Imam Abu Ja'far Muhammad al-Baqir ibn Ali (676 – 732) (57 -114 A.H.)<ref>Kitab al Irshad (The Book of Guidance),By Sheikh al Mufid</ref>was the fifth Imam of "twelver" Shi'as and he was born on the 1st of the month of Rajab, 57th Hijra, in the city of Medina. Because of the resemblance that he had with his grandfather he was named Mohammad and because of that he analyzed the knowledge and made manifest its secrets, he became known with the title of "Baqir".

His father was Ali ibn Husayn and mother Fatima binte Hassan (who was one of the daughters of Imam Hassan ibn Ali). He was the first Imam whose lineage ascended and reached the Islamic Prophet Mohammed both from the paternal and maternal sides. His life history can be divided into two parts.

1. The period before his Imamate which is nearly 35 years and was the peaceful part of his life, led in Medina.

2. The Period of Imamate, which stretched, up to twenty years and is counted as the duration of the propagation and dissemination of Islamic knowledge and wisdom.

1 The Salient Features of Mohammad Baqir's Character
2 The Knowledge Status of Mohammad al-Baqir (A.S.)
3 Jabbir faces Imam Mohammad al-Baqir (A.S.)
4 The Training mode of Mohammad Baqir
5 Mohammad Baqir's Conversation with a Christian Scholar
6 In the Assembly of Hasham
7 Islamic Coins introduced by Mohammad Baqir's Order
8 The Friends of Mohammad Baqir
9 Death of Mohammad Baqir
10 See also
11 External links

[edit] The Salient Features of Mohammad Baqir's Character

Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) always put on new and clean dress. He perfumed himself and walked very comfortably, slowly and steadily. One day, some narrow minded ones criticized him saying your grandfather Ali used old and cheap clothes so why do you put on clean and new ones?

He replied, since in those days all the people were poor Ali ought to have used old clothes and simple food. But today the people are leading their lives in comfort and luxury; hence, I should not use those clothes. The act of my grandfather in those days, was according to justice and leadership and my action and way of life today is also in accordance to the (norms of) Justice and leadership.

About his manners and training, it is written that he never laughed loudly and always spoke in a calm and respectable way. He never became furious and enraged and with whosoever he met he would give him respect and shook hands with him and said, "this act (shaking hands) brings the hearts close to each other and puts an end to the enmities and hostilities."

Although Mohammad Baqir wept much during his confidential conversation with Allah, but he did not weep loudly, whenever he spoke he would start and end his talk with the name of Allah.

He had gardens and fields in abundance and large number but he himself visited them like a farmer and shared the work with the cultivator and workers, took food with them, and talked to them. He was a master who had close working relations with his servants.

Whatever agricultural products he received from his gardens and fields he would give it in the name of Allah. He fulfilled all the needs and requirements of his workers to such extent that he was one of the most generous men of his time in Hejaz.

Sheikh Mufid writes about Mohammad Baqir, "he had access to and acquaintance with all the branches of knowledge and intuitive learning. He led his life busy in the obedience of Allah. He was strong and balanced at the station of piety and rigidly honored his word, promises, and commitments. His piety, open heartedness, spiritual purity, and humanly conducts made all and sundry love him. And he trained them in Islamic ethics.

Ibne Hajar, who is a prejudiced Sunni scholar, writes about the character of Mohammad Baqir, "Imam Mohammad Baqir had a clean, pure heart. His speech and talk was harmonies and in accordance with his practice. His conduct and dealing with people was humanly and Islamic. He was a great Gnostic and unmatched worshiper. He was so very ornamented and decorated with human qualities that I do not have the means and capacity to praise him."

One of his slaves said about him, "Once I accompanied his graciousness to Mecca. When Imam sighted the Kaaba (the house of Allah), he wept so much that he got feeble and nerveless I said to him, "Why do you weep so much?"

He said, "Perhaps Allah may become kind to me because of these tears and tomorrow (on justice day) He may bless me with salvation.

