Imam al-Baqir (a): The Splitter of Knowledge

Imam Muhammad ibn ‘Ali al-Baqir (a) is the fifth Twelver, Shiite Imam known for his vast knowledge of Islamic sciences and teachings. He is known as “Baqir al-Ulum” or “the splitter of knowledge and sciences.” He was a great teacher and had many students, including his own son, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a), who would become the next Twelver Imam. He is highly respected and revered by Shia Muslims around the world. This article on Islam4u intends to discuss the life, character, and virtues of this holy Imam.

The Birth of Imam al-Baqir

Imam Muhammad ibn ‘Ali al-Baqir (a) was born in Medina on Friday Rajab 1, 57 AD, coinciding with May 10, 677 AD. His birth also coincided with a period of political turmoil in the Islamic world. The Umayyad dynasty was in power and had marginalized the descendants of Prophet Muhammad. However, his birth was seen as a sign of hope for the Shia community and a continuation of the guidance and leadership of Prophet Muhammad’s family.

The Parents of Imam al-Baqir

The father of Imam al-Baqir (a) was the fourth Twelver Shiite Imam, Imam Ali ibn al-Hussain al-Sajjad (a), titled Zayn al-‘Abidin (the beauty of worshippers). His mother was Fatima bint al-Hassan, the daughter of Imam al-Hassan al-Mujtaba (a), the second Imam of the Shia. Therefore, Imam al-Baqir (a) was a descendant of the Prophet from both grandsons of the Prophet, meaning Imam al-Hassan (a) and al-Hussain (a).

Wives and Children

Imam al-Baqir (a) had two wives, Umm Farwah and Umm Hakim. He had two sons from Umm Farwah, Ja‘far (the sixth Shiite Imam) and ‘Abdullah. From Umm Hakim, he had two sons named Ibrahim and ‘Ubaydullah. It is said that he had two daughters named Zainab and Umm Salamah from two of his maids.

The most distinguished son of Imam al-Baqir (a) was, without a shadow of a doubt, Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a), who became known as al-Sadiq (a). Imam al-Baqir, “the Splitter of Knowledge,” personally trained his son Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (a), and he became so knowledgeable and virtuous that when Imam al-Sadiq (a) grew up, no Shia harbored any doubt as to the imamate of Imam al-Sadiq (a) after his father was martyred.

Teknonym and Titles

Imam al-Baqir’s teknonym was Abu Ja‘far, meaning the father of Ja‘far (a). He had various titles such as “al-Baqir” (the splitter), “al-Amin” (the trustworthy), “al-Hadi” (the guide), and “al-Shakir” (the one who gives thanks).

Imam al-Baqir’s Scientific Movement

Imam al-Baqir (a) was a highly respected leader and teacher in the Shia Muslim community, known for establishing a scientific movement that reached its peak during the imamate of his son, Imam al-Sadiq (a). He was considered the leader of Banu Hashim in science, asceticism, greatness, and virtue. His narrations and hadiths in the field of religious knowledge as well as his works and traditions of the Prophet, the sciences of the Quran, the way of life, and ethics and manners, were so extensive that none of the children of Imam al-Hassan (a) and al-Hussain (a) were like that at the time.

During this era, Shia Muslims started compiling their culture – including jurisprudence, interpretation, and ethics. Before Imam al-Baqir (a), Shia jurisprudential views were limited. The weakness of the foundations of the Umayyad government provided Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a) with an opportunity that was not provided for other Imams (a). This context, as well as their tact, planning, and intelligence, caused Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a) to leave the most jurisprudential, interpretative, and moral views in their jurisprudential and hadith books. Therefore, narrators such as Muhammad bin Muslim narrated 30 thousand hadiths, and Jabir Ju‘fi narrated 70 thousand hadiths from Imam al-Baqir (a). Imam al-Baqir’s scientific fame was widespread not only in Hijaz but also in Iraq and Khorasan. As the narrator says: People from Khorasan surrounded him and asked him about their scientific problems.

Imam al-Baqir (a) Stated Many Hadiths and Narrations

Imam al-Baqir (a) is one of those Imams from whom many narrations and hadiths have been stated. The bulk of Shia hadith lends itself to the hadiths that have been transmitted to us through Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a). Imam al-Baqir (a) was a highly respected leader and teacher in the Shia Muslim community, known for his strong emphasis on the importance of hadiths from the Noble Prophet (s). One of his students, Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ju‘fi, reportedly narrated 70,000 hadiths from the Noble Prophet.

