When Muhammad arrived in Medina from
Mecca in September 622 CE, al-Baqi' was a land covered with boxthorn. According to historical records, after Muhammad’s arrival, the houses of Medina developed near al-Baqi', which was therefore considered the public tomb. The bramble growth was cleared, and the place was consecrated to be the future cemetery of the Muslims who died in al-Madina. During the construction of the Prophet’s Mosque on the site he purchased from two orphan children after his migration from Mecca to Medina,
As'ad ibn Zurarah, one of Muhammad's companions, died. Muhammad chose the spot to be a cemetery, and As'ad was the first individual to be buried in al-Baqi' among the
Ansar. While Muhammad was outside Medina for the
Battle of Badr, his daughter
Ruqayyah fell ill and died in 624. She was buried in al-Baqi'. Ruqayyah was the first person from the
Ahl al-Bayt (Household of Muhammad) to be buried in this cemetery. Shortly after Muhammad arrived from Badr,
Uthman bin Maz'oon died in 3 AH (624/625 CE) and was buried in al-Baqi'. Following his instructions, two of his daughters
Zainab and
Umm Kulthum, were also buried near the grave of
Uthman bin Maz'oon. Initially, the third caliph,
Uthman, was buried in the large neighbouring Jewish graveyard. The first expansion of al-Baqi' was carried out by
Muawiyah I, the first Umayyad caliph. To honor Uthman, Muawiyah incorporated the extensive Jewish cemetery into al-Baqi’s burial grounds. The
Umayyad Caliphate constructed the first dome over Uthman’s grave in al-Baqi’. Over time, numerous domes and structures were built or reconstructed over various graves in al-Baqi’.
Demolition First demolition The cemetery was demolished (or 1926). At the beginning of the nineteenth century, during the
Wahhabi control over Mecca and Medina in 1806, many religious buildings, including tombs and mosques, were demolished. This demolition occurred both inside and outside al-Baqi, in accordance with the Wahhabi interpretation of Islamic doctrine that forbids idolatry. due to Wahhabi claims of grave worship.
Second demolition The House of Saud regained control of the Hijaz in 1924 The demolition included destroying "even the simplest of the gravestones.". efforts have been made by
Iranian religious scholars and political figures to restore the cemetery and its shrines. and rallies are held annually. The day is regarded as
Yaum-e Gham ("
Day of Sorrow"). Prominent Sunni theologians and intellectuals have condemned the "unfit" situation of the Baqi cemetery. However, the Saudi authorities have ignored all criticism and rejected any requests for the restoration of the tombs and mausoleums. ==Notable early burials==