THE FIRST GRAVE YARD IN ISLAAM

 

 

 

The first graveyard in Islam is **Jannat al-Baqīʿ** (جنة البقيع), located in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It is also known as **Baqīʿ al-Gharqad** (بقيع الغرقد).

 

 

 Key Facts About Jannat al-Baqīʿ:

 

1. **First Islamic Cemetery** – It was established by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) shortly after his migration (Hijrah) to Medina in 622 CE.

 

2. **Burial Place of Companions & Family** – Many prominent figures from Islamic history are buried here, including:

 

- The Prophet’s wives (except Khadijah and Maymunah)

 

- His daughter Fatimah (رضي الله عنها)

 

 

- His son Ibrahim

 

- His uncle Abbas (رضي الله عنه)

 

- Companions like Uthman ibn Affan (رضي الله عنه), Hasan ibn Ali (رضي الله عنه), and many others.

 

3. **Historical Significance** – The Prophet (ﷺ) used to visit Jannat al-Baqīʿ and pray for the deceased.

 

4. **Destruction & Restoration** – The original tombs were demolished in 1925 by the Saudi authorities  but the cemetery remains an important Islamic heritage site.

 

 

 Other Early Graveyards:

 

- **Jannat al-Mu'alla** in Mecca (where the Prophet’s wife Khadijah (رضي الله عنها) is buried) predates Baqīʿ but was not established by Muslims.

 

- **Uhud Martyrs' Cemetery** in Medina holds the graves of the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud, including Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib (رضي الله عنه).