Al-Baqi Cemtary, also known as “Jannat al-Baqi”, “al-Baqi al-Gharqad” is the first and oldest Islamic cemetery of Madina where four Shia Imams (AS) and many other noble ones among the Sahaba and the Tabiun are buried. Some structures were built over the graves of these Imams (AS) as well as other figures which were known as Buqas of Baqi. These buqas were destroyed by Wahhabis in an incident call the Demolition of al-Baqi.

Al-Baqi is located near Masjid al-Nabi and is one of the places Lady Fatima (AS) is likely to be buried. Al-Baqi is among the holiest pilgrim destinations for Muslims especially the Shias. Some hadiths have been narrated from the Holy Prophet (AS) as well as Imams (AS) about the merits of this cemetery. The graves of Imams (AS) and some other graves had tombs and shrines built upon them which were demolished in 1221/1806-7 by the first groups of Wahhabis but were later rebuilt by the order of the Ottoman king Abd al-Hamid II, but were again demolished by the order of Amir Muhammad, the ruler of Medina, by the order of his father, Abd al-Aziz Al Saud on Shawwal 8, 1344/April 21, 1926.

Shia Imams who are buried in Al-Baqi Cemetary:

  • Hasan ibn Ali (AS)
  • Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-Abidin (AS)
  • Muhammad al-Baqir (AS)
  • Jafar al-Sadiq (AS)

Other Shia figures buried in the cemetery:

  • Fatimah bint Asad – the mother of Imam Ali (AS)
  • Umm ul-Banin – the mother of Al-Abbas ibn Ali
  • Bibi Shahrbanu – the mother of Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-Abidin (AS)
  • Halimah bint Abi Dhuayb – wet nurse of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)