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.
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).
