Hazrat Ali’s Birthday, observed on the 13th of Rajab in the Islamic lunar calendar, is one of the most sacred occasions for Shia Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the birth of Ali ibn Abi Talib — the first Imam of Shia Islam, the fourth Caliph in Sunni tradition, and the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The day is marked by prayers, religious gatherings, charitable acts, and expressions of devotion that honor his legacy of justice, knowledge, and courage.
When Is Hazrat Ali’s Birthday Celebrated in 2026?
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday falls on the 13th of Rajab, the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2026, it is observed on Saturday, 3 January.
Because the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, the Gregorian date shifts approximately 10–11 days earlier each year. The observance begins on the evening of 2 January and continues through the day of 3 January, as Islamic dates begin at sunset.
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday in India 2026
- Date: 3 January 2026 (Saturday)
- Observance begins from the evening of 2 January 2026
Table of Contents
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday In USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, UAE, Singapore 2026 Dates
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday on Saturday, 3 January 2026
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday on Saturday, 3 January 2026
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday on Saturday, 3 January 2026
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday on Saturday, 3 January 2026
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday on Saturday, 3 January 2026
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday on Saturday, 3 January 2026
Why Does the Date Change Every Year?
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday is observed on the 13th of Rajab as per the Islamic lunar calendar, which is approximately 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar. As a result, the corresponding Gregorian date shifts earlier each year. The exact start of Rajab also depends on the sighting of the crescent moon, which may vary by one day across different countries and local religious authorities.
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday — Overview
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday is a deeply significant occasion observed primarily by Shia Muslims across the world, and with reverence by Sunni Muslims and Sufi communities as well. It marks the birth of a figure who shaped Islamic history through his scholarly wisdom, fearless courage, and lifelong devotion to truth and justice.
The occasion is a time for spiritual reflection, communal prayer, charitable giving, and celebration of Imam Ali’s enduring legacy. Families gather, mosques are illuminated, religious gatherings are held, and food is distributed to the needy — all in the spirit of the values Hazrat Ali embodied throughout his life.
Other Names and Regional Identities
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday is known by several names across regions and languages:
- Wiladat-e-Imam Ali (A.S.) — Arabic/Urdu, most widely used name
- Jashn-e-Wiladat Ali — Urdu, common in South Asia
- Eid-e-Maulood-e-Kaaba — referring to his birth inside the Kaaba
- 13 Rajab — colloquially used across Muslim communities worldwide
- In Persian-speaking communities: Wiladat-e-Hazrat Ali (A.S.)
- Among diaspora communities in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia: Imam Ali’s Birthday
In South Indian Muslim communities, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, the occasion is observed with regional recitations and referred to in local dialects, often as part of broader Shia cultural expressions in those states.
Origins, History, and Legends
Hazrat Ali was born inside the Kaaba in Mecca around 599–600 CE — a distinction shared by no other figure in Islamic history. His mother, Fatimah bint Asad, is said to have entered the Kaaba when the time of birth approached, and the walls are believed to have miraculously opened to receive her. He remained inside for three days before emerging, and it is said the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the first to hold him.
Raised in the household of the Prophet from a young age due to his father Abu Talib’s financial hardship, Ali grew up immersed in the earliest years of the Islamic mission. He is widely regarded as the first male to accept Islam, doing so at around the age of ten. His marriage to Fatimah al-Zahra, the Prophet’s daughter, and his role as the father of Imam Hasan and Imam Husain placed him at the heart of the Prophet’s family lineage.
Ali served as the fourth Caliph of Islam and is held by Shia Muslims to be the rightful successor to the Prophet. His rule was marked by an emphasis on justice, consultation, and ethical governance. He was martyred in 661 CE in Kufa, Iraq, during the month of Ramadan, and is buried in Najaf — one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam.
His teachings and speeches were compiled posthumously in Nahjul Balagha (Peak of Eloquence), a foundational text in Islamic literature covering justice, ethics, spiritual wisdom, and governance.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
For Shia Muslims, the 13th of Rajab is among the most joyous days in the Islamic calendar — the arrival of a soul that would come to define Islamic scholarship, spiritual authority, and moral courage for centuries.
Hazrat Ali represents the core Islamic virtues of ‘adl (justice), ilm (knowledge), shuja’at (bravery), and zuhd (detachment from worldly excess). He is revered as the Bab al-Ilm (Gate of Knowledge) — a title given by the Prophet himself — and as Asadullah (Lion of God) for his unmatched bravery in battle.
For Sunni Muslims, Hazrat Ali is a towering Companion of the Prophet and an authority in Islamic jurisprudence and Quranic interpretation. In Sufi traditions across South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, he is considered the fountainhead of spiritual lineage and inner knowledge. His birthday therefore carries meaning well beyond any single denomination.
Prayers and Religious Observances
Religious observances on this day center on prayer, recitation, and spiritual gathering:
- Dua Kumayl: One of the most significant prayers in Shia tradition, believed to have been taught by Imam Ali himself, recited in gatherings and homes.
- Salawat and special duas: Blessings upon the Prophet and his family are recited throughout the day and night.
- Majlis (religious gatherings): Scholars deliver lectures on Imam Ali’s life, battles, and spiritual teachings at mosques and imambaras.
- Quran recitation: Verses on justice, truth, and divine wisdom are recited in collective and private settings.
