Baqi' is not only a cemetery, but also a precious repository of the history of early Islam and a living testament to the high status and injustice of the Prophet's household (PBUH) and other prominent Islamic figures.
According to Ashura News, citing Tasnim News Agency, Baqi is not only a cemetery, but also a precious repository of the history of early Islam and a living testimony to the high status of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and other prominent Islamic figures. In this historical place, the graves of four infallible Shiite Imams, namely Imam Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.), Imam Zain al-Abideen Ali ibn al-Hussein (a.s.), Imam Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Hussein (a.s.), and Imam Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (a.s.), are located.
In addition, the tombs of a number of wives, daughters, children, aunts, companions, and followers of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) are also located in this cemetery; the number of personalities buried there reaches about ten thousand of the most prominent people in the history of Islam.
A symbol of the historical oppression of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.)
Despite such a high status, Baqi has always been associated with alienation and oppression. Pilgrims who visit Medina, upon first looking at this cemetery, are filled with a deep sadness, tears well up in their eyes, and they involuntarily lean their heads against the wall, weeping in mourning for the injustice of the Prophet's (PBUH) family.
These tears are not just a sign of sadness, but in the heart of each drop, there is a conscious regret and anger; anger at the unjust treatment of the Prophet's (PBUH) family and also the lack of love for Islamic honors. Many pilgrims cry out in their hearts why the precious legacy of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) is being treated in this way?
While nations around the world respectfully and gloriously protect their national and historical symbols and even erect magnificent memorials for their unknown soldiers, in Baqi' not even a simple stone is placed on the graves of these great men. The pilgrim who leaves Medina seems to carry a heavy burden of sorrow, and upon returning to his homeland, he recounts the oppression of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) and passes it on from generation to generation, hoping for the day when this darkness ends and Baqi' becomes a center for introducing and promoting the culture of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) and the true companions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Historical Background of Baqi'
The historical background of Baqi' dates back to the era before the advent of Islam. However, historical documents do not accurately clarify the time when the burial of the dead began in this place.
Historical sources testify that before the migration of the Prophet Muhammad to Medina, the people of this city buried their dead in cemeteries such as "Bani Haram" and "Bani Salim" or sometimes in their homes. However, after the migration, Baqi' became known as the first Islamic cemetery and gained great importance with the burial of many companions, followers and the family of the Prophet (PBUH). As a result, the previous cemeteries were abandoned and disappeared.
According to Islamic traditions, the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) would appear next to this cemetery by divine command, send greetings to the people of the graves and ask for forgiveness for them. The name "Baqi' al-Gharqad" is derived from a thorny tree called "Gharqad" that grew in that place, and although that tree no longer exists, its name has remained in history. Some sources also believe that "Baqi' al-Gharqad" refers to a land covered with a type of tall mulberry tree.
Developments in Baqi' in recent years
Until about a century ago, Baqi' had no walls or fences; but today it is surrounded by a high wall. Pilgrims from all Islamic sects, after visiting the shrine of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), come to this place and visit the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and other dignitaries buried there.
In the past, the tombs of the infallible Imams and a number of other prominent figures buried in Baqi' had domes and canopies, but these structures were destroyed by the Wahhabi invasion.
Currently, this cemetery has an earthen and roofless environment, and only some of the graves are marked with stone markers and can be distinguished from other graves.
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