Jannat-ul-Baqi/ Ghazwah Uhud and the blessed Sahabah’s love for Rasool

Jannat-ul-Baqi’ is an ancient, famous and blessed graveyard of Madinah Munawwarah. This graveyard located southeast of Masjid-un-Nabawi’s blessed neighbourhood is visited by thousands of Muslims. The devotees of Rasool visit the blessed shrines of Sahabah and Awliya which are located over here and have the privilege of reciting Fatihah.

Selection of Jannat-ul-Baqi’ as a graveyard

The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was in search of such a place where he could lay to rest his Ashaab [blessed companions]. He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم saw different places and then Jannat-ul-Baqi’ had this privilege. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: I have been ordered to (select) this place, i.e. Baqi’. (Al-Mustadrak, vol. 4, pp. 191, Hadees 4919)

Names of Jannat-ul-Baqi’ and their reasons

In Arabic, a plain with trees is called Baqi’. There were Gharqad [غَرقَد] trees in this plain in the past; for this reason, this place got famous by the name of Baqi’-ul-Gharqad. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 2, pp. 525)

The Arabs usually call their graveyards “Jannat”, so people started calling it Jannat-ul-Baqi’. Its famous name amongst the Bedouin is Maqabir-ul-Baqi’ [مَقابِرُ البَقِیع]. (Justuju-e-Madinah, pp. 598)

Total covered area of Jannat-ul-Baqi’

Jannat-ul-Baqi’ covered less area in the early days of Islam. Its first expansion took place in the era of Sayyiduna Ameer Mu’awiyah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ and further expansions took place afterwards. It covered a total area of 15000 square metres at the end of the Turkish rule. Further expansions also kept taking place afterwards and nowadays it covers a total area of 56000 square metres. (Ibid)

The blessed Sahabah and Awliya resting in Jannat-ul-Baqi’

Jannat-ul-Baqi’ is Afzal [superior] to all the graveyards of the world. Approximately 10 thousand blessed Sahabah and honourable Ahl-e-Bayt-e-Athaar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم, countless blessed Tabi’een, Tab’-e-Tabi’een and blessed Awliya رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی, and other fortunate Muslims are resting in Jannat-ul-Baqi’. (Jannati Zaywar, pp. 390; ‘Aashiqan-e-Rasool ki 130 Hikayaat, pp. 262)

Following are some famous names: Sayyiduna Abbas Bin ‘Abdul Muttalib, Ameer-ul-Mu’mineen Sayyiduna ‘Usman-e-Ghani, Sayyidatuna Fatimah Zahra, Umm-ul-Mu’mineen Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah and many other Ummahat-ul-Mu’mineen, Sayyiduna Ibraheem - beloved son of Rasoolullah, Sayyiduna ‘Abdur Rahman Bin ‘Awf, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin Mas’ood, Sayyiduna Imam Hasan, Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah and Sayyiduna Hassaan Bin Saabit رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم. (Wafa-ul-Wafa, vol. 3, pp. 1411)

The first Sahabi laid to rest in Jannat-ul-Baqi’

Sayyiduna ‘Usman Bin Maz’oon رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ from Muhajireen and Sayyiduna As’ad Bin Zurarah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ from Ansaar were the first Sahabah laid to rest in Jannat-ul-Baqi’. (Sharh Abu Dawood, vol. 5, pp. 272, Taht-al-Hadees: 1339)

Beloved Rasool’s visit to Jannat-ul-Baqi’

The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would often visit Jannat-ul-Baqi’. Umm-ul-Mu’mineen Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا has narrated that once he [صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم] went to Jannat-ul-Baqi’ in the last part of the night and made Du’a of forgiveness for the people of Baqi’. (Sahih Muslim, pp. 376, Hadees 2255; Jazb-ul-Quloob, pp. 149)

Excellence of Jannat-ul-Baqi’

Saying of Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم: My grave will get open first, then [the grave] of Abu Bakr and then [the grave] of ‘Umar. Then, I will come to the people of Baqi’, so they will be raised with me. (Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 388, Hadees 3712)

In one narration, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: Seventy thousand such people will be raised from this graveyard who will enter Jannah without accountability. (Majma’-uz-Zawaid, vol. 3, pp. 686, Hadees 5908; summarized)

Excellence of being buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi’

Du’a of forgiveness was made, as the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: Ya Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Forgive the people of Baqi’-e-Gharqad. (Sahih Muslim, pp. 376, Hadees 2255)

Good news of Shafa’at [intercession] was given. Saying of Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, ‘I will intercede (on the Day of Judgement) for the one who will be buried in this graveyard of ours (i.e. in Baqi’-e-Gharqad)’; or he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘[I] will give testimony for him.’ (Tareekh Madinah, vol. 1, pp. 97)

Desire for being buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi’

