The Bab al-Rahmah cemetery (مقبرة باب الرحمة), Cemetery of the Mercy Gate, is located along the Eastern Wall of the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount). This choice of burial grounds probably reflects theological beliefs concerning the last judgment and resurrection connected to the Mount of Olives and the Asihara area (north of Herod's Gate). This idea is further iterated by the as-Sirat marker located near the southern end of the eastern wall, which is believed to the place where the al-Sirat bridge will be hung.
The cemetery was probably initiated in the tenth century CE, although some of the graves in the cemetery are believed to date back as early as the seventh century. The Bab al-Rahma cemetery in Jerusalem is of particular importance because it hosts the graves of a number of companions and scholars, Muslim leaders and martyrs. The cemetery extends from the Lions' Gate in the north to the end of the eastern wall of the Masjid al-Aqsa complex.
circa 640 CE
Companions of Prophet Muhammad
At least two companions of prophet Muhammad are believed to be buried in the Bab al-Rehmah cemtery. One is the grave of Shadad ibn 'Aws (قبر شداد بن أوس), and the other one is the grave of Ubadah Ibn Samet (قبر عبادة بن صامت). Under what circumstances these two companions of prophet Muhammad were buried here are not known. A large number of other notable people are also interred in this cemetery.
circa
Egyptian Soldiers
The Bab al-Rahma Cemetery hosts the graves of the Egyptian soliers who were killed during the battle for Jerusalem. The historic cemetery is also believed to have been the last resting place of some of the soldier who participated with Salah al-Din in liberating the city from the Crusaders.
circa
The Mercy Gate (Bab al-Rahmah) might have allowed direct access in to the Bab al-Rahmah graveyard, before is was walled up. A local tradition also mentions that Imam al-Ghazali might have stayed here in a chamber located inside the upper story of the structure. The small cemetery covers an area of about 20 dunums.
circa
The Funeral’s Gate, now blocked, is one of al-Aqsa’s gates, located on its eastern wall. Its name stems from the fact that it was used by Muslims restrictedly to carry out funerals to Al-Rahma (Mercy) Graveyard. Today, the gate is permanently closed.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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