Yaum-e Gham, Persian for "Day of Sorrow", is a day commemorated by Shia Muslims, as the day that Jannatul Baqi, the Baqi Cemetery, was destroyed by the Saudi Arabia in 1925.
JANNATUL BAQI (BEFORE)
Literally “al-Baqee” means a tree garden. It is also known as Jannatul-Baqee’ due to its sanctity, since in it are buried many of our Prophet (saww)’s relatives and companions. The first companion of the Holy Prophet (saww) to be buried there was ‘Uthman bin Ma’dhoon. He died on 3rd Sha’ban 3 AH. The Holy Prophet (saww) ordered certain trees to be felled, and in its midst, he buried his dear companion, placing two stones over the grave. Ebrahim, the son of the Holy Prophet (saww) who died later and over whom the Holy Prophet (saww) bitterly wept, was also buried there. The people of Madina then began to use the site for the burial of their own dead because the Holy Prophet (saww) used to greet those who were buried in Jannatul-Baqee’ saying: “Peace be upon you, O abode of the faithful! God willing, we should soon join you. O Allah! Forgive the fellows of al-Baqee’”.
The burial site was later expanded at al-Baqee’. Nearly seven thousand of the Holy Prophet (saww)’s companions were buried there and many of his family members including the Ahlul-Bayt (as) praised in the Holy Quran. They are Sayyida Fatima (as) –the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet (saww), Imam al-Hasan (as), Imam ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn (as), Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) and Imam Ja’ffar al-Sadiq (as). Other relatives include: Safiyya and Aatika (his aunts); Fatima bint Asad (his aunt and mother of Imam ‘Ali); ‘Uthaman bin ‘Affaan, the third caliph of the Muslims was initially buried outside al-Baqee’ but later on, due to expansion of the burial ground, his grave was included in the area. In later years, great Muslim scholars like Malik bin Anas and many others were buried there too. Thus al-Baqee’ became a well-known place of great significance to all Muslims. Ibn Batuta, the famous traveller has said, “At al-Baqee are the graves of numerous Muhajireen and Ansaar and many companions of the Holy Prophet (saww), except that most of their names are unknown”.
On 8th Shawwal, Wednesday, in the year 1345 AH, (April 21st 1925) the mausoleums in Jannatul-Baqee’ in Madina were demolished by King Ibn Saud. In the same year, he also demolished the tombs of holy personages at Jannatul-Mu’alla where the Holy Prophet (saww)’s mother, wife, grandfather and other ancestors are buried. This day is indeed a great day of grief and sorrow for all Muslims.
