By: Murtaza Haider
One of the most prominent places in Islam is the cemetery known as Al-Baqi, located to the southeast of Masjid-un-Nabawi in Madina al-Munawwara, Saudi Arabia. Al-Baqi is also referred to as Jannatul Baqi, meaning the “Garden of Baqi.” However, none of its former greenery is left due to Wahhabi destructions.
The cemetery of Jannatul Baqi is a powerful and eminent place where Imam Hasan Mujtaba ibn Ali (as), Imam Ali Zainul Abideen ibn Al-Husayn (as), Imam Muhammad Baqir ibn Ali (as), Imam Ja’far Sadiq ibn Muhammad (as), Lady Fatema Binte Asad (sa), and according to some narrations Lady Fatima Zahra (sa) are buried. The companions and family members of Prophet Mohammed (saww) are also buried in Jannatul Baqi. It is a burial place of enlightening personalities without whom the history of Islam is incomplete.
The Wahhabis believe visiting the graves and shrines of the Prophets and Imams and mourning them is a form of idolatry and therefore conclude that it is not an Islamic practice. These enemies of Islam demonstrated disrespect to the martyrs and companions of the Prophet (saww) from the early nineteenth century. Muslims who opposed their ideology were labeled as “infidels” and quickly killed. In 1802, the Wahhabis emerged victorious in Hijaz by killing many innocent Muslims. In 1803, they entered Mecca and destroyed a vast amount of sacred and holy sites, including the canopy over the well of Zamzam. The Wahhabis entered Madina to demolish Al-Baqi and every mosque they came across. The Saudi monarchs razed and bulldozed Jannatul Baqi and reminders of Siratul Mustaqeem to the ground.
In 1924, Wahhabis entered Hijaz for the second time for another ruthless massacre. Not only were houses destroyed but women and children were not spared either. On April 21, 1925 (8th Shawwal 1345 AH), Madina surrendered to the Wahhabi forces. All Islamic culture and heritage was destroyed. The mausoleums in al-Baqi were demolished by King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, the founder of the Nasibi-Wahhabi regime. Despite protests from the International Islamic community, Ibn Saud continued to destroy tombs of holy personalities in Jannatul Mu’alla in Mecca.
Demolition and destruction of sacred sites in Hijaz by the Wahhabis continues till this day. The plan of the enemies of Islam is to diminish Islamic legacy and culture in order to sever our ties with our religious history. It is our job as Muslims to be aware and spread awareness so that we recognize our enemies. Together, we can unite against the corrupt powers whether it is by raising our voices or simply by posting a status on social media.
Source: http://www.al-islam.org/history-shrines