Imam Muhammad b. Ali al-Baqir (a): Difference between revisions

| bodyclass = vcard

| above = Muhammad b. 'Ali al-Baqir<br /> <small>[[List of Imams|5th]] [[Imam]] of the [[Shi'a]]</small>

| image = [[file:بقیع10.jpg|280px|frameless|center]]

|caption = [[Jannat al-Baqi']], [[Arabia]]

| header2 =

| header3 =

|label4 = Born

|data4 = {{Circa}} [[May 13]], 677 CE <br> ([[Rajab 1]], [[57]] AH)

|label5 = Birthplace

|data5 = [[Medina]], [[Arabia]]

|label6 = Imamate

|data6 = [[25 Muharram]], [[95]]/[[24 October]], 713

|label8 = Martyrdom

|data8 = {{Circa}} {{Death date and age|733|2|1|677|5|13|df=yes}} <br> ([[Dhu l-Hijja 7]], [[114]] AH)

|label9 = Deathplace

|data9 = [[Medina]], [[Arabia]]

|label10 = Cause of Death

|data10 = Death by poisoning

|label11 = Place of Burial

|data11 = [[Jannat al-Baqi']], [[Arabia]], <br>{{Coord|24|28|1|N|39|36|50.21|E|type:landmark|display=inline}}

|label12 = Predecessor

|data12 = [['Ali b. al-Husayn]]

|label12 = Successor

|data12 = [[Ja'far b. Muhammad]]

|label13 = Father

|data13 = [['Ali b. al-Husayn]]

|label14 = Mother

|data14 = [[Fatima bt. al-Hasan]]

|label15 = Brother(s)

|data15 =

|label16 = Sister(s)

|data16 =

|label17 = Spouse(s)

|data17 = [[Umm Farwa bt. Qasim b. Muhammad|Umm Farwa]], [[Umm Hakim bt. Usayd al-Thaqafi|Umm Hakim]]

|label18 = Son(s)

|data18 = [[Imam al-Sadiq|Ja'far]], Ibrahim, 'Ali, 'Abd Allah, 'Ubayd Allah

|label19 = Daughter(s)

|data19 = Zaynab, Umm Salama

|label20 =

|data20 =

|label21 = Other Titles

|data21 = Al-Baqir <small>(the Revealer)</small>

'''Muḥammad b. ʿAlī b. al-Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī b. ʾAbī Ṭālib''' (Arabic: محمد بن علي بن حسین بن علي بن أبي طالب) (b. [[57]]/677 – d. [[114]]/733) known as ʾImām al-Bāqir (a) was the fifth Imam of the [[Shi'a]] school of thought, whose period of [[Imamate]] lasted nineteen years.

The period of the imamate of Imam al-Baqir (a) was contemporary with the weakening of the [[Umayyad]] government and the struggle among them for power. In this period, Imam al-Baqir (a) made a great scientific movement which reached its peak at the time of his son [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]]. He (a) was greater than anyone in knowledge, piety, grandeur, and merits. His narrations in religion, [[conduct of the Prophet (s)]], [[Qur'an sciences]], moral conduct, and manner is more than what is remained from the children of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]]. Thus, during his [[imamate]], a great step was taken towards organization of Shi'i thought in different fields including [[ethics]], [[fiqh]], [[Kalam]], [[Tafsir]], etc.

== Lineage==

Muhammad b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. Abi Talib, known as Imam al-Baqir (a) was the fifth [[Imam]] of the [[Shi'a]] faith, son of [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]], the fourth Imam of the Shi'a faith. His mother was [[Fatima bt. al-Hasan (a)|Umm 'Abd Allah]], daughter of [[Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a)]].<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', Vol. 2, P. 155</ref>

 

Imam al-Baqir (a) was the first [[Hashemite]] who was born to a Hashemite father and mother, also his lineage from both his parents reached [[Imam 'Ali (a)]].<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', Vol. 2, P. 158</ref>

 

His titles were, al-Shakir (the thankful to God), al-Hadi (the guide), and al-Baqir, the latter of which is his most famous title. The meaning of "al-Baqir" is "splitter." [[Ibn Wadih al-Ya'qubi|Al-Ya'qubi]] wrote that, "He (a) was named al-Baqir since he split knowledge."<ref>Al-Ya'qubi, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', Vol. 2, P. 289</ref> His famous kunya is Abu Ja'far. In hadith references, he (a) is mostly referred to as Abu Ja'far al-Awwal.

