Baqi’ Al-Gharqad: The Sacred Cemetery of Islamic History

Baqi’ Al-Gharqad, also known as Jannatul Baqi (Garden of Baqi), stands as one of Islam’s most revered cemeteries, located to the southeast of Masjid al-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque) in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. This hallowed ground serves as the eternal resting place for thousands of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ family members, companions, and other notable figures from Islamic history. Its simplicity today belies its profound significance in Muslim heritage and spirituality, offering visitors a powerful connection to the earliest days of Islam.

Historical Context and Significance

The name “Baqi’ Al-Gharqad” carries historical significance. “Baqi” (بقيع) refers to a plot of land containing a mixture of plants, while “Al-Gharqad” (الغرقد) identifies the boxthorn trees that once grew abundantly in this area. These Nitraria retusa trees, used in traditional medicine throughout the Arabian peninsula, are no longer found in the cemetery today.

When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated to Madinah, several cemeteries already existed. However, divine guidance led him to designate this particular plot of land with trees as the burial ground for Muslims. The first companion buried here was As’ad ibn Zurarah from the Khazraj tribe, approximately nine months after the Prophet’s arrival in Madinah.

Throughout Islamic history, Baqi’ Al-Gharqad has been a site of profound spiritual significance. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself regularly visited the cemetery to pray for its inhabitants and seek forgiveness for them. According to various hadith (prophetic traditions), he would often leave his bed at night to visit Baqi’ Al-Gharqad, raising his hands in prayer for those buried there.

Historical photograph of Baqi’ Al-Gharqad before the 1925 demolitions

Virtues of Baqi’ Al-Gharqad

Several prophetic traditions highlight the special status of this cemetery:

“Whoever is able to die in Madinah should do so, for surely I will intercede for the one who dies in Madinah.”

“From it (Baqi’) 70,000 will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment illumined like moonlight. They will enter Paradise without reckoning.”

These traditions underscore why Baqi’ Al-Gharqad holds such reverence in Islamic tradition, considered one of the two holiest cemeteries alongside Jannatul Mualla in Makkah.

Notable Figures Buried in Baqi’ Al-Gharqad

Baqi’ Al-Gharqad is believed to contain the graves of over 10,000 companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. While most graves are now unmarked and indistinguishable, historical records document the burial locations of many prominent figures. Here are some of the most notable individuals resting in this sacred ground:

Family Members of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

• Fatima, the beloved daughter of the Prophet ﷺ
• Al-Hasan ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet ﷺ
• Ibrahim, the infant son of the Prophet ﷺ
• Al-Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet’s paternal uncle
• Ali ibn Husain Zayn al-Abidin, great-grandson of the Prophet ﷺ

• Muhammad al-Baqir, son of Zayn al-‘Abidin
• Ja’far al-Sadiq, son of Muhammad al-Baqir
• Umm Kulthum, daughter of the Prophet ﷺ
• Ruqayya, daughter of the Prophet ﷺ
• Zaynab, daughter of the Prophet ﷺ

Wives of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

All of the Prophet’s wives, known as the Mothers of the Believers (Ummahat al-Mu’minin), are buried in Baqi’ Al-Gharqad except for Khadija bint Khuwaylid, who is buried in Jannatul Mualla in Makkah, and Maymuna bint al-Harith, who is buried north of Makkah. Those resting in Baqi’ include:

• Aisha bint Abu Bakr as-Siddiq
• Hafsa bint Umar ibn al-Khattab
• Umm Salama bint Abi Umayya
• Sawda bint Zam’a
• Zaynab bint Khuzayma
• Juwayriyya bint al-Harith
• Umm Habiba, Ramla bint Abi Sufyan
• Safiyya bint Huyayy
• Zaynab bint Jahsh

Prominent Companions and Other Notable Figures

• Uthman ibn Affan, the third caliph of Islam
• Uthman ibn Maz’un, the first Muhajir (migrant) buried in Baqi’
• Halima al-Sa’diyya, the Prophet’s foster mother
• Imam Malik ibn Anas, founder of the Maliki school of jurisprudence
• Sa’d ibn Mu’adh, chief of the Aws tribe

