Al-Baqi Cemetery

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.^[1] 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.^[3]

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'.^[1] 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.^[4] Following his instructions, two of his daughters Zainab and Umm Kulthum, were also buried near the grave of Uthman bin Maz'oon.^[5]

Initially, the third caliph, Uthman,^[6] 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

Main article: Demolition of al-Baqi

The cemetery before the 1926 demolition

The former mausoleum of Fatimah, Abbas, Hasan ibn Ali, Ali as-Sajjad, Muhammad al-Baqir and Ja'far as-Sadiq

First demolition

The cemetery after the 1926 demolition. The Prophet's Mosque in far background, view towards west.

Panorama showing the cemetery, with the Qiblah being behind the photographer, view towards north.

The cemetery was demolished^[1] by forces loyal to the Wahhabi-Saudi alliance in 1806 and 1925^[7] (or 1926).^[1][8]

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, during the Wahhabi control over Mecca and Medina in 1806, many religious buildings, including tombs and mosques,^[9] were demolished. This demolition occurred both inside and outside al-Baqi,^[10] in accordance with the Wahhabi interpretation of Islamic doctrine that forbids idolatry.^[1] These structures were razed to the ground^[8][11] due to Wahhabi claims of grave worship.^[12]

Second demolition

The House of Saud regained control of the Hijaz in 1924^[8] or 1925.^[1] 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^[8] (or 1925)^[7][13] by the Ikhwan ("The Brothers"), a Wahabbi religious militia.^[14] The demolition included destroying "even the simplest of the gravestones.".^[1] 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."^[8]

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),^[15] efforts have been made by Iranian religious scholars and political figures to restore the cemetery and its shrines.^[8] Both Sunni and Shia communities protested the destruction,^[1][13] and rallies are held annually.^[1][16] The day is regarded as Yaum-e Gham ("Day of Sorrow").^[13] 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.^[8]

Chronological list of distinguished members of the Ahl al-Bayt and companions of the Prophet interred at Jannat al-Baqi:

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