- Tahajjud (night prayers): Many devotees observe night prayers to seek closeness to Allah and draw inspiration from Imam Ali’s spirituality.
- Ziyarat: Those who are able travel to Imam Ali’s shrine in Najaf, Iraq, to pay their respects in person.
Celebrations Across India
India’s significant Shia Muslim population — concentrated in Lucknow, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Varanasi — makes celebrations here among the most vibrant in the world.
Lucknow is considered the cultural heartland of Shia Islam in India. The city witnesses large processions, illuminated imambaras, and public recitations of manqabat (devotional poetry in praise of Imam Ali). Hyderabad hosts community feasts, literary events, and Quran recitation programmes at its historic Shia institutions. In Mumbai, imambaras and community halls hold majlis throughout the day and night, while langar (community meals) are distributed across neighbourhoods. Delhi sees special prayers at mosques and cultural events in Muslim-concentrated areas.
Across cities, streets and shrines are decorated with green lights and banners. Sweets and food are distributed freely to neighbours regardless of faith — an expression of the generosity Hazrat Ali himself exemplified.
Participation Across Religions in India
Hazrat Ali’s legacy and the values he stood for have long drawn admiration beyond Muslim communities. In cities like Lucknow and Hyderabad, Hindu and Sikh neighbours routinely participate in communal meals and cultural programmes. At Sufi shrines across India, qawwali and manqabat gatherings draw mixed-faith audiences who come to honour his spiritual stature. Interfaith events in major cities often feature scholars from different communities speaking about his universal teachings on justice and compassion.
Global and Diaspora Celebrations
Iraq (Najaf): Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine of Imam Ali, making this one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Iran: A national public holiday, observed with city-wide illuminations, state-organised events, and large public processions.
Lebanon and Bahrain: Processions and communal gatherings in Shia-majority areas, with decorated streets and public celebrations.
UK, USA, Canada, Australia: Diaspora communities organise majlis at Islamic centres, livestreamed scholar lectures, and community charity drives. When the date falls on a weekend — as in 2026 — larger gatherings and events are typically organised.
UAE and Singapore: Mosque events and cultural centres host feeding programmes and religious gatherings for community members and workers.
Gifting Traditions
Gifting on Hazrat Ali’s Birthday reflects the spirit of generosity and devotion the occasion calls for:
Nahjul Balagha and compilations of Imam Ali’s sayings are popular and meaningful gifts.
Green-coloured items — prayer mats, tasbihs (prayer beads), scarves — reflecting the colour associated with the Ahl al-Bayt (Prophet’s family).
Sweets and mithai exchanged between families and neighbours as expressions of love.
Charitable donations in someone’s name — sponsoring a meal, donating to an Islamic cause, or contributing to a food distribution — a growing tradition especially among diaspora communities.
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday — Foods and Culinary Traditions
Food is central to the celebrations, reflecting Imam Ali’s own emphasis on feeding those in need. Common dishes and traditions include:
- Biryani and pulao prepared in large quantities for communal distribution at imambaras and community centres.
- Haleem — a slow-cooked stew of wheat, lentils, and meat — especially beloved in Hyderabadi and Lucknowi Shia traditions.
- Shirkhurma — sweet vermicelli dessert served widely in South Asian Muslim households.
- Dates and zarda (sweet rice) offered as blessed food during gatherings.
- Naan and curry distributed as sadqa (charity) to the poor and those in need.
Preparing extra food to share with neighbours, regardless of their faith, is considered an act of devotion on this day.
Music, Art, and Cultural Expression
Manqabat: Devotional poetry and songs in praise of Imam Ali, performed in Urdu, Arabic, Persian, and Indian regional languages. The tradition of manqabat writing in Lucknow is among the most refined in the Islamic literary world.
Qawwali: Sufi devotional music frequently features the names and praises of Imam Ali, performed at shrines and cultural gatherings across South Asia.
Islamic calligraphy: The name “Ali” rendered in Arabic script is one of the most recognisable forms of Islamic art, and special prints, artworks, and digital illustrations are widely shared on this occasion.
Social media art: Illustrated posts, animated reels, and digital calligraphy have become a hallmark of 13 Rajab celebrations among younger generations globally.
Modern Observance and Evolving Practices
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday has grown in visibility and reach in the digital age. Many imambaras and Islamic centres now livestream majlis gatherings, enabling diaspora communities across continents to participate in real time. Social media platforms are flooded with “Wiladat Mubarak” posts, Nahjul Balagha quotes, and infographics on Imam Ali’s life.
Among younger Muslims, the occasion is increasingly observed through quiz competitions, documentary screenings, and essay contests on Imam Ali’s contributions. Community-run charitable initiatives — food drives, blood donation camps, and welfare distributions — are gaining momentum as modern expressions of the values he stood for.
How to wish someone: Say “Wiladat Mubarak” (Blessed Birth) or “Jashn-e-Wiladat Mubarak”. “Ya Ali Madad” — invoking Imam Ali’s blessings — is also a common and heartfelt greeting on this day.
Cultural Reflection
Hazrat Ali’s Birthday endures as far more than a religious commemoration — it is a living reminder of values that transcend time and tradition. His commitment to justice for all people regardless of status, his deep scholarship, his courage in battle, and his compassion for the poor continue to speak to generation after generation. From the illuminated imambaras of Lucknow to the community halls of London and Toronto, the 13th of Rajab gathers people in shared celebration of a life that shaped Islamic civilisation and still guides millions today.