== Birth and Martyrdom ==

Imam al-Baqir (a) was born on [[Friday]] [[Rajab 1]], [[57]]/[[May 13]], 677 in [[Medina]]. Some have reported his birth to have been on [[Safar 3]]/[[December 19]] of the same year (57/676)<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', Vol. 46, P. 212</ref>. He was a small child and present in the [[Event of Karbala]]<ref>Al-Ya'qubi, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', Vol. 2, P. 289</ref>.

[[File:Al-Baqi' before being demolished.jpg|300px|thumb|The historical dome of [[Imams of al-Baqi']] which was destroyed by [[Wahhabism|Wahhabis]] in 1925. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a) is one of the four Shi'a Imams buried here.]]

Imam al-Baqir (a) passed away on [[Dhu l-Hijjah 7]], [[114]]/[[February 1]], 733<ref>Al-Nawbakhti, ''Firaq al-Shi'a'', P. 61</ref>. There are other opinions about the year of his demise.

There are different narrations and historical opinions regarding the person who martyred Imam al-Baqir (a). Some sources have mentioned [[Hisham b. Abd al-Malik]] as the one who martyred him<ref>Al-Kaf'ami, ''al-Misbah'', P. 691</ref>. Some have accused Ibrahim b. al-Walid as the person who poisoned the Imam (a)<ref>Al-Tabari, ''Dala'il al-imama'', P. 216; Ibn Shahrashub, ''al-Manaqib'', Vol. 4, P. 228</ref>. Some narrations have considered [[Zayd b. al-Hasan]] as the person who facilitated the plot for martyring the Imam (a). In either case, Imam al-Baqir (a) was martyred during the caliphate of Hisham b. 'Abd al-Malik<ref>Al-Ya'qubi, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', Vol. 2, P. 289</ref>, because his caliphate was from 108/726-727 until 125/742-743 and the last year ever mentioned for the martyrdom of Imam al-Baqir (a) is 118/736.

Although the reports are seemingly different, it is not impossible that they could all be correct to a certain degree. There lies a possibility that several people cooperated in the martyrdom of Imam al-Baqir (a), as the reports refer to each of them. Regarding the violent behavior of Hisham b. 'Abd al-Malik towards Imam al-Baqir (a) and the undeniable enmity of [[Umayyads]] with Imam Ali's (a) descendants, there is no doubt that Hisham had strong motivation to play a role in the martyrdom of Imam al-Baqir (a) even if it were indirectly. Clearly, to have made his plot materialize, Hisham would have used trustworthy people. Therefore, he employed Ibrahim b. al-Walid who was an Umayyad and an enemy of the [[Ahl al-bayt (a)]], who could use a person who could easily enter the home of Imam al-Baqir (a). Through him, the scheming plot of Hisham unfolded and Imam (a) was martyred.

Imam al-Baqir (a) was buried beside [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)|his father]]'s grave and the grave of [[al-Hasan b. 'Ali (a)]], his father's uncle, in [[Al-Baqi' Cemetery]]<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', Vol. 2, P. 158; al-Tabari, ''Dala'il al-imama'', P. 216; Ibn al-jawzi, ''Tazkirat al-khawas'', P. 306</ref>.

== Wives and Children ==

{{Shi'a-Vertical}}

In narrations, [[Umm Farwa bt. Qasim b. Muhammad|Umm Farwa]] is mentioned as the wife of Imam al-Baqir (a), who was the mother of [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]]. Also narrations mention another woman called [[Umm Hakim bt. Usayd al-Thaqafi|Umm Hakim]], daughter of Usayd al-Thaqafi as a wife of Imam (a), who was the mother of two of the Imam's (a) children and another wife of Imam (a) who was a concubine and the mother of three other children of Imam (a)<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', Vol. 2, P. 524</ref>.

# 'Abd Allah: the mother of these two was Umm Farwa, daughter of Qasim b. Muhammad.

# Ibrahim

# 'Ubayd Allah: the mother of him and Ibrahim was Umm Hakim, daughter of Usayd al-Thaqafi. No children remained from these two sons.