His holiness not only emphasized the importance of spreading these hadiths but also encouraged his followers to truly understand and familiarize themselves with their meanings. He believed that knowledge of the hadiths, both in their narration and understanding, was crucial for achieving the highest levels of faith. He urged his companions to strive to increase their knowledge and understanding of the Ahlul Bait‘s hadiths and said that the level of faith of his Shiite followers could be determined by their knowledge of these hadiths.

The Duration of Imam al-Baqir’s Imamate

Imam al-Baqir (a) succeeded his father, Imam al-Sajjad (a) as the Imam in the year 95 AH after his father’s martyrdom. His father held him in high regard, and when asked why, he said, “This is because the imamate will continue through his descendants, lasting until the day when our Qaim rises and fills the world with justice. Therefore, he is both an Imam and the father of Imams.” The duration of Imam al-Baqir’s imamate was nineteen years.

Companions and Students of Imam al-Baqir (a)

The number of companions and students of Imam al-Baqir (a) who narrated hadiths from him varies in different sources, with estimates ranging from 462 men and two women, according to Sheikh Tusi, 477, according Baqir Sharif al-Qarashi, and 654 people, according to Azizullah Atarudi. Six of these companions, Zurarah ibn A’yun, Ma’ruf ibn Kharrabudh, Burayd ibn Mu’awiya, Fudayl ibn Yasar, Muhammad ibn Muslim, and Abu Basir Asadi, are considered companions of ijma’ (اجماع), meaning their authority is well-established among Shia narrators of hadith. Shia scholars consider these six individuals as the best jurists of early Islam among the companions of Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a). Some companions and students of Imam al-Baqir (a) are trusted by both Sunnis and the Imamiyyah (i.e., Twelvers Shiites). In contrast, others are trusted only by the Imamiyyah due to their Shia tendencies.

Martyrdom

Imam al-Baqir (a) was martyred during the caliphate of Hisham bin Abd al-Mulk on Dhil Hijjah 7, 114 AH. It is said so because Hisham was the caliph from 105 to 125 AH, and the last year that historians have determined the martyrdom of Imam al-Baqir (a) is 118 AH. There are different reports about the person or persons involved in his murder. Some sources have identified Hisham bin Abdul Malik as the one who martyred him. In contrast, some have identified Ibrahim bin Waleed as the one who poisoned him.

After his martyrdom, Imam al-Baqir (a) made a will to be buried in the clothes in which he had prayed. He was buried in al-Baqi cemetery, next to the graves of his father Imam al-Sajjad (a), and his father’s uncle Imam al-Hassan (a). The Imam made a will that they hold mourning ceremonies for him in Mina during Hajj for ten years.

A Few Hadiths by Imam al-Baqir (a)

1. How many individuals have been driven by greed for worldly matters, ultimately leading to their downfall and misery, while others have disliked certain affairs of the hereafter yet ultimately found happiness in achieving them. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 75, p. 166)

2. Learn the good word from anyone, even if he does not act on it. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 75, p. 170)

3. Nothing has been mixed with something else better than forbearance with knowledge. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 75, p. 172)

4. Achieving ultimate perfection requires an understanding of one’s religion, patience during difficult times, and being measured in how one spends one’s life. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 75, p. 172)

5. A scientist whom others benefit from his knowledge is better than seventy thousand worshippers. (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 75, p. 173)

Conclusion

Imam al-Baqir (a) was the fifth Twelver Shiite Imam and a prominent figure in early Islamic history. He played an important role in the development of Shia Islam. He was a respected religious leader and teacher who left a lasting impact on his followers through his teachings, knowledge, and wisdom. He was martyred for his firm beliefs and actions, and his legacy continues to be honored and remembered by many to this day. Imam al-Baqir (a) was a great leader who dedicated his life to the service of the community, and his legacy continues to inspire many. His teachings and guidance on religious and moral issues have been passed down through the generations and continue to be studied and followed. The study of his life, teachings, and legacy is crucial to understanding the early development of Shia Islam and the history of Islamic thought.