A review of a bitter historical event: the destruction of Baqi' to create a rift in beliefs

According to Ashura News, Mehr News Agency, on the 8th of Shawwal 1344 AH, the Baqi Cemetery, the most important cemetery in Islam, was destroyed by the Wahhabis.

In few countries have there been as many works related to the early centuries of Islam as the land of Hijaz; because it is the original birthplace of Islam and precious works of the leaders of Islam can be seen in many places in this land. Unfortunately, the cold-hearted Wahhabi fanatics have destroyed most of these valuable works under the false pretext of works of polytheism, and little of these valuable works remains, a clear example of which is the Baqi Cemetery, which contains an important part of the history of Islam and is considered a great and telling book of the history of Muslims.

The Baqi Cemetery in Medina is one of the holiest historical and religious sites for Muslims. This place, where the tombs of a number of infallible Imams, great companions, and prominent figures in Islamic history are located, has always been respected and visited by Muslims. However, bitter and painful events have occurred in the history of this place, one of the most important of which is the destruction of the Baqi Cemetery by the Wahhabis.

The destruction of the Baqi Cemetery is one of the bitter events in Islamic history that has occurred twice in contemporary history. The first time was in 1220 AH (1805 AD) by Wahhabi forces, which led to the destruction of the tombs of the pure Imams and great companions of Islam. And again, on the eighth of Shawwal 1344 AH, after the House of Saud took control of Medina, this cemetery was completely destroyed and the tombs of the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and other historical figures were destroyed.

The aim of these destructions was to erase the relics of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and to remove the concepts of Tawasul and shrines from the minds of Muslims. Despite global protests, the Baqi cemetery has not yet been rebuilt, and every year Muslims commemorate the memory of the Imams of Baqi on the anniversary of these destructions.

The destruction of the graves of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) has strengthened people's religious beliefs

The head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Office of Arak University stated in an interview with Mehr reporter: On the anniversary of the tragic and historic event of the destruction of the Baqi cemetery, it is necessary to once again examine the prominent and obvious role of deviant sects, including corrupt Baha'ism and corrupt Wahhabism, in this tragedy because these deviant currents, backed by arrogant currents, have always taken the path of hostility to pure Muhammadan Islam and the destruction of genuine religious beliefs.

Sina Delshadi clarified: "The main goal of these actions is not only to destroy graves and sacred symbols, but also to eradicate religious thought, create a rift in people's beliefs, and fight the spirit of religiosity in Islamic societies. The actions of groups such as ISIS are also an extension of this deviant thinking that is trying to distort the face of Islam and turn people away from the path of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS)..

The head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Department of Arak University added: History has clearly shown that these extremist thoughts and hostilities have not only not weakened the faith of the people, but have also strengthened religious beliefs and increased people's heartfelt interest in the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), and this fact demonstrates the great defeat of the enemies of religion and the victory of pure Shiite thought in the hearts of Muslim societies.

Dilshadee, pointing out that the divine prophets and the pure Imams (AS) have always faced oppression and tyranny throughout history, continued: Even in Medina, the holy graves of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) have not been spared from the attacks of the enemies, but these measures have not only not reduced the respect and attachment of the people, but have also deepened their spiritual bond with the infallible and pure family.

He emphasized: The destruction of Baqi is a symbol of historical hostility to the light of divine guidance, but this light cannot be extinguished and is becoming brighter day by day in the hearts of believers.

The destruction of Baqi was one of the bitterest events in the contemporary history of Islam

The head of the Islamic Propaganda Department of Mahallat County, in an interview with Mehr, referring to the anniversary of the destruction of the Baqi cemetery, stated: The Baqi cemetery is one of the most important and sacred places in the history of Islam, where the four infallible Imams and many companions and followers of the Prophet Muhammad are buried.

Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Ahmadi emphasized: This place is not only historically important, but also spiritually and religiously important for Muslims. Therefore, the destruction of this cemetery on the eighth of Shawwal 1344 AH by Wahhabism was one of the bitterest events in the contemporary history of Islam, when the historical monuments of this holy place were destroyed under the pretext of polytheism and heresy of visiting graves.

He added: The destruction of Baqi did not only mean the destruction of walls and buildings, but in fact it was an attack on the basis of the spirituality and self-development of Muslims.

The head of the Islamic Propaganda Department of Mahallat County continued: Throughout history, the Baqi Cemetery was known as a spiritual and human university in which people were taught a lesson in self-improvement, knowledge, and spiritual transformations. Therefore, its destruction caused great damage to Islamic history and culture, and free Muslims around the world were affected by this incident.

