Hojjat al-Islam Navvab: Baqi' Was Place of Worship, School, Camp and Place of Prayer in Era of Prophet (PBUH)

According to Hajj Infomation Base, at the International Congress of al-Baqi, the Burial of Imam and Companions, Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Abdolfattah Navvab, also head of the Iranian Hajj pilgrims, said "Baqi's issue can be discussed from different aspects and despite its spiritual and fruitful position, this holy place has been oppressed."

Pointing out that the oppression of al-Baqi is more painful than what has happened, he stated: Today the society is deprived of the bright lights of the innocent imams and companions buried in al-Baqi and if the holy Imams were buried in any other land, they had been more respected and  their pilgrims more honored.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab further pointed out that precious personalities were buried in Baqi, and said: Many elders are buried in this place and there is no name of them, and if you ask many people about these personalities, maybe there is a lot of information. They don't know about them, despite the fact that a large number of the companions of the Prophet (PBUH), Imams (AS) and their friends and followers are buried in this place, among which we can mention the martyrs of Uhud.

In another part of his speech, he mentioned the dignity and status of al-Baqi and said: Many books about al-Baqi and the infallible Imams (AS) and the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) have been written in this place and al-Baqi is a witness throughout history.

Referring to the fact that alBaqi had a high position with the Holy Prophet of Islam after Masjid al-Nabi, he said that the Prophet (PBUH) used to go to al-Baqi every night, which shows the virtue of this holy place and al-Baqi throughout history despite all the restrictions should be the focus of attention of Muslims.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab emphasized the necessity of proper reconstruction of al-Baqi and stated: One of the high-ranking personalities buried in Baqi is "Fatima Bint Asad", the mother of Imam Ali (AS), who may not be known by many pilgrims, if it is narrated that the Prophet When they prayed over his body, he said Takbeer 70 times and entered the grave to organize his grave and left the grave while crying.

He said: The Prophet of Islam also used to go to Baqi on the night of the middle of Sha'ban, and Muslims believe that the night of the middle of Sha'ban is the night of forgiveness.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab, emphasizing that the Prophet (PBUH) used al-Baqi as a school and training camp, said that it has been narrated that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) performed prayer (seeking rain) in this holy place and also with Imam Ali (AS) entered Baqi' and gave lessons, spiritual and educational discussions in this holy place.

He further said about the importance of visiting the graves of al-Baqi: Imam Hasan bin Ali (AS) asked the Prophet of God (PBUH): My father! What is the reward of someone who visits you? The Prophet of God (PBUH) said: My son! Whoever visits me - whether I am alive or dead - your father, your brother, or you, it is my responsibility to visit him on the Day of Resurrection and to absolve him of his sins.

Hojjat al-Islam Navvab said in the end that the graves of Imams (AS) and companions of the Prophet (PBUH) are blessed places that should be respected and honored.

It should be noted that the International Congress of al-Baqi, the Burial of Imam and Companions was attended by Ayatollah Mohsen Qomi, Deputy for International Affairs of the Office of the Supreme Leader, Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Ali Qazi Askar, the guardian of the shrine of Hazrat Abdul Azim Hassani (AS) and a group of scholars, thinkers, domestic and foreign researchers and professors and University. The congress was held at the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Institute, and Ayatollah Hosseini Bushehri, the head of Qom Seminary's seminary community, also gave a speech.