For this very reason, some blessed Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم made a will to be buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi’, so their blessed bodies were brought from faraway places and buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi’. Following are the names of some of those blessed Sahabah: Sayyiduna Sa’d Bin Abi Waqas, Sayyiduna Sa’eed Bin Zayd, Sayyiduna Sa’eed Bin ‘Aas, Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah and Sayyiduna Usamah Bin Zayd رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم. (Justuju-e-Madinah, pp. 604)

Method of visiting Jannat-ul-Baqi’

Present Salam to the blessed personages resting in Jannat-ul-Baqi’ and make Du’a while standing outside, as almost all the blessed shrines located in Jannat-ul-Baqi’ have now been demolished. If you go inside, you will never know that you are stepping on the grave of a Sahabi or a Wali. It is Haraam [prohibited] to step on even the graves of the general Muslims and it is also Haraam to walk on a walkway which is made by demolishing the graves. (Rafeeq-ul-Haramayn, pp. 235, 236; summarized)

Ya Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Bless us with martyrdom in the state of Iman, peace and safety, and a final resting place in Jannat-ul-Baqi’.

اٰمِيۡن   بِجَاهِ   النَّبِيِّ  الۡاَمِيۡن   صَلَّى  اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى  عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

‘Ata ker do, ‘ata ker do Baqi’-e-Pak mayn madfan

Mayri ban jaye turbat Ya Shah-e-Kawsar Madinay mayn

Jis jagah per aa kay so`ay hayn Sahabah das hazaar

Us Baqi’-e-Pak kay saaray mazaraun ko Salam

صَلُّوْا عَلَی الْحَبِیْب!                    صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلٰی مُحَمَّد

Ghazwah Uhud is one of the early Ghazwahs of the Islamic history which took place in Shawwal-ul-Mukarram, 3^rd Hijri on Saturday. (Nuzhat-ul-Qaari, vol. 4, pp. 769)

A time came in this Ghazwah when Satan spread a rumour that the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم had been martyred, due to which the [Muslim] troops became disheartened.

What will we do by remaining alive?

Sayyiduna Anas Bin Nadar Ansari رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ reached a place while fighting where some disheartened Muslims were sitting. He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ asked the reason, so they replied: ‘What will we now do by fighting; the person for whom we would fight has got martyred.’ He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ said: ‘If Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has really got martyred, what will we do by remaining alive after him? Stand up and get martyred by following the same path.’ Thereafter, he رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ made an all-out attack on the enemy and got martyred while fighting. There were 70 wound marks on his blessed body. (Zurqani ‘Alal-Mawahib, vol. 2, pp. 417)

Husn-e-Yusuf peh katiyn Misr mayn angsht-e-zanan

Sar katatay hayn Tayray naam peh Mardan-e-‘Arab

(Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish)

Sahabah felt heartened again

In this situation [when the rumour had spread], Sayyiduna Ka’b Bin Maalik رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ recognised the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and called out in a loud voice: ‘[O] the Muslims! Have good news; he [i.e. here] is Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.’ (Dalail-un-Nubuwah, Lil-Bayhaqi, vol. 3, pp. 237)

Listening to it, the blessed Sahabah عَـلَيْهِمُ الرِّضْوَانْ felt heartened again and started gathering at that place. The Kuffar [unbelievers] also made a full-scale attack over there. At that time, the blessed Sahabah عَـلَيْهِمُ الرِّضْوَانْ showed such courageous skills which are unmatched by any example in the history.

The blessed Sahabah sacrificed their lives

When Kuffar came near for attacking, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: ‘Who is the one who moves them away from us and attain Jannah [Paradise]?’ A Sahabi from Ansaar moved forward and fought against Kuffar until he got martyred. After him, a second Ansari moved forward and fought [and it continued] until seven Ansari Sahabi got martyred one after another. (Muslim, pp. 764, Hadees 1789)

Arm became lifeless

Sayyiduna Talhah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ is one of the staunch devotees of Rasool [who fought bravely] that day. When Sayyiduna Talhah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ didn’t find anything to stop the arrows flying towards the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, he brought his arm in front, which was hit by so many arrows that it became lifeless, i.e. it could not be used. (Bukhari, vol. 3, pp. 38, Hadees 4063)  

He was afraid lest an arrow hits Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم!

Sayyiduna Abu Talhah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was fearlessly fighting [with the enemy] to sacrifice his life for the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Two or three bows broke in his hands. Whenever the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would raise his blessed head to see the enemy, Sayyiduna Abu Talhah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ would humbly request: ‘May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! Please do not raise your blessed neck lest any arrow hits you. My chest is a shield for your blessed chest.’ (Bukhari, vol. 3, pp. 38, Hadees 4064) (Seerat-e-Halbiyah, vol. 2, pp. 311)

My mother and father be sacrificed for you!