# Zaynab: the mohter of the these two was a concubine.

# Umm Salama: the mother of whom, was a concubine.<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', Vol. 2, P. 524</ref>

== Imamate ==

Imam al-Baqir (a) became the Imam in [[95]]/713 after [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)|his father]] was martyred and had the responsibility of leading the [[Shi'a]] until his martyrdom in [[114]]/733 (or [[117]]/735).

=== Proofs of Imamate ===

[[Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari]] narrated, in his response to a question about [[Imam]]s after [[Imam 'Ali (a)]], the [[Prophet (s)]] said, "[[al-Hasan (a)]] and [[al-Husayn (a)]], the two Masters of the Youths of Paradise, then the Master of Worshippers of his time [['Ali b. al-Husayn (a)]], then al-Baqir, Muhammad b. 'Ali (a), whom you will see, O Jabir..."<ref>Al-Qumi al-Razi, ''Kifayat al-athar'', PP.144-5</ref>

Also, Imam al-Sajjad (a) frequently attracted attention towards his son, Imam Baqir (a). For example, when his other son 'Umar asked him about why Imam al-Sajjad (a) paid more attention to Imam al-Baqir (a), Imam (a) answered, "It is because the imamate will remain in his descendants until the day [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)|our Upriser]] rises and will fill the world with justice and equality. So, he [al-Baqir] is both Imam and the father of Imams (a)."<ref>Al-Qumi al-Razi, ''Kifayat al-athar'', P. 237</ref>

[[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] said Imam al-Baqir (a) was superior to all his brothers in knowledge, piety, and dignity. He had a higher position in relation to his siblings. Everyone praised him with glory and he was respected by the Shuuni and Shi'a scholars. He (a) had knowledge of religion, the [[Qur'an]], ethics, and morals to such a great extent, that even these had not been formerly taught by any of the children of al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a). The rest of the [[companions of the Prophet (s)]], noble ones among the [[Tabi'un|Followers]], and highest ranking of fiqh scholars have narrated from him. His position in merits and nobility reached a level of being exemplary among the people of knowledge. They wrote works and composed poems to praise his personality<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', Vol. 2, P. 157</ref>.

=== Contemporary Rulers ===

# [[Al-Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik]] (86/705 – 96/714-715)

# [[Sulayman b. 'Abd al-Malik]] (96/714-715 - 99/717-718)

# [['Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz]] (99/717-718 - 101/719-720)

# [[Yazid b. 'Abd al-Malik]] (101/719-720 -105/723-724)

# [[Hisham b. 'Abd al-Malik]] (105/723-724 - 125/742-743)

From 94/712-713 to 114/732-732, there was a period of different schools of [[fiqh]] emerging and narrating many hadiths about [[Tafsir]]. This was because of the weakening of the [[Umayyad]] government and the conflicts among statesmen over power. [[Sunni]] scholars, Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri, Makhul al-Shami, Hisham b. 'Urwa, etc. were active in narrating hadiths and issuing [[Fatwa]], and other groups tried to spread their own beliefs such as [[Khawarij]], [[Murji'a]], [[Kaysaniyya]], and [[Ghulat]].

In this period, Imam al-Baqir (a) made a great scientific movement which reached its peak at the time of his son, [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]]. He (a) was superior to all nobles of [[Banu Hashim]] in knowledge, piety, dignity, and merits. His narrations in religion, [[conduct of the Prophet (s)]], [[Qur'an sciences]], moral conduct, and manners are more than what remained from the children of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] until then<ref>Al-Mufid, ''al-Irshad'', Vol. 2, P. 507</ref>.

Before Imam al-Baqir Shi'a viewpoint were clear only in a few fiqh issues, but there was a great step taken after Imam al-Baqir (a) and an admirable cultural movement emerged from the Shi'a. It was in this age that the Shi'a school of thought began establishing its culture which included [[fiqh]], [[tafsir]], and [[ethics]].