Then Imam stood for his prayers and lengthened the prostration. When he picked his head up, the place of prostration was wet with tears from his eyes."

Mohammad ibne Mankadir, who was a silly pious looking person, says, "Because of this that Imam worked too hard I said to myself he is after the material and I must stop and admonish him. So one day I saw him exhausted and perspiring due to ample hard work in the hot scorching weather. I went near him, saluted him, and said, "Oh son of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed, why are you so much after the wealth of the world? If death comes to you in such a condition what would you do then?"

He said, "This is the best of my times because I work in it so that I do not become needy towards you people and others, and do not eat from the earnings of others. If Allah gives me death in this condition I will be much happy since I am busy in his prayers and obedience."

I got informed about this point and knew that I was wrong. I apologized from him, saying, "I wanted to admonish and advise you, but you admonished and informed me."

Kulayni writes, "A group of the friends of Imam stated that one day we went to his house to offer him compliments. After salutation and enquiring after his health we found the Imam very sad, pensive and afflicted. When we asked about the reason of that sorrow, we came to know that the son of Imam was very much ill. We told ourselves if this son dies what a distress would Imam have to face?

We bade farewell, and went back and on the next day returned back to enquire about the welfare of Imam. Fortunately, we saw the Imam in happy mood we told ourselves Allah has done a favor and cured the son and so Imam is happy. But then we learnt that the son had died. We enquired about the matter from him personally, as to why he was so troubled and pensive before the death but after it he was happy. Imam replied to us, "my son was ill and by virtue of human and paternal duty I was sad and uneasy and put in endeavor and efforts to get him cured and was asking Allah to get him cured. But since Allah deemed expedient that he dies and freed him off the pain and calamity, I submitted to His will and thanked Allah. We are agreed and contented upon His will and we love and like whatever he loves and wishes.

[edit] The Knowledge Status of Mohammad al-Baqir (A.S.)

Sheikh Tusi writes a man from among the Syrians visited Imam Mohammad Baqir and said, "Since you are a man of knowledge and learning your assembly is fruitful, valuable and worthy for me and so I attend your teaching session but I have enmity with you and your lineage." Imam did not reply him.

After a few days that man fell ill. Imam visited him along with his friends and sat by his bed, and enquired after his health. When the Syrian man saw this graciousness and magnanimity of the Imam he extremely repented about what he had said, and was ashamed. He did not know what response to give to the Imam.

Imam gave orders about his food, treatment to his family members and prayed for him and got up. After a short period, he was cured and left the ailment bed. Next day, he made it a point to reach the assembly of Imam and expressed repentance over what he had said and asked for apologies and became one of the permanent and everlasting friends of Imam.

[edit] Jabbir faces Imam Mohammad al-Baqir (A.S.)

Prophet Mohammed told one of his pious friends named Jabbir bin Abdullah, "Oh Jabbir! You will live and will see my son Mohammad Bin Ali Bin Al Hussain whose name in Torah (The Old Testament) is Baqir, convey my compliments (Salaam) to him."

The Islamic Prophet Mohammed died and Jabbir remained alive for long times to come. One day, he visited the house of Imam Zainul Abedin and came across a small child. He asked Ali ibn Husayn, "Whose is this child?" He replied, "He is my son Mohammad Baqir who is the Imam of the Muslims next to me."

Jabbir got up and kissed the foot of Imam and said, "My life be sacrificed upon you, oh the son of Prophet Mohammed accept the compliments (Salaam) of your grandfather the Islamic Prophet Mohammed of Allah. He conveyed his compliments through me."

Imam's eyes were filled up with tears and he said, "compliments and benediction be upon my grandfather the Prophet of Allah until the Sky and Earth are stable (firm) and upon you too, Oh Jabbir, that you conveyed his compliment to me."

[edit] The Training mode of Mohammad Baqir

Since the knowledge and wisdom of Imam like the other Imams originated from the revelation therefore, he never failed to give a response. His personality of knowledge and wisdom had so graciousness greatness grandeur and magnificence that in his assembly the scholars were like children before a teacher.

