Numerous narrations highlight the merits of visiting Jannatul Baqi and the rewards for paying respects to the Infallible Imams (a.s.) buried there, as well as praying for the Muslims interred within its grounds.
There are plenty of traditions in Shia books, documenting the virtues of visiting Baqi but let’s begin with what has been narrated by Ahle Tasannun sources. There is a hadith narrated by Ibn Shabba from Abu Muwahhib, the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), who said:
“The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) woke me up in the dead of the night and said, ‘I have been commanded to seek forgiveness for the people of Baqi. Come with me.’ So, I went with him. When he stood among them, he said: ‘Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of the graves! May you rejoice in what you have attained, unlike what the people are experiencing now. Trials are approaching like fragments of a dark night, each one worse than the last.’
Then, he sought forgiveness for them at length.”
Then he (the Prophet s.a.wa.) said: “O Abu Muwahhib, I have been given the keys to the treasures of this world and eternal life, with all its goodness—yet also the choice between that and meeting my Lord, then Paradise.”
I (Abu Muwahhib) said: “May my father and mother be sacrificed for you! Take the keys to the treasures of this world and eternal life!”
But the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) replied: “No, by Allah, O Abu Muwahhib! I have chosen to meet my Lord and then enter Paradise.”
After this, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) returned, and his final illness began—the one from which he would pass away.
Abu Muwahhib was a freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) from the Muzaynah tribe. He was among those who led Aisha’s camel.
Ref: https://shamela.ws/book/557/349
Another Narration from ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar: The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) came to Baqi’ and said: “Peace be upon you, O people of the graves. You have been promised (the Hereafter), and we too shall soon join you. O Allah, forgive the people of Baqi’ al-Gharqad.”
Ref: https://shamela.ws/book/36997/492
A hadith from Imam Hasan (a.s.): The Prophet (PBUH) stood at Baqi’ al-Gharqad (the old name of Baqi) and said three times: “Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of the graves.”
Then he added: “If only you knew what we have been saved from (by death) and what is yet to come after you…”
He then turned and said: “These (the deceased) are better than you.”
The companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), they are our brothers—they believed as we believe, spent in charity as we do, and fought as we fight, but their time has come, while we remain waiting (for ours).”
The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) replied: “They have passed on without receiving their full reward, while you continue to earn yours. I do not know what will become of you after me.”
Ref: https://shamela.ws/book/23695/646
Narrated by al-Tabarani in al-Kabir, Muhammad bin Sanjar in his Musnad, and Ibn Shabba in Akhbaar al-Madinah: Through Nafi’, the freed slave of Hamnah, from Umm Qays bint Mihsan (sister of Okasha), who said: “I went out with the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) to Baqi’…”
The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said: “From this graveyard, seventy thousand will be resurrected who will enter Paradise without reckoning, their faces shining like the full moon.”
A man stood and asked: “O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), am I among them?”
He replied: “Yes, you are.”
Another man asked: “O Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), am I among them?”
He said: “Okasha has preceded you in this.”
Umm Qays said: “I wondered why he didn’t include the second man, then realized he must have been a hypocrite.”
Ref: https://shamela.ws/book/95695/83
From the book “al-Ta’reef bima Anasat al-Hijra”:
The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said: “Two graveyards illuminate for the people of heaven as the sun and moon illuminate for the people of earth: Baqi, the graveyard of Medina’s people, and the graveyard of Ashkelon.”