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Al-Baqi` is the principal cemetery of the people
of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and has been so since the time of
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Of all of the
historic places in Madinah, it is the closest to Al-Masjid
An-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque). It is located opposite the
southeastern section of the wall of the masjid. Recently, some
contiguous property was added to it to increase the land area
available for burials.
An imposing new, high marble-clad wall has been
erected around the entire perimeter of Al-Baqi`, so that the old
and new areas have been united. Its total area presently amounts
to 56,000 square meters (13.8 acres). Al-Baqi` contains the mortal
remains of thousands upon thousands of Muslims.
This cemetery has been the final resting place of
the residents of Madinah, as well as those of nearby neighboring
areas and of visitors, since the time of Hijrah. It was the
preferred final resting place of the noble Companions (may Allah
be pleased with them all). This is evidenced by the fact that
about ten thousand of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased
with them) are buried within. Among the notable Muslims interred
there are the Mothers of the Believers (the Prophet’s wives),
with the exclusion of Khadijah and Maymunah (may Allah be pleased
with them all). Also buried there are the Prophet’s daughters,
the Prophet’s son Ibrahim, the Prophet’s uncle `Abbas, the
Prophet’s aunt Safiyyah, and the Prophet’s grandson Al-Hasan
ibn `Ali (may Allah be pleased with them all). There are many,
many other respected Muslims from throughout the history of Islam
buried here who are too numerous to mention.
Several hadiths of the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) mention that visiting Al-Baqi` is both
virtuous and meritorious. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) visited it at the end of the night and prayed for those who
were buried there, saying, “Peace be upon you, abode of a people
who are believers. What you were promised would come to you
tomorrow, you receiving it after some delay; and God willing we
shall join you. O Allah, grant forgiveness to the inhabitants of
Baqi` al-Gharqad.” Thus, it is recommended to visit Al-Baqi` and
supplicate Allah for those buried in its noble earth.
*Excerpted
with slight modifications from www.arac.com.sa/PLACES.htm |
