Imam Sadiq Online Seminary offers heartfelt condolences on the occasion of 8th Shawwal: The Anniversary of the Demolition of ‘Jannat al-Baqi’ cemetery
…and Soon will the wrong-doers know the end that they shall reach! (Surat Ash-Shu'ara [verse 227])
On 8 Shawwal, 1344 A.H. (April 21, 1926), the evil hands of Abdul Aziz Al Saud, founder of Saudi dynasty, dared to attack and demolish one of the holiest Islamic sites in the world, the sacred shrines of Imam Hassan Mujtaba, Imam Ali Zaynul Abideen, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, and Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon them) and according to some narrations, the grave of the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet peace be upon him and his holy progeny.
In the same year, the Saudi government demolished other mausoleums, like the mausoleums and shrines of the Holy Prophet Muhammad's (P.B.U.H) mother, wife, grandfather, and other ancestors. They also managed to erase the signs of all the historical Islamic sites and monuments and demolished the graves of more than 200 famous companions of Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). The Saudi government banned Muslims from reconstructing the shrines and graves from that time until today.
Jannatul Baqee:
Literally “al-Baqee” means a tree garden. It is also known as Jannatul-Baqee’ due to its sanctity since in it are buried many of our Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H)’s relatives and companions. The first companion of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) to be buried there was ‘Uthman bin Ma’dhoon.
He died on 3rd Sha’ban 3 AH. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) ordered certain trees to be felled, and in its midst, he buried his dear companion, placing two stones over the grave. Ibrahim, the son of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) who died later and over whom the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) bitterly wept, was also buried there.
The people of Madinah then began to use the site for the burial of their dead because the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to greet those who were buried in Jannatul-Baqee’ saying: “Peace be upon you, O abode of the faithful! God willing, we should soon join you. O, Allah! Forgive the fellows of al-Baqee’”.
This day, 8th of Shawwal, is indeed a day of grief and sorrow and we ask Allah to hasten the reappearance of the Promised one to avenge of the rights of the Ahlul Bayt and bring Justice to the World.
"They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah will not consent to save to perfect His light, though the unbelievers are averse"
Surat al-Tauba [verse 32]
Imam Sadiq Online Seminary
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