Whenever Imam sat in the session of teaching he shed the drops of knowledge and wisdom upon the hearts of his students like a saturated cloud. Every one benefited from it according to his own capacity and capability.

In the year 106 Hijra Hasham (the well known poet) went to Mecca and a group of Syrians were accompanying him. After the Hajj ritual was over, he sat in a corner of Masjid-ul-Haram to relax. Suddenly, he sighted Imam Mohammad Baqir sitting in a corner and people had surrounded him asking him questions about their problems and difficulties and listening to his response.

Hasham became furious and inflamed and sent Nafey, one of the wise men, to ask questions from Imam and according to his idea enfeeble and debilitate him, and devalue him in the eyes of the people.

The court scholar came forward, saluted and asked for his permission to make queries and interrogate him. Imam replied, "Do ask what ever you wish!"

Nafeh asked him, "What was the length of the duration of period between Islamic Prophet Isa and Islamic Prophet Mohammad. Imam said, "In our opinion Five Hundred years." Nafeh asked, "The verse of the holy Quran which says "va-as-al" "you ask". Who was the one Prophet interrogated? Imam replied, "From the Allah's eternal table, wherein all the things were present."

Nafeh asked, "From when and how long Allah has been present?"

Imam said, "Woe to you, Allah is the creator of age. He is not a body and has not been born from anything so that he might need age and time."

Nafeh was ashamed and said, "By Allah, you are the wisest man out of the people of your age."

A man asked a question from Abdullah Umar, he could not reply him so he said, "This child is Imam Mohammad Baqir go to him and describe your problem whatever response he gives come and let me know too. That man went near him and enquired and got the correct answer. Then he came to Abdullah Umar and reproduced the answer of the Imam before him.

Abdullah Umar replied, "These (men) are a family whom Allah has decorated with the ornament of knowledge and wisdom." The splendor and grandeur of the knowledge of Imam was so sublime that whosesoever there would be the talk about the Prophet's family. People said he is the sole heir of the knowledge and perfections of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed.

[edit] Mohammad Baqir's Conversation with a Christian Scholar

Jafar al Sadiq ibn Mohammad Baqir said, "one day I and my father came out of the assembly of Hasham. We happened to pass by a place where a group of Christians had come to ask questions from their scholar. We too went there to see what the affair was. We saw an old man with gray hair and gray eyebrows sitting among them. We also sat among the aggregation. The followers of Jesus Christ were sitting before him like worthless children, and were asking him questions. The old man's eye caught the sight of my father Imam Mohammad Baqir and he said, "Are you from among us or from among the followers of the Islamic Prophet Mohammad."

My father answered from among the followers of the Islamic Prophet Mohammad. He said, "Are you from among the scholars or the ignorant"? My father said, "I am not from among the ignorant." The old man said, "Shall I ask you question or you will ask me." My father said, "You question me."

The aged man was surprised. He had a look upon my father and said, "Oh servant of Allah, let me know about the time which is neither day nor night."

My father replied, "Between the dawn and the sunrise."

He asked, "From which time is it?"

My father said, "From the times (hours) of the Paradise and the ailing ones gain their senses in this hour (time) and the pains become relieved and that one who had sleepless night goes to sleep at this time.

The man said, "The people in paradise eat and drink but do not excrete anything is there any thing in the world similar to them?"

My father said, "Yes the embryo which eats in the mother womb but nothing segregates from whatever it eats."

The man said, "Let me know if there is anything in the world similar to your claim that the people in paradise eat and drink but nothing is lessened and shortened and that returns to its original shape."

My father said, "Yes it is candle that if a hundred other candles are lit by it nothing gets lessened out of it."

The Christian scholar got up from his place and said, "This man is wiser then me." When he knew that he was Imam Mohammad Baqir he embraced Islam.

