Jannat al-Baqī (, "The Baqi'", ) is the oldest and first Islamic cemetery of Medina region of present-day Saudi Arabia. It is also known as Baqi al-Gharqad (, meaning "Baqiʿ of the Boxthorn").

Al-Baqi was reportedly founded by Prophet Muhammad and serves as the burial place for many of his relatives and companions, establishing it as one of the two holiest cemeteries in Islamic tradition. Monuments and mosques built on or near al-Baqīʿ were demolished under the Emirate of Diriyah in 1806. After their reconstruction, they were again demolished in 1926 under the Sultanate of Nejd, in accordance with their Wahhabi interpretation of Islamic law regarding idolatry.

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'. 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, 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

First demolition

The cemetery was demolished (or 1926).

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. due to Wahhabi claims of grave worship.

Second demolition

The House of Saud regained control of the Hijaz in 1924 The demolition included destroying "even the simplest of the gravestones.". efforts have been made by Iranian religious scholars and political figures to restore the cemetery and its shrines. and rallies are held annually. The day is regarded as Yaum-e Gham ("Day of Sorrow").

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| colspan="3" style="background-color:#cce5ff;" |Notable Companions of the Prophet Muhammad

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|As'ad ibn Zurara

|623

|He suffered from an illness resembling diphtheria or meningitis. He is reported to be the first man buried in al-Baqi

|-

|Uthman ibn Maz'un

|624

|Was either the first Companion or the first Muhajir to be buried in the al-Baqi'

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|Khunays ibn Hudhafa

|

|Died 25 months after the Hijra. His funeral prayer was led by Muhammad.

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|Abu Salama

|625

|He was also a cousin and a foster-brother of Muhammad.

|-

|Nusaybah bint Ka'ab

|634

|One of the early women to convert to Islam and a warrior who participated in the battles of Uhud, Hunain, and Yamamah.

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|Halima bint Abi Dhu'ayb

|

|Foster-mother and Wet nurse of the Prophet

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|Ubayy ibn Ka'b

|

|He is notable for the Quran codex he compiled.

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|Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud

|

|Regarded by Sunni tradition as one of the greatest early interpreters of the Quran He was buried at night in al-Baqi

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|Abu Sufyan ibn Harb

|

|A prominent opponent-turned companion of the Prophet

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|Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf

|

|One of the wealthiest among the companions, he is known for being one of the ten to whom Paradise was promised.

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|Uthman

|656

|Son-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.

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|Zayd ibn Thabit

|

|Personal scribe of the prophet Muhammad, serving as the chief recorder of the Quranic text

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|Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas

|674

|Military Commander and Governor of Kufa

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|Hakim ibn Hizam

|

|Respected merchant and a key figure in the Quraysh tribe and nephew of Khadija bint Khuwaylid

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|Hassan ibn Thabit

|

|Arabian poet, who was best known for poems in defence of the prophet.

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|Abu Hurayra

|679

|Companion of the prophet and considered the most prolific hadith narrator

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|Abu Sa'īd al-Khūdrī

|7th-Century

|Prominent companion of the Prophet and prolific hadith narrator, He is believed to have died around 693, though some sources suggest 683.

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<gallery mode="packed">

File:Baqi Halimah.jpg|Grave of Halimah

File:Baqi 4Imams&Abbas crop.jpg|Graves of Fatimah (single grave in front), Hasan, Zain al-Abideen, Muhammad al-Baqir and Jafar as-Sadiq (2nd row left to right, 4 graves side by side), and ‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (single grave at right)

File:Grave Ajvaje(wife) nabi 1.JPG|Grave of wives of Muhammad, left to right: Maria al-Qibtiyya, Juwayriyya bint al-Harith, Hind bint Abi Umayya, Zaynab bint Jahsh, Zaynab bint Khuzayma, Sawda bint Zamʿa, Hafsa bint Umar, Safiyya bint Huyayy, Ramla bint Abi Sufyan, Aisha bint Abi Bakr

File:Grave of Ibrahim at Jannat-ul-Baqi, Medina.JPG|The grave of Ibrahim ibn Muhammad

File:Baqi Othman.jpg|Grave of Uthman, with the Masjid an-Nabawi in the background, view towards the west. The Green Dome is also visible.

File:Grave abdullah bin Jafar(left)and Akil bin abi Talib.jpg|Graves of Abdullah ibn Ja'far and Aqeel ibn Abi Talib

File:Baqi Malek&Nafi.jpg|Graves of Malik ibn Anas and Nafi‘ al-Madani

File:Grave Fatema(single one) and other Imams.JPG|Zain al-Abideen's grave at Al-Baqi' in Saudi Arabia

</gallery>

See also

  • Cemetery of Bab as-Saghir
  • Holiest sites in Islam
  • Jannatul Mualla

References

  • 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