ALMISKEENAH

 

 

Baqi Al-Gharqad

Al-Madinah al-Munawarah, the place chosen by our Lord Supreme for His Supreme Master of creation SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and his Companions RadhiAllahu anhum to lie in rest. Madinah, the nest for Faith, the commanding centre, the school of teaching and learning the correct Islamic guidance, the Pure, the Good, radiates with their collective efforts. Baqi Gharqad, or Jannatul Baqi, with a priceless treasure of truth and purity, of love and dedication buried in this small plot of land! Asleep here are those who had sacrificed the life of this world for the life of futurity. It is a wonderful mind and heart exercise to attempt to envisage the early days of the birth of this great Ummah,

In this context, Baqi Al-Gharqad, is one of the most important features of this enlightened city, since the time of the Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam until today.

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam maintained regular visits and making Dua for those who are buried in it.

"Peace be upon you, O abode of the faithful! Allah willing, we should soon join you. O Allah, forgive the Companions of al-Baqi". And "Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of the graves. May the Almighty Allah forgive us and you all. You are our forerunners and we shall certainly join you." And finally, "Peace be upon you, O abode of Believers. You are our forerunners and we will surely join you. O Allah! Do not deprive us of the reward of (supplicating for) them, nor lead us astray after them."

Baqi Al-Gharqad was named after a prominent type of tree that was dominant in its ground. The thorny trees of Gharqad. It was not the only graveyard of the people of Madinah before Islam but based on the command of Allah, Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam made it the graveyard for Muslims. Only then did Baqi acquire a special status. Imam Malik mentioned that about 10,000 of the Companions RadhiAllahu anhum are buried in the Baqi.

Many Hadith have been narrated emphasizing the great status of those who are buried in Baqi. Rasullulah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “Whoever can die in Madinah should do so as I intercede for those who die in it” Insha’Allah we will be amongst them.

The supplication of the Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam for the forgiveness of the people buried in Baqi is implicated from his regular visits to Baqi and attending the burials of his companions. Whenever he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam noticed a new grave he would inquire about the dead person and says “My prayer for the dead is a mercy for him”.

Aishah RadhiAllahu anha, the mother of the believers, said that  Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam upon spending the night with her, would go out to Baqi and say “Peace be upon you, a residence of believing people, you have received the promises, and you are waiting for the day. We, by the Will of Allah, will join you. O Allah, forgive the residents of Baqi Al-Gharqad”.

 

The residents of Baqi are the first people to be resurrected from the graves of after Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and his two companions Abu Bakr and Umar RadhiAllahu anhuma. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “I am the first to be resurrected then Abu Bakr then Umar then I get to the residents of Baqi and they are resurrected with me, then I wait for the people of Makkah to join us between the two holy places.” Isa, alaihis Salam will be buried in the same chamber as Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and Umar and Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhuma will be resurrected after them. And another narration says that Bilal RadhiAllahu anhu, who is buried in Damascus will be resurrected at the feet of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “Whoever died in either of the two holy places would be resurrected safe on the day of judgment”.

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “Do you see this graveyard (referring to Baqi Al Gharqad)? Seventy thousand will be resurrected from it on the Day of Judgment looking like a shining full moon. They will enter Jannah without reckoning”

When Umar RadhiAllahu anhu made the Du’a, "O Allah grant me martyrdom in Your way and cause me to die in the city of Your Rasul and be buried in Baqi." People would ask how he could have martyrdom in Madinah? He answered that if Allah Ta’ala gave me the Du’a then He too will provide the means for that to happen. SubhanAllah, how his Du’a was accepted exactly as he asked. 

Historians have developed a map of Baqi showing known grave sites.

Insha’Allah begin this "tour" at the area circled in pink, then proceeding north to the red dot, following the line of coloured dots to the east. After the grave of Abu Saed Al-Khudry turn westward to the wall directly opposite Masjid Nabawi for the remaining sites indicated by black, white and the lime green dot.

