Jannatul Baqi, situated in the southeastern part of the Prophet’s Mosque, holds the distinction of being the first cemetery in Madinah. Also known as Baqi al-Gharqad, it holds significant religious importance in the Hejazi region. This burial ground is where the family members of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and numerous companions are laid to rest. Dubbed as the Garden of Heaven, Jannatul Baqi is the largest cemetery in the city, covering an area of 175,000 square meters and encompassing over 10,000 graves of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) companions.
Tradition holds that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed within the cemetery and actively engaged in funeral proceedings. There’s a documented instance around 8 AH where he conducted the funeral prayer for the Abyssinian King Najashi. The Prophet himself remarked, “From this cemetery (Baqi), emanates a light that will brighten the heavens and the Earth.”
History of Jannatul Baqi
In September 622 CE, upon Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) arrival in Madinah, the area of Al-Baqi was overgrown with Arabian boxthorns. Subsequently, with the Prophet’s presence, many residences were constructed nearby. Eventually, the site was cleared and designated as a communal burial ground for the Muslims of Madinah.
During the construction of the Prophet’s Mosque, the passing of As’ad ibn Zurarah, one of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) companions, prompted the Prophet to select this land for a cemetery. As’ad became the first person interred here. Among the earliest burials was Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), marking the beginning of numerous burials of his relatives at this site. Additionally, Uthman bin Maz’oon, the first Muhajirun companion of the Prophet, was also laid to rest here.
Jannatul Baqi is also the final resting place for several esteemed figures, including the Prophet’s daughter Fatima, his uncle Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, his great-grandson Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, and the son of Hussain, as well as the Prophet’s great-grandson Ali ibn Hasain Zayn al-Abidin. The presence of these revered individuals underscores the significance of this cemetery as a sacred site to visit in Madinah.
Destruction of Jannatul Baqi
Following its initial demolition in 1806 and subsequent reconstruction in the mid-19th century, Jannatul Baqi faced another destruction around 1925 or 1926. Historical accounts attribute both instances of demolition to orders from followers of the Wahhabi movement, a revivalist movement within Sunni Islam. Before the first demolition, the House of Saud, adherents of Wahhabism, were systematically dismantling various religious structures, including mosques and tombs, in accordance with their doctrine.
Upon regaining control of the region in 1924 or 1925, Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia, permitted the destruction of Jannatul Baqi under religious sanction by a Qadi (judge of Sharia court). Notably, even the unadorned gravestones on the site were razed during this period.
