Jannat al-Baqi

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Jannat al-Baqi (جنة البقيع) (also spelt Jannat ul-Baqi) is a famous cemetery in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, located right across from the Masjid al-Nabawi. It is well known since many of Muhammad's relatives and companions are buried here, and due to its sanctity. Its name means "Tree Garden of Heaven". Many traditions relate Muhammad issuing a prayer every time he passed the cemetery.

Prior to the twentieth century, many of the graves were covered with domes or other structures.

However, after the city of Madinah was taken by the Wahabbi forces of Ibn Saud, many of these buildings and tombs, originally intended to identify famous figures and enable Muslims to receive blessings or petition saints buried there for their intercession, were destroyed, in order to keep with the Wahabbi ideal of not venerating graves.

Despite this, the graves of many historic figures continue to be visited by numerous pilgrims and burials continue at the cemetery to this day as well.

After the demolition of 1925, Saudi authorities have stepped up restrictions with regards to visiting graves. Shias come to Jannatul Baqi to pay respect to their leaders, and this often involves invoking the dead and reciting salutations. However, this goes against the principles of the Wahabbi interpretation of Islam, state-sanctioned within Saudi Arabia, and the result is that often books and maps of the graves are confiscated by the authorities.

Many Shia continue to mourn the day that the House of Saud demolished graves in the Baqi cemetery, calling this day Yaum e Gham, literally meaning Day of Sorrow. They continue to protest the Saudi government's continuous demolition of shrines and ancient mosques in Saudi Arabia built over shrines.