The Al-Baqi Cemetery: A Brief History

Jannat al-Baqī is a cemetery in Medina, Saudi Arabia, located to the southeast of the Masjid al-Nabawi. It is one of the oldest and holiest cemeteries in the Islamic world. The cemetery covers an area of ​​approximately 1.12 hectares (2.8 acres) and contains over 7,000 graves. The cemetery is also known as Baqī' al-Gharqad, which means "the graveyard of the thorny bushes". The name refers to a Hadith which states that on Judgment Day, the people in the Baqī' al-Gharqad will be among the first to enter Paradise.

Jannat al-Baqī was built soon after the city of Medina was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in 622 CE. It was originally used to bury the companions of Muhammad and their families. As such, it is considered to be one of the most revered sites in Islam. The cemetery has been expanded over the centuries, but many of the original graves are still present. Among those buried in Jannat al-Baqī are Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad; Hasan ibn Ali, grandson of Muhammad; Uthman ibn Affan, third caliph; and Abu Bakr, first caliph.

Today, Jannat al-Baqī is a popular pilgrimage site for Muslims from all over the world. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit Medina to perform Hajj or Umrah - and many make a point to visit Jannat al-Baqī as well. The cemetery is open to visitors throughout the year, and there is no charge for entry.