Youm-e-Inhedam Jannatul Baqi – The Destruction of Al-Baqi: A Day of Global Mourning

Introduction

Every year on 8th Shawwal, millions of Muslims around the world commemorate Youm-e-Inhedam Jannatul Baqi – the Day of Demolition of Jannat al-Baqi, a day marked by sorrow, reflection, and protest. It was on April 21, 1925 (8 Shawwal 1345 AH) that the sacred cemetery of Jannatul Baqi in Madina was razed to the ground by order of King Ibn Saud, as part of a larger campaign by the Wahhabi movement to remove Islamic tombs and shrines across the holy lands of Hijaz (present-day Saudi Arabia).

This brutal act did not only affect the hearts of Shia Muslims but wounded the sentiments of the entire Ummah, regardless of sect, as the cemetery was home to some of the most revered figures in Islamic history.

What is Jannat al-Baqi?

Jannat al-Baqi, also known as Al-Baqi Al-Gharqad, is an ancient and highly significant Islamic cemetery located east of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

Literally meaning “The Garden of Tree Roots,” Al-Baqi became known as “Jannatul Baqi” (The Garden of Paradise) due to its sanctity. It is the final resting place of many close relatives and companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), including:

• Imam Hasan ibn Ali (a) – 2nd Imam

• Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a) – 4th Imam

• Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a) – 5th Imam

• Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a) – 6th Imam

Also buried in Al-Baqi are:

• Wives of the Prophet (s),

• His beloved son Ibrahim,

• His aunts Safiya and Aatika,

• The Prophet’s mother-in-law Fatima bint Asad,

• Countless Sahaba (companions) and Tabi’un.

Historical Significance of Jannatul Baqi

The first person to be buried in Al-Baqi was Uthman Ibn Maz’oon, a dear companion of the Prophet (s), who passed away in the 3rd year after Hijrah. Over time, Al-Baqi expanded and became a sanctified space of remembrance. The Prophet himself used to frequently visit the cemetery and pray for its dwellers, saying:

“Peace be upon you, O abode of the faithful! God willing, we shall soon join you.”

Al-Baqi became a site of pilgrimage for generations of Muslims, a place of connection with early Islamic history, the Ahlul Bayt (a), and the great scholars of Islam.

The Destruction of Al-Baqi in 1925

🔥 8 Shawwal 1345 AH / April 21, 1925 – A Day of Tragedy

Under the rule of King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud and with ideological backing from the Wahhabi movement, Jannat al-Baqi was bulldozed, destroying the tombs, domes, and shrines of revered Islamic personalities.

This was not an isolated incident. The same year, Jannat al-Mualla in Makkah, where the Prophet’s mother Amina bint Wahab, his first wife Sayyida Khadija (a), and grandfather Abdul Muttalib are buried, was also destroyed.

What followed was a systemic erasure of Islamic heritage, including:

• Bayt Al-Ahzan, the house of mourning of Fatima al-Zahra (a).

• The house where the Prophet (s) was born.

• Numerous mosques and relics associated with the Prophet (s), the Imams, the Sahaba, and righteous scholars.

Why Was Al-Baqi Destroyed?

The Wahhabi ideology, backed by the Saudi regime, considered the building of shrines and the visitation of graves as bid’ah (innovation) and shirk (polytheism). They labeled many Islamic practices as un-Islamic and demolished countless historical and spiritual sites in an attempt to “purify” the religion.

However, many scholars, both Sunni and Shia, have argued that this destruction was not based on Islamic principles but rather a political and ideological move to disconnect Muslims from their roots. Some even see it as part of a Zionist conspiracy, aimed at obliterating Islamic identity under the banner of Tawheed.

First vs. Second Destruction of Al-Baqi

• First Attack (Early 1800s): During the initial rise of the Wahhabis, many shrines were destroyed and desecrated. However, Ottoman intervention helped restore many sites.

• Second Attack (1925): With no Ottoman power to defend the holy sites, the Wahhabi forces carried out their plans without resistance, leading to the complete leveling of Al-Baqi.

Al-Baqi Today: A Ground of Dust, Yet Full of Light

Today, Al-Baqi stands as a flat, unmarked field, surrounded by iron fencing. No signs or markers honor the legacy of those buried there. Millions who visit Madina are unable to offer proper respects to the Imams, companions, and family of the Prophet (s).

Despite the physical destruction, Al-Baqi lives on in the hearts of Muslims worldwide.

The Call for Restoration

Muslims across the globe continue to demand:

• The rebuilding of Al-Baqi and other destroyed shrines.

• Respect for religious diversity within Islam.

• The recognition of the Ahlul Bayt (a) and Islamic heritage as sacred to the entire Ummah.

Youm-e-Inhedam Jannatul Baqi is a global Islamic day of protest and remembrance. From Karachi to Karbala, Tehran to Toronto, Muslims march peacefully, raise black flags, and demand justice for their heritage.

Why It Matters

This is not a Shia issue alone. The destruction of Al-Baqi is a Muslim issue, a historical wound, and a reminder of the fragility of our religious heritage. Let us not forget. Let us raise awareness. Let us strive for the rebuilding of Al-Baqi, and more importantly, for the rebuilding of unity among Muslims.