 
Pink area; centre for registering deaths and washing the bodies, if people choose not to do it themselves in their homes.

Red. The graves of the household of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
Fatimah, Al-Abbas Ibn Abdel Muttalib, Al-Hasan Ibn Ali, the head of Al-Hussein Ibn Ali (according to some narrations), Zain Al-Abedeen Ibn Al-Hussein Ibn Ali, Muhammad Al-Baqir Ibn Zain Al-Abedeen, Jafar Assadiq Ibn Muhammad Al-Baqir and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (according to some narrations that his son Al-Hasan transferred him to Madina.) And Allah Knows Best.

Pink. The graves of the daughters of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
Um Kulthum, Ruqayah and Zainab.

Purple. The graves of the wives of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
Aisha Bint Assiddiq, Sawda Bint Zama, Hafsa Bint Umar, Zaynab Bint Khuzayma, Um Salama Bint Abi Umayya, Juwayriya Bint Al-Harith, Um-Habiba Ramla Bint Abi Sufyan, Safeya Bint Huyay Ibn Akhtab and Zaynab Bint Jahsh.

Dark blue. The grave of Aqil Ibn Ibi Talib and those with him from the clan of Hashim Aqil Ibn Abi Talib, Abdullah Ibn Jafar Attayar and Abu Sufyan Ibn Al-Harith Ibn Abdulmuttalib.

Teal. The graves of Anas Ibn Malik and those with him. Imam Malik Ibn Anas and that of Nafi (the teacher of Imam Malik).

Light blue. The grave of Uthman Ibn Mazoun, he was the first immigrant to be buried in Baqi. He died in Shaban, thirty months after Hijrah. Others in the same area are Abdel Rahman Ibn Awf, Saad Ibn Abi Waqqas, Khunais Ibn Huzafa Assahmi and Fatima Bint Asad (the mother of Ali Ibn Abi Talib).

Green. The grave of Ibrahim the son of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam
There are many narrations about his death and burial. Ibn Hajar narrates that when Ibrahim, the son of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam died, Rasulullah  SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said “He has joined our pious predecessor Uthman Ibn Mazoun”. Rasulullah  SallAllahu alaihi wasallam sprinkled water on his grave. It was the first grave to be sprinkled with water.

Yellow. The graves of the martyrs of “Al-Harra” These are those who were martyred during the days of Yazeed Ibn Muawiyah while defending Al Madinah Al Munawwarah.

Orange. The grave of the third Caliph, Uthman Ibn Affan This grave used to be outside Baqi, but it was included during the Umayyad period. Currently, the grave of Uthman Ibn Affan is in the middle of northern portion of Baqi on a slightly higher ground surrounded by passages to the northern and eastern parts of Baqi. It was narrated in history books that whenever Uthman passed by “Hush Kawkab”, he would say “A pious man will be buried here." It was him who was the first to be buried there.

Light pink. The grave of Saad Ibn Muaz. He was injured in the course of the battle of “the Trench” and he made a Du’a, so Allah stopped the bleeding from his injury until the day his Du’a was fulfilled and Allah contented his heart with issuing a judgement about the tribe of “Banu Quraiza”. As soon as he finished with the judgement, his injury exploded with blood and he died in the Masjid of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.

Cream. The grave of Abu Saed Al-Khudry It was outside Baqi from the northeastern side on the road leading to the eastern “Harra”. The grave was included in Baqi in the last expansion in the year 1385.

White and black side by side. The graves of the aunties of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam Safiya Bint Abdel Muttalib, Atika Bint Abdel Muttalib

Long white rectangle, approximate place where Masjid of Abi ibn Ka’b used to be, now offices.

Lime green. The grave of Ismail Ibn Jafar Assadiq (moved here during 1412 Hijri expansion)

Insha’Allah this is comprehendible. I intend more posts on this and related topics. Insha’Allah.

 
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.