Imam al-Baqir (a) strongly rejected reasoning of the followers of analogy (Qiyas) in Fiqh<ref>Al-Hurr al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', Vol. 18, P. 39</ref> and took sharp stances against other Islamic sects and this way tried to separate the authentic ideological domain of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] in different fields from other sects. Regarding Khawarij, he (a) said, "Khawarij suffered out of ignorance; while religion is more lenient and flexible than how they know it."<ref>Al-Shaykh al-Tusi, ''al-Tahdhib'', Vol. 1, P. 241</ref>

The scientific fame of Imam al-Baqir (a) was not only known in [[Hijaz]] but also had spread in [[Iraq]] and [[Khurasan]], there is even a report saying about the Imam (a), "I saw people of [[Khurasan]] had circled around him and asked him their scientific questions."<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', Vol. 46, P. 357</ref>

Imam al-Baqir (a) had dedicated a part of his time to explain tafsir issues, by holding tafsir sessions and answering the questions of scholars and other people. It is said that Imam al-Baqir (a) wrote a book in [[Tafsir]] of the [[Qur'an]] which Ibn Nadim has mentioned in his ''al-Fihrist''.<ref>Ibn Nadim, ''al-Fihrist'', P. 59; Al-Sharif al-Qurashi, Baqir, ''Hayat al-Imam Muhammad al-Baqir'', Vol. 1, P. 174</ref>

Imam (a) considered the knowledge of the Qur'an only held by the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]], since it is only they who can distinguish the [[Muhkamat|clear issues]] in the Qur'an from [[Mutashabihat|unclear ones]] and the [[Nasikh|abrogating]] from the [[Mansukh|abrogated]]. Such power is not held by anyone other than the Ahl al-Bayt (a) and thus Imam al-Baqir (a) said, "Nothing is farther than Tafsir of the Qur'an from the reason of people; since, a [[verse]] which is a cohesive speech, the beginning of which happens to be about one issue and the end of it about another issue and this cohesive speech is interpreted from different aspects."<ref>Group of authors, ''Pishwayan-i hidayat'', P. 320</ref>

Imam al-Baqir (a) paid particular attention to [[hadith|hadiths]] (or traditions) from the [[Prophet (s)]] to the extent that [[Jabir b. Yazid al-Ju'fi]] narrated 70,000 traditions from the noble Prophet (s) from him (a). Also, [[Aban b. Taghlib]] and other students of Imam al-Baqir (a) narrated a great number of this tremendous legacy from the Imam (a).

Imam al-Baqir (a) did not suffice to only narrating and spreading traditions, but he (a) also encouraged his companions to strive in understanding traditions and learning their meanings. In a statement, he (a) said:

 

::"Know the levels of our [[Shi'a]] by the number of hadiths from the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] they narrate and their knowledge to them, which is the knowledge to hadith ([[Dirayat al-Hadith]]); and it is through understanding of hadiths that the faithful reach highest levels of faith."<ref>Al-Sharif al-Qurashi, ''Hayat al-Imam Muhammad al-Baqir'', Vol. 1, PP. 140-1</ref>

At the time of Imam al-Baqir (a), the emerging foundations and expression of different beliefs and thoughts were rife, due to opportunity and the lack of pressure and control by the government; this caused deviant thoughts in society. In this situation, Imam al-Baqir (a) had to announce authentic Islamic beliefs, denounce and reject false beliefs, and answer related questions. Therefore, he (a) held his theological discussions with the direction towards the mentioned issues. Among such issues was the inability of human intellect from understanding the truth of [[God]]<ref>Al-Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', Vol. 1, P. 82</ref>, eternal existence of the [[Necessary Existent]]<ref>Al-Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', PP.88-9</ref>, and the necessity of obedience of Imam<ref>Al-Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', Vol. 1, P. 185</ref>.

Other legacies left behind by Imam al-Baqir (a) are jurisprudential<ref>Group of authors, ''Pishwayan-i hidayat'', Vol. 7, PP.341-7</ref> and historical legacies<ref>Group of authors, ''Pishwayan-i hidayat'', Vol. 7, PP.330-4</ref>.

