Historical accounts testify that the Baqee’ throughout many centuries, just like the Mu’alla cemetery at Mecca, had a high prestige between the Muslims.  Thus, they built the domes over the graves of the Imams of Ahlul Bait (the prophet’s household), the companions and virtuous men as a sign of respect and honour to those who had a role in the making of history. 

The explorer Omar bin Jubair described the Baqee’ after his journey by saying: The Baqee’ of Gharged is situated in the eastern part of Madina and entrance to it is through a gate known as Babul Baqee’.  Once you enter, you will first see on your left the tomb of the prophet’s aunt Saffia.  Facing this is a grave of small dome that embraces the body of the Madani Imam Malik bin Anas (May God be pleased with him).  Opposite this grave is the tomb of the prophet’s son Ibrahim that is enclosed in a white dome.  To its right is the burial place of Abdul Rahman al-Awsat (also known by Abi Shahma) who is one of the sons of Omar ibnul Khattab (May God be pleased with him).  He became ill and died after his father applied a punishment by lashing him.  Opposite this burial place are the graves of Aqeel bin Abi Talib and Abdullah bin Jafar al-Tayyar (May God be pleased with them).  Facing them is the shrine of the prophet’s wives (May God be pleased with them).   Next is the shrine of al-Abbas bin Abdul Mattaalib and al-Hassan bin Ali (AS).  This has an elevated dome situated close to the Baqee’ gate on your right hand side as you leave the cemetery.  The grave of the head of al-Hussain (AS) is next to the feet of the grave of al-Abbas.  These two graves rise above ground and spacious.  They are covered with panels bonded in a beautiful way, stud with brass sheets and decorated with nails in a creative and a professional style.  Similar style is used for the tomb of the prophet’s son Ibrahim.  Further on from this dome (known as Abbasiya dome) is a house known as Bait al-Ahzan that concerns Fatima, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (SAWA).  It is said that this is the house she sheltered in, mourning the loss of her father al-Mustafa (SAWA).

 At the end of the Baqee’ is the grave of the caliph Othman (May God be pleased with him).  A small dome surmounts this grave and not far away from it is the tomb of Fatima bint Asad, the mother of Ali bin Abi Talib (AS).  (The Journey of Ibn Jubair pp. 153-154)

About one and a half-century later, Ibn Battuta in his book ‘Tuhfatil Nadhar fi Ghara’ibil Amsar wa Aja’ibil Asfar’ gives a similar description of al-Baqee’.  He said, ‘Baqee al-Gharged, situated in the eastern part of the holy city of Madina.  Entrance is reached through a gate known as Babul Baqee’.  The first thing you meet on your left as you enter the gate is the grave of Saffia bint Abdul Mattalib (May God be pleased with him) who is the aunt of the prophet (SAWA) and the mother of al-Zubair ibnil Awwam.  Opposite to this is the grave of Malik bin Anas (May God be pleased with him) that is covered with a small and a simply built dome.  Facing this grave is the tomb of the holy and prophetic offspring Ibrahim, the son of the prophet (SAWA), which is covered with a white dome.  On the right hand side lies the burial place of Abdul Rahman, son of Omar ibnil Khattab (May God be pleased with him) and next to it are the graves of Aqeel bin Abi Talib and Abdullah bin Jafar bin Abi Talib (May God be pleased with them).  Adjacent to these graves is a shrine that is said to embrace the mothers of the faithfuls (May God be pleased with them).  Next to it is the shrine that embodies the graves of al-Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib and al-Hassan bin Abi Talib (AS).  This has a lofty dome, built with superb perfection, situated to the right of the entrance gate...’ until he said, ‘And at the Baqee’ are the graves of the Muhajireen (Muslims who fled Mecca to Madina) and Ansar and all other companions (May God be pleased with them).  However, most of these graves are not recognised’. (Rihlat ibn Battuta p.86)