Al-Baqi Cemetery (Arabic: مَقْبَرَة ٱلْبَقِيع, Maqbarat al-Baqīʿ), also known as Jannat al-Baqi or Baqi al-Gharqad, is the oldest and first Islamic cemetery, located southeast of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia. It contains the graves of numerous members of the Prophet Muhammad's family, his companions, and other prominent figures from early Islam. The cemetery is significant in both Sunni and Shia Islam as it contains the burial places of four of the Twelve Imams, and the graves of prominent figures revered in Sunni Islam.
Historically, al-Baqi contained numerous tombs, mausoleums, and domes. The structures above the graves in the cemetery were demolished in 1806 during the First Wahabi-Saudi control of Medina. The structures were subsequently rebuilt under Ottoman rule, however following the Saudi conquest of Hejaz, it was demolished again in 1926. Since then, the cemetery has remained without any tombs or domes, with graves generally marked by simple stones. Despite the demolitions being controversial across the Islamic world, the Saudi regime has rejected calls for reconstruction.
History
When Muhammad arrived in Medina from Mecca in September 622 CE, al-Baqi' was a land covered with boxthorn. According to historical records, after Muhammad’s arrival, the houses of Medina developed near al-Baqi', which was therefore considered the public tomb. The bramble growth was cleared, and the place was consecrated to be the future cemetery of the Muslims who died in al-Madina. Additionally, al-Baqi’ was introduced as a location with Nakhl on its east side and houses on its west side. In fact, before its demolition, al-Baqi’ was situated behind the houses in the city.
During the construction of the Prophet’s Mosque on the site he purchased from two orphan children after his migration from Mecca to Medina, As'ad ibn Zurarah, one of Muhammad's companions, died. Muhammad chose the spot to be a cemetery, and As'ad was the first individual to be buried in al-Baqi' among the Ansar.
While Muhammad was outside Medina for the Battle of Badr, his daughter Ruqayyah fell ill and died in 624. She was buried in al-Baqi'. Ruqayyah was the first person from the Ahl al-Bayt (Household of Muhammad) to be buried in this cemetery.
Shortly after Muhammad arrived from Badr, Uthman bin Maz'oon died in 3 AH (624/625 CE) and was buried in al-Baqi'. He was considered the first companion of Muhammad from the Muhajirun to be buried in the cemetery. Muhammad also referred to him as the first ‘among us to go to the hereafter,’ and he named the place where Uthman bin Maz’oon is buried as Rawhā.
When his youngest son Ibrahim died, Muhammad commanded that he be buried there as well. He watered the grave and called this place Zawrā. Following his instructions, two of his daughters Zainab and Umm Kulthum, were also buried near the grave of Uthman bin Maz'oon.
Initially, the third caliph, Uthman,Textual Sources for the Study of Islam, by Knappert, Jan, and Andrew Rippin was buried in the large neighbouring Jewish graveyard. The first expansion of al-Baqi' was carried out by Muawiyah I, the first Umayyad caliph. To honor Uthman, Muawiyah incorporated the extensive Jewish cemetery into al-Baqi’s burial grounds. The Umayyad Caliphate constructed the first dome over Uthman’s grave in al-Baqi’. Over time, numerous domes and structures were built or reconstructed over various graves in al-Baqi’.
Demolition The cemetery was demolished by forces loyal to the Wahhabi-Saudi alliance in 1806 and 1925 (or 1926).
First demolition At the beginning of the nineteenth century, during the Wahhabi control over Mecca and Medina in 1806, many religious buildings, including tombs and mosques, were demolished. This demolition occurred both inside and outside al-Baqi, in accordance with the Wahhabi interpretation of Islamic doctrine that forbids idolatry. These structures were razed to the ground due to Wahhabi claims of grave worship.
Second demolition The House of Saud regained control of the Hijaz in 1924 or 1925. The following year, King Ibn Saud granted permission to destroy the site, with religious authorization provided by Qadi Abd Allah ibn Bulayhid. The demolition began on 21 April 1926 (or 1925) by the Ikhwan ("The Brothers"), a Wahabbi religious militia. The demolition included destroying "even the simplest of the gravestones.". The British convert Eldon Rutter compared the demolition to an earthquake: "All over the cemetery, nothing was to be seen but little indefinite mounds of earth and stones, pieces of timber, iron bars, blocks of stone, and a broken rubble of cement and bricks, strewn about."
The second demolition was discussed in the Majles-e Shora-ye Melli (the National Consultative Assembly of Iran), and a group of representatives was sent to Hijaz to investigate. In recent years (1982), efforts have been made by Iranian religious scholars and political figures to restore the cemetery and its shrines. Both Sunni and Shia communities protested the destruction, and rallies are held annually. The day is regarded as Yaum-e Gham ("Day of Sorrow"). Prominent Sunni theologians and intellectuals have condemned the "unfit" situation of the Baqi cemetery. However, the Saudi authorities have ignored all criticism and rejected any requests for the restoration of the tombs and mausoleums.
