Jannat al-Baqi

Jannat al-Baqi is the very old cemetery right next to Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. Its name means 'The Garden of Baqi,' and it is one of the most blessed pieces of land on Earth. Thousands of the Prophet's family members, wives, children, and best companions are buried here.

The first person ever buried in Baqi was a close companion named Uthman ibn Maz'oon (RA). When he passed away, the Prophet ﷺ chose this spot for him and placed a stone over his grave so he could always recognize it. After that, the Prophet ﷺ said this would be the cemetery for the people of Madinah.

So many beloved people of the Prophet ﷺ rest here. His tiny son Ibrahim, his daughters Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Zaynab, his wives like Aisha and Hafsa (RA), and his uncle Abbas (RA), and great companions like Uthman ibn Affan (RA) — the third caliph — are all buried in Baqi.

The Prophet ﷺ used to walk to Baqi very often, especially late at night. He would stand at the gate and say a beautiful greeting: 'Peace be upon you, O people of the graves. May Allah forgive us and you, and we will follow you one day, in shaa Allah.' That gentle salam is still said by visitors today.

If you visit Baqi, you will see a wide, sandy field with simple unmarked stones — there are no fancy buildings or tall tombs. That is on purpose, to keep the place humble. Boys and men can walk inside in the morning and after Asr, while girls and women make du'a from outside the wall. Either way, every visitor leaves with a soft heart, remembering that the best gift we can give our loved ones who have passed away is a sincere du'a.