STATUS OF BAQUEE

No value was attached to the Baqee’ until it became a cemetery embracing the bodies of the virtuous companions, Imams, pious men and martyrs of Islam. The first person to be buried was the companion Othman bin Madhoon (May Allah be pleased with him). He was the first of the Muhajirin (emigrants who fled from Mecca) to die. He died on the 3rd sha’ban, the third year of hijra. On that day, the prophet (SAWA) ordered to cut few trees from the land of the prophet (SAWA) took two stones in his own hand of al-farqad in order to bury Madhoon in between them. Then, the prophet (SAWA) took two stones in his hand and placed one at the grave head and the other close to the foot. Subsequently, Mu’awiya’s governor of the Madina, Marwan bin al-Hakam, removed the two stones for unknown reasons. The prophet’s companions condemned this action and objected to this remove. Following this, the stones were replaced and later on a dome was built over the grave.

In the eighth year of al-Hijra (8 AD), the son of the prophet (SAWA) Ibrahim, died. The prophet (SAWA) buried him at al-Baqee’, put marks on his grave and cried over his loss. Gradually, the Baqee’ became a burial place for the inhabitants of Yathrib (the old name of the holy Madina city) . The prophet used to visit this place late at night and would ask forgiveness for the dead after having buried his best companions in this cemetery. Afterwards , it became the people’s wish to bury their dead in this blessed site.