=== Debates ===

* [[Imam al-Baqir's (a) Debate with Christians' Bishop|Debate with Christians' bishop]]

=== Fighting with Israelites [Beliefs Imported in Islam] ===

Jews were among the present groups in society at the time of Imam al-Baqir (a) and they had a deep influence over the culture at that time. Some of the Jewish scholars pretended to become Muslims and others remained openly Jewish. Their influence spread in the Islamic society and thus, they became the authorities of some simple-minded people. Imam's (a) reaction included fighting with the Jews and their malicious instigation in Islamic culture, and renouncing their invented false hadiths about divine [[prophet|prophets]] (a) or issues which tarnished the true face of the Prophets (a). Below is an example:

::[[Zurara b. A'yan]] narrated that, "I was sitting before Imam al-Baqir (a) while he (a) was facing [[Ka'ba]], he said, 'Looking at the Ka'ba is an act of worship.' At that time, a man called 'Asim b. 'Umar came to Imam (a) and said [[Ka'b al-Ahbar]] says, 'Every morning, Ka'ba prostrates towards [[Jerusalem]].' Imam (a) said, 'What do you think about the opinion of Ka'b al-Ahbar?' The man answered, 'His talk is right.' Imam al-Baqir (a) said, 'You and Ka'b al-Ahbar are both incorrect,' then angrily said, '[[God]] has not created a monument more beloved than Ka'ba on earth".<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', Vol. 46, P. 354</ref>

== Companions and Students ==

The situation at that time prepared a foundation that Imam al-Baqir (a) and [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] benefitted highly from. That opportune situation was the result of weakness of the [[Umayyad]] government. Internal crises of their political system did not allow the rulers to suppress the voices of [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] and isolate them as previous rulers had done. This situation helped Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a) to give jurisprudential, tafsir-related, ethical opinions in [[fiqh]] and [[hadith]] books.

This enabled personalities such as, [[Muhammad b. Muslim]] to narrate 30,000 hadiths<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 11, P. 83</ref> and [[Jabir b. Yazid al-Ju'fi]] narrated 70,000 hadiths from Imam al-Baqir (a).

From the viewpoint of Shi'a scholars, the most prominent fiqh scholars of the beginning centuries of Islam were six people who were all companions of Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a): Zurara b. A'yan, [[Ma'ruf b. Kharrabudh al-Makki]], [[Abu Basir al-Asadi]], [[Fudayl b. Yasar al-Basri]], Muhammad b. Muslim and [[Burayd b. Mu'awiya al-'Ijli]].<ref>Ibn Shahrashub, ''al-Manaqib'', Vol. 4, P. 211</ref>

In his book about [[Rijal]], [[al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] counted companions of Imam al-Baqir (a) and people who narrated from him as 462 men and two women.

However, there should be no claim that Imam al-Baqir (a) was free from restrictions which governments imposed on the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]; rather, undoubtedly the ruling atmosphere of the life of Imam al-Baqir (a) was in a state of [[Taqiyya]]. At that point, culture was inflicted upon the society as a result of the ruling of unjust governments. Leaving Taqiyya meant abandoning scientific activities and preaching principle teachings of religion.

== In the Views of Scholars ==

Imam al-Baqir's (a) personality was not only outstanding in the views of the [[Shi'a]] but in the views of Sunni scholars he (a) was a unique personality too. Below, some examples are mentioned:

[[Ibn Hajar al-Haytami]] wrote, "Abu Ja'far Muhammad al-Baqir (a) had disclosed so many hidden treasures of sciences, truth behind rulings, and points of wisdom that are not hidden except to ignorant or ill-wishers and thus they have called him Baqir al-'ilm [splitter of knowledge]. He is a great source and the one who establishes knowledge. He (a) spent his life in worship of God and in the ranks of mystics, he reached a status beyond description. He (a) has many words in the journey towards [[God]] and Islamic teachings"<ref>Ibn Hajar, ''al-Sawa'iq al-muhriqa, P. 201</ref>

About Imam al-Baqir (a), [[al-Dhahabi]] wrote, "He (a) is among those who have gathered knowledge, its observation, dignity, honor, reliability, serenity and he (a) was competent for [[caliphate]]".<ref>Al-Dhahabi, ''Siyar a'lam al-nubala''', Vol. 4, P. 402</ref>

{{notes}}

{{References}}

* Group of Authors. 1385 sh. ''Pishwayan-i Hidayat, Vol. 7 (Shikafandiy-i 'ulum, hadrat Imam al-Baqir (a))'', Trans. * Al-Kaf'ami, Taqi al-Din Ibrahim b. 'Ali. 1414 AH/1994. ''Al-Misbah''. Beirut: Mu'assisa al-A'lami li l-Matbu'at.

* Ibn Shahrashub, Abu Ja'far Muhammad. 1421 AH/1379 sh. ''Manaqib Al Abi Talib''. Dhawi l-Qurba.