[edit] In the Assembly of Hasham

Jafar al Sadiq ibn Mohammad Baqir said, "One of the years Hasham bin Abdul Malik traveled to perform Hajj. On that year, I too along with my father went to perform Hajj. I, in a congregation, said, "Praise is for the Allah who created Islamic Prophet Mohammad for the guidance of the people and made us revered and honorable by his existence. We are the selected ones of the Allah's creations and His caliphs on earth. Fortunate is the one who follows us and unfortunate is the one who opposes and has enmity with us." The brother of Hasham, who was present among the people and was regarded as one of his special spies, reported what he had heard to Hasham.

Hasham did not interrupt (molest) us in Mecca but when he reached back Syria he wrote to his representative in Medina, to send my father and me to Syria. The governor of Medina sent us to Syria. When we reached the assembly of Hasham we saw that all the Commanders had gathered over there.

Hasham himself was seated upon the throne of authority and all the Commanders were standing before him. They had placed an aim at a distant place and all of them were aiming and shooting (arrows) at it. When we arrived in the court, Hasham held my father in respect, honored him then he said, "come close and you also take part in shooting."

My father said, "I have grown old, excuse me."

Hasham swore and took oath that he would not let my father go. Obliged, my father held the bow and took aim. The arrow struck in the center of the point (aimed at). Again, he aimed another arrow at it. The arrow struck into the first arrow and split it into two and then struck the aim. He took a third arrow and took aim. The arrow struck the second arrow split it into two, and sat firm on the second place. Similarly my father continued up till the ninth arrow.

Hasham said, "That is all, Oh Abu Jafar you are the most expert of the people who shoot. Hasham was smoldering and burning in the fire of rage and had repented upon his action. Thereby, he took the decision to kill my father. And to get himself out of the condition he started saying with a glib-tongue (eloquently) "The tribe of Quraish should boast of it over the Arab and Ajam that they have got a person like you."

Hasham enquired, "From where did you learn this expertise and mastery?"

My father replied, "Allah has bestowed upon us completely every knowledge and perfection, as His favor."

Hasham was greatly enraged and inflamed with my father's words and his face glowed red with anger. He hung his head down for a moment. Then he raised his head and said, "Are we and you not from the lineage of Abdul Manaf?"

Was the Islamic Prophet Mohammad not from Abdul Manaf so that Allah sent him for the patronage of the people? From where did you inherit this knowledge?"

My father said, "we are a family of revelation and Allah has given us the specialties which he has not given to others. So that the Islamic Prophet Mohammad told secrets to his son in law Imam Ali, which he did not tell to the others. Similarly Imam Ali said in Kufa, "The Islamic Prophet Mohammad opened a thousand doors of knowledge before me, so that from each of the doors a thousand other doors are opened."

Oh Hasham, it is we who have inherited that knowledge and wisdom no other persons.

Hasham remained silent and ordered that we be sent back to Medina honorably.

[edit] Islamic Coins introduced by Mohammad Baqir's Order

In the first century Hijra the paper industry was monopolized by the Romans and when the Christians of Egypt learned from the Romans how to manufacture paper and they produced it they following suit of the Romans, marked it (currency notes) with father-son and Rooh-ul-Qudus (Holy Spirit) which was the slogan of the Christians.

When "Abdul Malik Marwan", who was an intelligent and clever man, saw the mark of the paper and its meanings, he was very annoyed as to why Egypt, which was a Muslim country, used this mark. He at once wrote to his functionary and delegates in Egypt "From now onwards you must write upon them the slogan of monotheism."

The new papers with the monotheism mark upon it was circulated and reached the cities of Rome. Caesar the King of Rome got informed about it. He wrote still other letters to Abdul Malik warning and threatening him that if he did not evade that mark he would issue orders to produce coins with abusive language about the Islamic Prophet Mohammad. When those coins would be ready there would be no honor and dignity left over for him (Abdul Malik).

Abdul Malik thought if this thing happened I would be the dirtiest of all the Muslim rulers who caused such a thing to happen."