A review of a bitter event in history; the destruction of Baqi to create a gap in beliefs

Hujjat al-Islam Ahmadi continued: Honoring and honoring the memory of worthy, culture-building, and reforming people is a necessity of every society, and people who have moved on the path of realizing human and cultural perfections must be remembered and kept alive after death. Therefore, the destruction of the graves of the infallible Imams (AS) in Baqi was not only an attack on historical monuments, but also a blow to the spirit of Islam and the school of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). With this action, Wahhabism caused an irreparable loss to the history of Islam.

The head of the Mahallat Publicity Department emphasized: Today, it is our responsibility to hold mourning ceremonies on the anniversary of the destruction of the tombs of the Imams of Baqi', so that we do not forget this great injustice. We must always keep alive the memory of these infallible Imams (a.s.) and show future generations that these cruel acts should never be forgotten and that we must learn from them in order to strive to preserve and promote the culture of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) in the world.

Wahhabism is the product of arrogance

In an interview with Mehr, the Imam of the Khalifah al-Kindi village community, referring to the anniversary of the destruction of the Baqi cemetery and emphasizing the position of Shiite beliefs in the Quran and reason, said: The Shiite belief in tawassul, trust, intercession, and respect for the graves of the saints has a Quranic and logical root. In the Holy Quran, which is accepted by all Islamic schools, the story of Prophet Joseph (PBUH) and Prophet Jacob (PBUH) clearly shows us that both blessing and tawassul are approved by God, because Prophet Jacob regained his sight by smelling Joseph's shirt, and this indicates seeking blessings from the works of the saints. Joseph's brothers also ask their father to ask God for forgiveness for them, which is also a clear example of tawassul.

Referring to the importance of respecting the graves of the Imams, Hojjat-ul-Islam Ahmad Sohrabi added: Honoring the tombs of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) is a sign of love for the saints of God and a heartfelt bond with them. The power and greatness of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) are from God and not only do they not contradict the divine power, but they are also in line with the will and greatness of God. Of course, Shia never consider the Imams equal to God; such a belief is tantamount to blasphemy.

He said: The places of martyrdom, shrines, and holy sites are not only a memorial and honoring of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) and the martyrs of Islam, but they are also symbols of the essence of Islam and the intellectual foundations of this religion. These places are known throughout the world as symbols of the greatness of Islam and the bond of Muslims with God and the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.).

The Imam of the Khalifah al-Kindi village also emphasized: "We Muslims, because we are not infallible and are on the path of serving God, make mistakes. We are all on the path of serving God, but because we are not infallible, we sometimes stumble." He continued: "Intercession is a manifestation of God's grace to Muslims. If we have the capacity and the means, this grace of God is extended to believers, and they are interceded for by the Prophet and the infallible Imams. Intercession is also in line with the oneness of God and the principle of La ilaha illallah, because ultimately everything depends on God's will and providence."

Hojjatoleslam Sohrabi also added: No school is as monotheistic as Shia, and in all pilgrimage books the phrase La ilaha illallah has been repeated many times, which indicates Shia's emphasis on the oneness of God. Shia always emphasize the principle of monotheism and the oneness of God in all their worship and pilgrimages, and never forget this principle.

Hojjatoleslam Sohrabi pointed out the Wahhabism's goal in destroying the dome and shrine of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and said: The goal of Wahhabism in destroying the dome and shrine of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) is to weaken the status of Ahlul Bayt and destroy the works of pure Islam, and it must be acknowledged that Wahhabism is not based on religious belief, but rather on colonial interests, and in particular, it is a creation of arrogance, especially England.

He said: Throughout history, true Shiites have been the main fighters against arrogance, colonialism, and domination because the highest directive of the religion of Islam is a social directive and just and Islamic governance, and Wahhabism is afraid of just thinking that follows the way of governing the Prophet (PBUH) and the Commander of the Faithful Ali (AS), in which there is also tula’ and abjuration, and certainly the goal of arrogance is to destroy true Shiite thinking and replace it with British Shiite that serves their own colonial interests.

A review of a bitter event in history; the destruction of Baqi’ to create a rift in beliefs

Hojatoleslam Sohrabi said: There have always been two fronts in the history of humanity: right and wrong, and Muslims must choose the path of truth with their own insight and find their own path with insight in the face of deviant trends.

He stated: "The definition of religion is not limited to mosques and religious places, but must be applied at the level of society and communities. If religion were limited to the individual aspect, the prophets would not have been active in society. Therefore, we must be grateful to the Islamic Republic system and fight against the interests of arrogance and the oppressive thoughts of the colonialists."