Jannat al-Baqi in Madina is one of the most sacred cemeteries in Islam. Just outside the walls of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, it is the resting place of many family members and companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as well as countless early Muslims. For centuries, Muslims who visit Madina for Hajj and Umrah have stood at its boundary in quiet dua, remembering those who are buried there and reflecting on the shortness of life.
Where is Jannat al-Baqi and why is it so important?
Jannat al-Baqi is located in Madina al-Munawwarah, directly to the east of the Prophet’s Mosque. Today, it appears as a wide, open area filled with simple sand mounds and unmarked graves, surrounded by walls and designated visiting times. Despite its modest appearance, it is regarded as one of the holiest graveyards in Islam due to the notable individuals buried there: members of the Prophet’s household (Ahl al-Bayt), many of his wives, leading companions, and prominent scholars of the early generations.
For many pilgrims, visiting Jannat al-Baqi is a way of honoring the early Muslims who sacrificed so much for the faith, and it reminds the heart that every human being, no matter how great, eventually returns to Allah.
How did Jannat al-Baqi begin?
When the Prophet ﷺ migrated from Makkah to Madina (the Hijrah), the area that became Jannat al-Baqi was a simple piece of land covered with small thorny bushes known as al-baqi‘ al-gharqad. The city expanded around it, and it soon became the public burial ground for the Muslims of Madina.
The first person known to be buried there was As‘ad ibn Zurara (ra), one of the early Ansar (helpers of Madina) who accepted Islam and supported the Prophet ﷺ even before the Hijrah. Shortly afterward, other companions and family members of the Prophet were also buried there, and the site’s status as the main Muslim cemetery of Madina became firmly established.
Early burials: family of the Prophet and companions
Over time, Jannat al-Baqi became the resting place for thousands of the Prophet’s companions and prominent figures of early Islam. Different historical sources list slightly different names and numbers, but it is commonly said that at least 10,000 companions are buried in or around this cemetery. Some of the most notable early burials include:
- Uthman ibn Maz‘un (ra) – One of the earliest migrants from Makkah; he is often remembered as among the first of the Muhajirun buried in al-Baqi.
- Ruqayyah bint Muhammad (ra) – The Prophet’s daughter and wife of Uthman ibn Affan (ra), who passed away around the time of the Battle of Badr.
- Ibrahim ibn Muhammad (ra) – The Prophet’s young son, who was also buried in Jannat al-Baqi.
- Many wives of the Prophet ﷺ – Including Aisha (ra), Hafsa (ra), Umm Salama (ra), and others, whose simple graves are traditionally located together in one area.
- Grandson of the Prophet, Imam Hasan ibn Ali (ra) – Along with several of the later Imams from Ahl al-Bayt in the Shia tradition, such as Ali Zayn al-Abidin, Muhammad al-Baqir, and Ja‘far al-Sadiq (may Allah be pleased with them).
Because of these burials, Jannat al-Baqi is often described as a “garden of the people of the Prophet,” a place where many of those closest to him are laid to rest.
How did the cemetery change over time?
In the early centuries of Islam, structures such as domes and small mausoleums were gradually built over many of the most notable graves in Jannat al-Baqi, as was common across the Muslim world at the time. Over the centuries, different dynasties expanded and renovated these structures.
However, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the cemetery went through major changes. During the period of the early Saudi-Wahhabi alliance, religious authorities ordered that domes and shrines over graves be demolished, based on their interpretation that such structures could lead to exaggeration and acts that resemble shirk (associating partners with Allah). This happened twice, once around 1806 and again in the 1920s. After that, the cemetery was primarily left as it appears today: simple mounds without large, decorated tombs.
Due to this history, Jannat al-Baqi is sometimes the subject of strong emotions and discussions in parts of the Muslim world. Some see the demolitions as a necessary step to protect tawhid (pure monotheism), while others feel a deep sadness over the loss of old historical structures. What all agree on, however, is the spiritual importance of the people buried there and the respect that the cemetery deserves.
How many people are buried in Jannat al-Baqi?
The exact number is unknown, particularly due to the fact that several graves remain unmarked and the cemetery has been operational since the era of the Prophet ﷺ. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people are buried there, perhaps much more, along with local people as well as the most renowned inhabitants of Madina.
To visitors, this forms a strong sense of belonging. To be on the fringe of Jannat al-Baqi is to be on the border of a place upon which generations of the faithful, since the early days of Islam, have been buried.
Visiting Jannat al-Baqi
To most of the people who perform Hajj or Umrah, visiting Jannat al-Baqi is perhaps one of the most emotional experiences that they have in Madina. Although the visit is not an obligation, such as tawaf or sa’i, visiting the graves to perform dua on behalf of the deceased and to remember the hereafter is a recommended obligation based on the message the Prophet ﷺ conveyed as to the visiting of graveyards in a humble and reflective manner.
Currently, accessibility is usually regulated, and visitors are normally invited in at certain times, and these are after the Fajr and Asr prayers. The place is warm and minimalistic inside. Elaborate decorations are absent, and photography is discouraged. The standard etiquette of visiting Jannat al-Baqi (and any cemetery) includes:
- Coming in with humility and reciting the special greetings of the people in the graves.
- Not engaging in loud discussions or arguments.
- Abstaining from any resemblance to requesting help directly of the deceased, but dua is made exclusively to Allah, and ascribing mercy to the deceased.
- Wearing modest clothes and considering the time and place rules.
The Hajj and Umrah journey and Jannat al-Baqi
Even though Jannat al-Baqi is not among the official manasik (rites) of Hajj or Umrah, it has a special position in the hearts of pilgrims who come to Madina as a part of this trip. The cemetery offers many pilgrims to contemplate death, accountability, and the blessings of Islam after reciting prayers in the Prophet’s Mosque.
To others, it is a reminder that, even the best companions, scholars, and leaders, one day will leave this life and will have to stand before their Lord with only their deeds. To others, it is an emotional connection to the history of Islam: the idea that some of the earliest Muslims were walking down the same streets, praying at the same mosque, and are now buried only a few feet apart.
A location of prayer and memory
The history of Jannat al-Baqi is not merely a tale of a piece of land in Madina. It is a narrative on the first Muslim community, their sacrifices and their strong faith. It is another reminder of the oneness of the Ummah throughout history: individuals of all parts of the world gather at Madina, stand behind the walls of the cemetery and pray to God to continue running Islam through the efforts of people whose names they might never know but through whom this faith went forward.
To anyone venturing into Madina, knowing the history of Jannat al-Baqi beforehand enriches the experience. The mere heaps of soil start revealing a far bigger narrative: of his family, of his disciples, and of the generations to come who returned to Allah and left behind them a heritage of devotion.
To make the most of your upcoming trip to Makkah and Madinah, visit WorldHajj.com. Discover a guide to the region’s most interesting and historically significant sites.