in a civil partnership You have children, including stepchildren You own property, savings, or valuable possessions You've recently separated or divorced You want to support a specific charity or friend Writing a will doesn't have to be expensive or complicated – basic wills can be drawn up for under £100, and there are free will-writing schemes available through charities at certain times of year. Dying without a will can make an already difficult time even harder for your loved ones. The intestacy rules may not reflect your relationships or your wishes – and once you're gone, it's too late to change that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Taking the time to write a will now offers peace of mind, ensures your assets go where you want them to, and gives your family clarity and comfort in the future.
