Whenever I go to Medina, so many questions come to
my mind, “Why is the cemetery where the daughter of the Prophet (pbuh)
not built up? Why is it that my 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Imams do not
have a zarih and a haram where I can visit them?
When we look at the history of Jannat-ul-Baqi
we realize that the cemetery was not always like this. Umar bin
Jubair has described Al-Baqi in his travel diaries as follows:
“Al-Baqi is situated to the east of Medina, … the grave of Ibrahim son of our Prophet (pbuh) with a white dome over it, … a small shrine containing the graves of the Prophet (pbuh)’s wives…. The grave of Hasan bin Ali (a.s.) situated near the gate to its right hand, has an elevated dome over it, … walls are paneled with yellow plates and studded with beautiful star-shaped nails.”
“Al-Baqi is situated to the east of Medina, … the grave of Ibrahim son of our Prophet (pbuh) with a white dome over it, … a small shrine containing the graves of the Prophet (pbuh)’s wives…. The grave of Hasan bin Ali (a.s.) situated near the gate to its right hand, has an elevated dome over it, … walls are paneled with yellow plates and studded with beautiful star-shaped nails.”
Al-Baqi before destruction
This gives us a completely different picture of
Jannat-ul-Baqi, doesn’t it? So then what happened to these beautiful
structures?
Following gives a brief account of what happened:
In 1221 the Wahhabis entered Madina to damage al-Baqi as well as every mosque they came across. They also tried to demolish the Prophet’s tomb.
In 1221 the Wahhabis entered Madina to damage al-Baqi as well as every mosque they came across. They also tried to demolish the Prophet’s tomb.
In 1818 the Ottoman rulers reconstructed all the sacred places.
In 1848-1860, further renovations were made by the Ottomans.
In 1924 Wahabis entered Hijaz again.
In 1925 they destroyed every Islamic heritage except the Prophet’s mosque.
The date that this destruction of Jannat-ul-Baqi took place is recorded as 8th Shawwal, Wednesday, in the year 1345 AH, April 21, 1925.
Unfortunately, the destruction of Jannat-ul-Baqi continues today.
Several protests have been held over years, several resolutions have been passed, but the destruction has not ceased!
The date that this destruction of Jannat-ul-Baqi took place is recorded as 8th Shawwal, Wednesday, in the year 1345 AH, April 21, 1925.
Unfortunately, the destruction of Jannat-ul-Baqi continues today.
Several protests have been held over years, several resolutions have been passed, but the destruction has not ceased!
Let aside the destruction, the saddest thing
is that one is not even allowed to stand by the cemetery and pay
his/her respects to the holy personalities in peace.
It is so heartbreaking that Sayyada Fatema
(a.s.), and our Imams were tormented during their lifetime and are still
being agonized.
Let’s pray to Allah to hasten the appearance of our Imam (a.s.) so we can stop this anguish and pain!
Jannat-ul-Baqi at present
Ref: History of the Cemetery of Jannat Al-Baqi, www.al-islam.org/shrines/baqi.htm
www.ezsoftech.com/islamic/baqi.asp
www.ezsoftech.com/islamic/baqi.asp
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