• Abdul Rahman ibn Awf, one of the ten promised Paradise
• Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, one of the first converts to Islam
• Martyrs of the Battle of al-Harra (63 AH/683 CE)
• Safiyya and Atika bint Abdul Muttalib, aunts of the Prophet ﷺ
• Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, a prominent narrator of hadith

Baqi’ Al-Gharqad Today

Today, Baqi’ Al-Gharqad covers approximately 175,000 square meters, having been expanded significantly from its original size of about 80 meters. Most graves appear similar—marked only by small heaps of sand and rocks—with the vast majority being unidentifiable. The more prominent graves, such as those of the Ahl al-Bayt (family of the Prophet), can be identified by slightly raised walls that surround them.

The cemetery is typically open twice daily:

• After the Fajr (dawn) prayer
• After the Asr (afternoon) prayer

Only men are permitted to enter the cemetery itself; women may observe from adjacent roads. Photography is generally discouraged by religious authorities who patrol the site. Burials continue to take place daily after each prayer time, as many Muslims wish to be laid to rest in this sacred ground.

Cultural Practices and Visiting Etiquette

Muslims offering prayers near Baqi’ Al-Gharqad for those buried there

Visiting Baqi’ Al-Gharqad is considered a spiritually significant practice for Muslims, especially those performing Hajj or Umrah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ established several traditions related to visiting the cemetery:

Traditional Supplications and Practices

When visiting graves, Muslims traditionally offer the following greeting as taught by the Prophet ﷺ:

“Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of this land from the believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy upon those who have left this world and those who will eventually leave. We will, God willing, join you.”

Visitors typically engage in the following practices:

• Offering greetings of peace to those buried there
• Making supplications (dua) for the deceased
• Reflecting on mortality and the transient nature of worldly life
• Remembering the contributions of the early Muslims to Islamic history

Visiting Etiquette

Visitors to Baqi’ Al-Gharqad are expected to observe certain etiquette:

• Dress modestly and respectfully
• Maintain a quiet, contemplative demeanor
• Avoid stepping on graves
• Refrain from photography or using mobile phones
• Follow instructions from religious authorities who patrol the site
• Avoid excessive mourning or wailing, which is discouraged in Islamic tradition
• Men should visit during designated opening times; women should observe from outside

Why is Baqi’ Al-Gharqad considered important in Islamic history?

Baqi’ Al-Gharqad holds immense significance as the main cemetery of Madinah where over 10,000 companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are buried, along with many of his family members. The Prophet himself regularly visited this cemetery to pray for its inhabitants, and numerous hadith highlight its spiritual virtues. It represents a direct physical connection to the earliest generation of Muslims who lived alongside the Prophet.

When can visitors access Baqi’ Al-Gharqad?

The cemetery is typically open twice daily: after the Fajr (dawn) prayer and after the Asr (afternoon) prayer. Opening times may vary seasonally or during special religious periods. It’s advisable to check current schedules when planning a visit, as policies can change.

Can women enter Baqi’ Al-Gharqad?

Currently, women are not permitted to enter the cemetery itself. They may observe from adjacent roads outside the cemetery walls. This restriction is based on certain interpretations of Islamic tradition regarding women visiting graves, though it’s worth noting that this is a matter of differing opinions among Islamic scholars.

How can I locate specific graves in Baqi’ Al-Gharqad?

Identifying specific graves is challenging as most are unmarked. The graves of prominent figures like family members of the Prophet ﷺ are generally identifiable by low enclosures or walls surrounding their areas. Local guides or cemetery officials may be able to direct visitors to general areas where notable individuals are buried, but precise identification of most graves is not possible.

What is the meaning of “Baqi’ Al-Gharqad”?

“Baqi'” refers to a plot of land containing a mixture of plants, while “Al-Gharqad” refers to the boxthorn trees (Nitraria retusa) that once grew abundantly in this area. The full name essentially means “the garden of boxthorn.” These trees were used in traditional medicine throughout the Arabian peninsula but are no longer found in the cemetery today.