Baqii

Baqii, also spelled Baqi or Baqi’ and often referred to as Jannat al-Baqi’, is a historic cemetery in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It lies to the east of the Prophet’s Mosque and is one of the oldest and most significant burial grounds in the Islamic world. The name Baqi’ means “the graveyard” in Arabic, and the site is historically associated with the Muslim community of Medina since the early Islamic era.

Historically, Baqiii has served as the burial place for many of the Prophet Muhammad’s companions, as well as members of his family and other early Muslims. Over the centuries the cemetery expanded as Medina grew and more graves were added. The site is of particular importance to Muslims for its connection to the early Islamic community, and it is visited by some pilgrims and visitors seeking reflection on Islamic history.

In the modern era, Baqiii has undergone renovations and changes related to the expansion of the adjacent Prophet’s Mosque and varying religious and political reforms. These efforts have affected the layout and visibility of graves, but the cemetery remains a functioning burial ground. Today Baqiii contains hundreds of graves, marked and unmarked, reflecting its long role in Islamic history.