Notable early burials
Chronological list of distinguished members of the Ahl al-Bayt and companions of the Prophet interred at Jannat al-Baqi:
NameDeath year (CE)NotesNotable members of Ahl al-BaytRuqayya bint MuhammadMarch 624Daughter of the Prophet and wife of UthmanZaynab bint Khuzayma625Fifth wife of the Prophet, also known as Umm al-Masakin (mother of the poor)Zainab bint Muhammad629Eldest daughter of the ProphetUmm Kulthum bint Muhammad630Daughter of the Prophet and also wife of UthmanRayhana bint ZaydWife or concubine of the Prophet, was a Jewish convert to Islam from the Banu NadirIbrahim ibn MuhammadSon of the Prophet Muhammad; died in infancyFatima bint Muhammad632Daughter of Muhammad, wife of Ali. The exact burial place is not known, though many traditions hold that her grave is in Jannat al-BaqīMaria al-QibtiyyaTwelfth wife of the Prophet. She was an Egyptian (Copt) woman gifted to Muhammad in 628 as a slaveZaynab bint Jahsh640 / 641Seventh wife of the ProphetSawdah bint Zam'ahSecond wife of the ProphetAbbas ibn Abd al-MuttalibPaternal uncle of the ProphetUmm Habiba664Ninth wife of the ProphetSafiyya bint HuyayyTenth wife of the Prophet, originating from a Jewish tribe Banu NadirHafsa bint UmarFourth wife of Muhammad and daughter of UmarHasan ibn Ali670Grandson of the Prophet and son of Ali and Fatima. Briefly caliph in early Islamic historyAqil ibn Abi Talib670 or 683Cousin of the Prophet and elder brother of AliJuwayriya bint al-Harith676Eighth wife of the ProphetAishaThird and youngest wife of Prophet Muhammad and daughter of first caliph Abu BakrUmm SalamaSixth wife of the ProphetAli al-Sajjad4th Shia Imam; great-grandson of Prophet MuhammadMuhammad al-Baqir5th Shia Imam, known for transmitting knowledgeJa'far al-Sadiq7656th Shia Imam, renowned scholar of hadith, Fiqh, and scienceIsma'il ibn Ja'far7th Ismaili Shia Imam; son of Ja'far al-Sadiq. Isma'ili sources hold that he was buried in Salamiyah, while other sources place his burial in al-BaqīNotable Companions of the Prophet MuhammadAs'ad ibn Zurara623He suffered from an illness resembling diphtheria or meningitis. He is reported to be the first man buried in al-BaqiMuhammad ibn Saad. Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir vol. 3. Translated by Bewley, A. (2013). The Companions of Badr. London: Ta-Ha Publishers.Uthman ibn Maz'un624Was either the first Companion or the first Muhajir to be buried in the al-Baqi'Khunays ibn HudhafaDied 25 months after the Hijra. His funeral prayer was led by Muhammad.Ibn Saad/Bewley vol. 3 p. 307.Abu Salama625He was also a cousin and a foster-brother of Muhammad.Nusaybah bint Ka'ab634One of the early women to convert to Islam and a warrior who participated in the battles of Uhud, Hunain, and Yamamah.Halima bint Abi Dhu'aybFoster-mother and Wet nurse of the ProphetUbayy ibn Ka'bHe is notable for the Quran codex he compiled.Abd Allah ibn Mas'udRegarded by Sunni tradition as one of the greatest early interpreters of the QuranLudwig W. Adamec (2009), Historical Dictionary of Islam, p.134. Scarecrow Press. . He was buried at night in al-BaqiMuhammad ibn Saad. Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir vol. 3. Translated by Bewley, A. (2013). The Companions of Badr. Loon:TaHa Publishers.Abu Sufyan ibn HarbA prominent opponent-turned companion of the ProphetAbd al-Rahman ibn AwfOne of the wealthiest among the companions, he is known for being one of the ten to whom Paradise was promised.Uthman656Son-in-law of the Prophet and the 3rd Caliphate He was initially reportedly to be buried in al-Baqī, but due to local resistance, was instead interred in a Jewish cemetery, which was later incorporated into al-Baqī by the Umayyads.Zayd ibn ThabitPersonal scribe of the prophet Muhammad, serving as the chief recorder of the Quranic textSa'd ibn Abi Waqqas674Military Commander and Governor of KufaHakim ibn HizamRespected merchant and a key figure in the Quraysh tribe and nephew of Khadija bint KhuwaylidHassan ibn ThabitArabian poet, who was best known for poems in defence of the prophet.Abu Hurayra679Companion of the prophet and considered the most prolific hadith narratorAbgad Elulm, pp.2, 179.Abu Sa'īd al-Khūdrī7th-CenturyProminent companion of the Prophet and prolific hadith narrator, He is believed to have died around 693, though some sources suggest 683. Gallery
See also Cemetery of Bab as-Saghir Holiest sites in Islam Jannatul Mualla
References
External links
Visitation of Baqi The oldest photos of Jannat al-Baqi Jannat al-Baqi website Map of Jannat al-Baqi History of the Cemetery of Jannat al-Baqi The Baqi Collection Photos Map of Jannat al-Baqi according to Sunni Muslim sources