What is Meelad un Nabi in Islamic terminology?

In Islamic terminology, Meelad is to organize a gathering to remember and praise the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, talking about his blessed birth, about his blessed life and achievements, to discuss the high merit bestowed by Allaah Kareem on him.

Hazrat Imaam Jalaal ud deen Suiyyuti 

[Rahmatul Laah Alaieh] 

states,

'The logic behind Meelad is to recite the Holy Quraan, to read the narrations highlighting the blessed birth of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and then to distribute some sweets. The scholars are unanimous that these are blessed deeds and a way of expressing our joy at the arrival of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and to remember his high status.'

[Husnul Maqsad Fil Amalil Mawlid]

The father of Alaa Hazrat Imaam Ahmed Raza, Hazrat Maulana Naqi Ali Khan 

[Rahmatul Laah Alaieh]

states, 

'The concept behind Meelad is that an individual or a group of people gather to sincerely and with the depth of their hearts remember and express gratitude on the greatest bounty of Allaah Almighty and remember his blessed birth, his days of fostering, the Revelations, the incidents of his life and migration.

The Irhas and the Mu'jizaat as shown by him, his blessed nature and character and the high rank decreed by Allaah Almighty to him, to understand the respect and the exclusive characteristics unique to him, to quote the saying of the companions and the renowned scholars, to send excessive Duroods whilst in the gathering and distributes sweets at the end. All this is good, established, and proved.