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Al-Baqi' Cemetery and its Demolition - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief Al-Baqi’ Cemetery and its Demolition 2023-04-28 1711 Views Al-Baqi' cemetery , First Muslim Cemetery , Muslim Burial Site Al-Baqi’ also known as Al-Baqi’ cemetery is the first and oldest Islamic cemetery of Madina which is located to the southeast of the Prophet’s Mosque and contains the graves of some of the ’s family and his companions.

Some hadiths have been narrated from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) as well as the Imams (peace be upon them) about the merits of this cemetery. Al-Baqi’ is used to refer to a piece of land covered by a certain type of thorny plant called Gharqad . According to historical records, when (peace be upon him and his household) arrived at Medina from Mecca in September 622 CE, al-Baqi’ was cleared and consecrated to be the future cemetery of the Muslims who died at Medina.

In the past, the cemetery was located outside the city and one of the city gates called Bab al-Baqi’ opened to the cemetery. However, due to the expansion of the city in recent years, al-Baqi’ has been neighboured by the city from the side of al-Masjid al-Nabawi’s courtyard and the mosque and the cemetery are separated by a street.

During the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his household), Al-Baqi’ was much smaller in size but during different periods, the size of al-Baqi’ has been changed and its area has been expanded to what we have today. It is documented that when As’ad ibn Zurarah, who was one of the Prophet’s companions died, the Prophet chose the spot to be a cemetery and As’ad was the first person among the Ansar to be buried in al-Baqi’.

Similarly, when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his household) was outside Medina for the Battle of Badr, his daughter Ruqayyah died in 624. She was buried in al-Baqi’. Thus, she was the first person from the Prophet’s Household to be buried in this cemetery. In addition, after the Prophet’s return from the Battle of Badr, Uthman ibn Maz’oon died in 624/625 CE and was buried in al-Baqi’.

He was considered the first companion of Muhammad from the emigrants (Muhajir) to be buried in the cemetery.