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Bab al-Rahma Cemetery - Jerusalem

 

Bab al-Rahma Cemetery lies along the eastern wall of the Old City of Jerusalem. It goes along the Old City’s eastern wall, which is 891 meters long and it also includes the 460-meter section that constitutes the eastern wall of the Haram al-Sharif. To visit the famous Muslim Cemetery of Bab al-Rahma in Jerusalem, I took a path which descends into the Kidron Valley and then a staircase leads to the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery. I entered the Bab al-Rahma from the South side, on it’s opposite side was the Lions Gate in the Jerusalem’s City Walls. 


This site has been subject to encroachment for years as the Israeli authorities seek to gain control of East Jerusalem and its surroundings, especially the Haram al-Sharif. Authorities want to change Jerusalem’s cultural landscape to create a panorama that corresponds to the narrative of the city’s history, in which a major and millenial Muslim cemetery has no role.

 

Bab al-Rahma Cemetery is seen here, below the city wall
Bab al-Rahma Cemetery is seen here, below the city wall
This path leads to the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery from the Kidron Valley
This path leads to the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery from the Kidron Valley
A sign beside the cemetery pointing to the different attractions in the city
Entering Bab al-Rahma from the South side
Entering Bab al-Rahma from the South side
Mount of Olives and the Pillar of Absalom is seen here from the cemetery
A small tree grown inside the cemetery - On LHS is the Russian Orthodox Chruch and on RHS, top of the Mount Olives is seen in this photo
A small tree grown inside the cemetery - On LHS is the Russian Orthodox Chruch and on RHS, top of the Mount Olives is seen in this photo
The 16th century city wall built by Suleiman the Magnificent
The 16th century city wall built by Suleiman the Magnificent
The Golden Gate and the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery
Sealed off Golden Gate in Bab al-Rahma is only accessible through this cemetery
Exetrior of the city walls - Large stones at the bottom of the wall are few centuries old
Exetrior of the city walls - Large stones at the bottom of the wall are few centuries old

Many famous muslim leaders, scholars and other figures are buried in this cemetery along with two sahaba, one is Ubadah Ibn al-Samet and other is Shaddad Ibn Aus. 
As-Samit was a dedicated follower of the Prophet, it is said that As-Samit fought alongside Muhammad (saw) in every major battle of the era. He is also claimed to be one of the scribes involved in penning the Holy Quran. His conversion to Islam came at a relatively early stage of the Prophet’s hijrah from Makkah to Madina, becoming one of the first 12 to embrace the religion prior to the journey. 
Shaddad Ibn Aus is also buried at Bab al-Rahma Cemetery. Shaddad bin Aus was one of the closer companions of the Prophet. He is believed to have narrated hadith directly from Nabi Muhammad (saw).

These graves indicate the Turkish style of graves
These graves indicate the Turkish style of graves
Grave of the sahabi Ubadah Ibn al-Samet buried in Bab al-Rahma Cemetery
Grave of the sahabi Ubadah Ibn al-Samet buried in Bab al-Rahma Cemetery
Ubadah Ibn al-Samet died in Jerusalem in 34 AH
Ubadah Ibn al-Samet died in Jerusalem in 34 AH
A plaque to show that sahabi Shaddad bin Aus is buried here
A plaque to show that sahabi Shaddad bin Aus is buried here
Grave of Shaddad Ibn Aus - One of the two sahaba buried in Jerusalem
Grave of Shaddad Ibn Aus - One of the two sahaba buried in Jerusalem
Top of the grave of Shaddad Ibn Aus in Bab al-Rahma Cemetery (Graveyard of the Door of the Blessings)
One of the graves in cemetery with Persian written on it
One of the graves in cemetery with Persian written on it
Graves in the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery - City wall is on RHS
Graves in the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery - City wall is on RHS
Entrance of the cemetery beside the Lions Gate
Entrance of the cemetery beside the Lions Gate
A plam tree inside the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery
A plam tree inside the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery
Bab al-Rahma Cemetery just below the city walls, Dome of the Rock and al Aqsa Mosque are behind the wall
Bab al-Rahma Cemetery just below the city walls, Dome of the Rock and al Aqsa Mosque are behind the wall