Sayyiduna Sa’d رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ was firing arrows on the enemy and the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was giving arrows to Sayyiduna Sa’d رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ by his blessed hands. Sayyiduna Sa’d رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ had this privilege the same day that the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said to him: “Sa’d! My mother and father be sacrificed for you; fire arrows!” (Bukhari, vol. 3, pp. 37, Hadees 4055)

Shield against arrows

When Sayyiduna Abu Dujanah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ did not find anything for [using as] shield, he made his back a shield for the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He received arrows on his back but did not let anything hurt the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم even slightly. (Sayr A’laam-ul-Nibla, vol. 1, pp. 399)

The eye came out

Sayyiduna Qatadah Bin Nu’man Ansari رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ brought his face in front of the blessed face of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم [to protect it]. An arrow hit his eye due to which his eye came out. (Subl-ul-Huda wa-Rishad, vol. 4, pp. 240)

Sight of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم when the soul departed

Sayyiduna Ziyad bin Al-Sakan (according to some narrators, Ammarah Bin Ziyad Bin Al-Sakan) رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ is also one of the staunch devotees of Rasool [who fought bravely] that day; he had the privilege of sacrificing his life for the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ fought bravely to such an extent that he got severely wounded. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: ‘Bring him closer to me.’ He رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ passed away in such condition that his face was placed on the feet of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. (Sayr A’laam-ul-Nibla, vol. 1, pp. 399)

Najam ki Ay Khuda aarzu hay yehi aashiq zar ki aabru hay yehi

Maut kay waqt sar in kay qadmon mayn ho deed hoti rahay dam nikalta rahy

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy on them and forgive us without accountability for their sake.

اٰمِــيْن بِـجَـاهِ الـنَّـبِـیِّ الْاَمِــيْن صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم conquered Makkah Mukarramah in Ramadan-ul-Mubarak 8 Hijri and also conquered the hearts of Kuffar [unbelievers] of Makkah by granting everyone complete forgiveness. Therefore, a large number of people started embracing Islam happily.

Why did Ghazwah Hunayn take place?

Majority of the Arabs embraced Islam and became devotees of Rasool but two tribes, namely Hawazin and Saqeef who resided in a locality called ‘Hunayn’, situated between Makkah Mukarramah and Taif, held a negative opinion of the Conquest of Makkah. They were never reluctant to fight wars and were well aware of the military tactics too. When Makkah was conquered, those tribes presumed by themselves that they are the next target of the Muslims. Therefore, their craze for war started dominating them; their leaders made Maalik Bin ‘Awf Naseeri commander of the army by mutual consent and under his leadership, they became busy making preparations for attacking the Muslims. (Seerat Halbiyah, vol. 3, pp. 151; summarized)

Preparations made by the Muslims

The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم also started making preparations for the war. 100 suits of armour (special metal clothing wore in the wars) along with other war essentials were purchased on credit from Safwan Bin Abi Umayyah who had not yet embraced Islam. Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم borrowed 3000 spears from his paternal cousin, Sayyiduna Nawfal Bin Haaris رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ. In the month of Shawwal, 8 Hijri, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم set off with an army of 12,000 blessed Sahabah which also included 2000 new converts to Islam who were the citizens of Makkah. (Zurqaani ‘alal Mawahib, vol. 3, pp. 498-499; Ar-Raud-ul-Unuf, vol. 4, pp. 205)

Start of the war

Muslims reached the Hunayn valley in the night. They had just left for the war in the early morning when the Kuffar hiding over there made an attack and fired a hail of arrows [at the Muslims]. (Zurqaani ‘alal Mawahib, vol. 3, pp. 506; summarized)

Chants of Labbayk

The rows of the Muslims had become disorganised due to the sudden attack but even in this situation, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم moved his riding animal towards Kuffar and asked his paternal uncle, Sayyiduna ‘Abbas رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ to call Sahabah. When Sayyiduna ‘Abbas رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ called [them], all the Ansaar and Muhajireen came while chanting “Labbayk, Labbayk (i.e. we are in attendance)”; they rushed so fast that the Sahabah whose horses could not turn because of the crowd, threw their suits of armour and dismounted from the horses to reach quickly and ran [towards Rasoolullah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم], making an all-out attack on the Kuffar with new spirit and enthusiasm.

Muslims’ victory

When the war escalated in the battlefield, the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم took pieces of gravel in his blessed hand, threw them at the faces of Kuffar and said: ‘شَاہَتِ الْوُجُوْہُ’ i.e. may the faces deteriorate. As soon as the pieces of gravel were thrown, Kuffar ran away being confused and agitated, and Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ blessed His Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم with victory. (Zurqaani ‘alal Mawahib, vol. 3, pp. 507-512; summarized)

Following are the names of 4 blessed Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم who embraced martyrdom in Ghazwah Hunayn:

٭   Sayyiduna Ayman Bin ‘Ubayd

٭   Sayyiduna Yazeed Bin Zam’ah

٭   Sayyiduna Suraqah Bin Haaris

٭   Sayyiduna Abu ‘Aamir Ash’ari رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم

(Seerat Ibn Hishaam, pp. 493)

Mayn tayray hathaun kay sadaqay kaysi kankeriyan theen woh

Jin say itnay Kafiraun ka daf’atan munh phir gaya

(Hadaiq-e-Bakhshish, pp. 53)