He immediately called a meeting and consulted with the officials and dignitaries of his country for many long hours, but to no result.

One of those present said, "The way out of this difficulty and its solution is this that we ask the answer to this problem and riddle from Imam Mohammad Baqir."

Abdul Malik liked his suggestion and at once ordered his governor in Medina to send Imam honorably and respectfully to Syria, and he himself detained the delegate of Caesar in Syria till such time Imam reached Syria to solve that problem.

When Imam reached Syria they reported the matter to him so that a way is sorted out for its solution. Imam said, "Caesar has frightened you he will actually not do it. Allah will not allow him to do this work. But the solution of it is this that you get the industrialist gathered and orders them to produce a coin with the chapter (Quranic chapter of Tawhid on one face and the name of the Islamic Prophet Mohammad on the other). In this way we will not need the Roman Coins any longer. Then he gave the explanation about the weight and size of the coin. Then he said, "Engrave the name of the city where the coin is made and the year of its production upon it."

Abdul Malik materialized the orders of the Imam and sent a circular to all the Islamic cities that from, now onwards the entire business affair in the Islamic cities should take shape on the basis of the new coins, and the Roman Coins are invalid. Whosoever possesses them may change them for new Islamic coins. Then he informed the delegate of Caesar about what had been done and sent him back.

Caesar was informed about the affair. The courtiers demanded from him to materialize his threat. But he replied, "This is a futile thing to do. Because, the roman coins are no more used in the Islamic cities."

Imam by this amazing action put a constraint and checks upon the influence of imperialism and the plans of the imperialists of that day.

[edit] The Friends of Mohammad Baqir

Since Imam was living in an age where in the Marwani Caliphs were busy with their own affairs and they were spending their time in a struggle against Banu Abbas, therefore, more chances and possibilities of the propagation of Islamic learning's got available for him. Imam started laying the foundations of educational and research assemblies and trained students of his school of thought, each one of whom was unmatched and incomparable.

A number of them consisted of:

1. Abbas ibne Talib: Who had been present in the office and company of Jafar al Sadiq, and was counted to be one of the important personalities of knowledge and learning and was an authority over the jurisprudence, exegesis, Hadith, and language. To the extent that Imam said "Oh Abbas sit in the mosque of Medina and pronounce judgments to the people.

2. Zurara: This person had been present before Imam Mohammad Baqir and Imam Sadiq and he had ample expertise in the fields of Hadith, Jurisprudence, and Shiite leanings. So that Imam Sadiq said about him "If Zurara and his companions were not there the effects of the Prophets would have finished (ceased to exist).

3. Kumait Asadi: He was an expert and capable poet and he was unparallel and unmatched regarding the language and literature and the statement of facts and criticizing the cruel and brutal rulers. He used to stand up to the defense of Ahl al Bayt by virtue of his language, which was in the mould of beautiful and attractive verses. Sometimes he was threatened to be slain by the usurper rulers. In the age of Banu Umayyad it was very dangerous and perilous to state the effects and virtues of Ahl al Bayt. But this freedom-loving poet had bought all the risks and dangers at the cost of his life, for the sake of Ahl al Bayt.

Kumait was the enamored and infatuated of Imam Mohammad Baqir. One day, he recited a number of nice rhymes before the Imam, so Imam turned his face towards Kaaba and said, "Oh Allah do bless Kumait."

4. Mohammad Bin Muslim: Who was titled as the "jurisprudent of Ahl al Bayt” was one of the true friends of Imam Mohammad Baqir and Imam Sadiq. He was one of those about whom Imam Sadiq said, "The knowledge and learning of Ahl al Bayt remained living and was established through him.

[edit] Death of Mohammad Baqir

Imam Mohammad Baqir after years of troubles, grief's, labor, and service to the Islamic culture was poisoned and martyred by the order of Hasham on the 7th of Zil Hijjah 114 Hijra (732)at the age of 57 years. His pure and sublime body was buried beside the graves of other Imams in the graveyard of Baqi.