Lost gravestones and whispered prayers surround us. We are at Maqbara Al Baqeea. This is Medina’s oldest Islamic cemetery. It holds stories of faith, loss, and resilience.
Maqbara Al Baqeea’s history stretches back to 622 CE. When Prophet Muhammad arrived in Medina, this land was covered in boxthorn. The bramble was cleared. The area became the Muslims’ cemetery. Muhammad himself consecrated this ground.
As’ad ibn Zurarah was the first of the Ansar to be buried here. Ruqayyah, Muhammad’s daughter, was also buried here. Uthman bin Maz’oon, a companion of Muhammad, followed. Muhammad called the place where Uthman was buried Rawha. The Prophet’s youngest son, Ibrahim, was buried here too. Muhammad watered his grave and called it Zawra.
Over centuries, Maqbara Al Baqeea became the final resting place for many important figures. Many of Muhammad’s relatives and companions are buried here. This cemented its place as one of Islam’s holiest cemeteries. The third caliph, Uthman, was initially buried in a nearby Jewish graveyard. Muawiyah I expanded Maqbara Al Baqeea to include Uthman’s grave. Domes and structures were built over many graves.
Yet, Maqbara Al Baqeea faced repeated destruction. In 1806, forces loyal to the Wahhabi-Saudi alliance demolished the cemetery. This was based on their interpretation of Islamic law. They forbade idolatry. Structures were razed.
The cemetery was rebuilt. But it faced demolition again in 1925 or 1926. King Ibn Saud granted permission for this destruction. The Ikhwan, a Wahabbi religious militia, carried it out. Even simple gravestones were destroyed. Eldon Rutter compared the scene to an earthquake.
These demolitions sparked condemnation across the Islamic world. Protests were held. Efforts were made to restore the cemetery. However, Saudi authorities rejected these requests.
Despite the destruction, Maqbara Al Baqeea remains a significant place. Many important Islamic figures are buried here. Aisha, one of Muhammad’s wives, rests here. So do Muhammad’s daughters, Zaynab, Ruqayya, and Umm Kulthum. His son Ibrahim is here. Imam Hasan, the grandson of Muhammad, is buried in Maqbara Al Baqeea. Ali al-Sajjad, the Fourth Imam, is also here. Muhammad al-Baqir, the Fifth Imam, and Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq, the Sixth Imam, are buried here. Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, Muhammad’s uncle, also rests here.
Today, Maqbara Al Baqeea is a vast, open space. Minimal markings identify the burial sites. Yet, pilgrims still visit. They come to remember and reflect. They search for the graves of historic figures.
As you stand here, remember the weight of history beneath your feet. Maqbara Al Baqeea is more than just a cemetery. It is a testament to faith. It shows resilience. It connects us to the earliest days of Islam.