Loneliness at Jannat-ul-Baqee
Written by Farah Zehra
The Dismal lock down during Covid 19 outbreak reminds of desolated Jannatul Baqee..
Amidst the covid 19 outbreak the forced social distancing and global lock down has led to the epidemic of loneliness amongst people, although it has been just a month only. The all gloom doom of worldwide lock down reminds us of the deserted graves of Jannat-ul-Baqee, which has been closed for visitors since hundred years. One of the holiest cemeteries which is the resting place of Prophet’s one and only daughter Fatima (s.a.), his grandsons and relatives was demolished in 1926 and it still stays sealed and prohibited for the devotees. Though the adjacent Masjid-e-Nabawi brims almost whole year round with devotees and visitors but the graves in Jannat-ul-Baqee remain isolated and deserted.
In this time of lock down we all are missing on visiting the holy shrines of Ahlulbayt (a.s.) even graves of our deceased loved ones but Jannat-ul-Baqee has been locked down since several decades. Not only Shia devotees ( especially women) are deprived to visit these graves but what makes the place more gloomy and heart wrenching is the sight of the graves. The graves are leveled to an extent that they cannot be identified and have no proper demarcation. All year round the holy shrines of our martyred Imams (a.s.), remain open and masses gather to pay their respect, while their mother Fatima Zehra (s.w.a.) lay secluded.
These days of depressive sight of deserted roads, public places, holy shrines and even Kaaba is what is being witnessed by Jannat-ul-Baqee for several decades. The desolated cemetery remains under strict vigilance restricting people from entering the graveyard. Even a gesture of respect by the visitors is not tolerated there resulting into complete desolation of that place.
Such severe restriction is not seen even in this time of pandemic outbreak. The loneliness that can be seen at the grave of Hazrat Fatima (s.a.) makes us feel as if the oppression on her hasn’t ceased to end even after years of her martyrdom. The forced pause at Baqee has seized the glory of that place just as the dreary surroundings of ours these days.
But this is just a HOPE that sometimes fluctuates though for a better tomorrow which is driving all of us and keeps us going in these ongoing circumstances. Let us stand together in this hope that Jannat-ul-Baqee, our historical place of eminence be rebuilt and restored in the coming times.
The still lonesome ambience at Jannat-ul-Baqee
To be once again an opulent place to visit is our plea When this crisis is over, may we experience more love, compassion and empathy. Let’s come together, irrespective of our sect strive to restore and rebuild Baqee.
