5th Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as)
| Name | Hazrat Muhammad Ibn Ali (as) |
| Father | Imam Sajjad (as) |
| Mother | Fatimah binte Imam Hasan (as) (Ummo Abdillah) |
| Date of Birth | 1st Rajab, 57 A.H. |
| Place of Birth | Madinah Munawwarah |
| Kuniyyat | Abu Ja'far |
| Titles | Ameen, Haadi, Saabir, Shaahid, Baqir, etc. |
| Age | 57 years |
| Martyrdom | 7th Zilhijja, 114 A.H. |
| Buried | Jannatul Baqi, Madinah Munawwarah |
On Friday, the 1st of Rajab, 57 A.H., in the family of Imam Sajjad (as), from his wife Ummo Abdillah (daughter of Imam Hasan Mujtaba (as)), a son was born who was named Muhammad. This dear child was for some time witnessed his grandfather Imam Husain (as), was present in the event of Karbala at the age of about 4 years, and in his childhood witnessed the heart-rending event. Together with the other children, he was dragged from one place to another as captive in the hands of Yazid's agents, with the caravan moving from Kufa to Syria.
He lived for 34 years during the Imamate of his father, Imam Sajjad (as), and after his demise, attained Imamate in the year 95 A.H. He was in charge of Shia leadership for 19 years.
Years before his birth, when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was talking to his famous companion, Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari about his successors, told him that the fifth of them bears my name and is from the lineage of Husain. Divine Destiny extended the age of Jabir and at long last the foretelling of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) turned to reality and he conveyed the message to Imam Baqir (as).
"(Imam Baqir) who is like his beloved grandfather (Holy Prophet) (s.a.w.a.), the splitter of My knowledge and the mine of My wisdom."
— Hadees-e-Lauh'Baqir' literally means 'splitter' and various sciences appeared in the time of this Imam. Hence the title was given to the Imam. This was the same title bestowed upon him by the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) long before his birth and while explaining the word to Jabir, he said: "He will split up the knowledge of Prophets extensively."
During his Imamate which was the time of the downfall of the government of Bani Umayyah, the caliphs included Walid Ibn Abdul Malik, Sulaiman Ibn Abdul Malik, Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz, Yazid Ibn Abdul Malik and Hisham Ibn Abdul Malik. Since many movements arose against these oppressive rulers, the government was gradually drawn towards its downfall. As a result, most of the ruling power was utilized in silencing revolts and to a large extent, the government was unable to harass Imam (as).
These times became the perfect opportunity for compilation and giving shape to the foundation and principles of religion. A number of students from all over the Islamic world gathered around the Imam (as) in Madinah and derived benefit from his wisdom and knowledge. Jabir Ibn Yazid Ju'fi says: "I have heard more than 70,000 traditions from the Imam that none except him has narrated." Muhammad Ibn Muslim, a distinguished companion of Imam (as) also says: "Whatever problems that had arisen, I sought the opinion of Imam about them so much so that I heard over 30,000 traditions from him." This resulted in the establishment of a great centre of learning in Madinah.
Imam (as) initiated the way for countering the misleading philosophical concepts that were adopting Islamic colour. Young students of Imam (as) gained universal fame in the vast Islamic territories. Today, Shia texts are full of explanations given by Imam Baqir (as).
Once when the governor of Madinah was ordered to send the Imam (as) to Damascus under custody, he refused and wrote to the caliph:
"Surely (as to) the person you have asked for, there is none on the face of this earth today as forgiving, ascetic and pious as him. He is the most learned, most wise and the most devoted of people in the matter of worship and striving. I think it improper on the part of the Caliph to commit aggression against him."
— Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 46In his personal life, he was sanctified with special virtues. As far as possible, he worked personally to fulfill his own needs. Once at an advanced age, he was seen toiling in the field. A person addressed him: why are you working so hard for this material world? Imam (as.) replied:
"By Allah, I render myself independent of you and others (like you). I fear death only at the time when I am disobeying Allah."
— Alaamul Waraa, p. 263On one occasion when Hisham Ibn Abdul Malik had ordered the Imam to be forcibly brought to Damascus, Imam (as.) entered his palace in the Islamic manner (not in official court etiquette) and after offering salaam to the audience, he took a seat in a corner. When Hisham tried to humiliate Imam (as.) branding his family as factors of discord and disunity, Imam (as.) spoke categorically defending the dignity of the Holy household of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.), stunning everyone in the hall.
In another incident, Hisham compelled the aged Imam (as.) to shoot at the archery ground, hoping to show off. Unexpectedly, Imam (as.) held the bow and shot 9 arrows straight at the target one after the other, each piercing through the tail of the earlier one. When asked where he had mastered such skills, Imam replied: "This is from our childhood in Madinah."
Among the contemporary caliphs of Imam (as.), Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz was comparatively soft in his behavior. He amicably maintained the sanctity of Imam (as.) and once asked him for advice. Imam (as.) in a lucid and brief statement taught him the manners of an Islamic ruler:
"I recommend you to adopt the Muslim children as your own. Treat young Muslims like your own brothers. Consider the aged Muslims like your own father. Therefore, be grateful to your child, be bound to your brother and do good to your father. In case you begin to do a good and desirable deed, develop and continue it."
— Al-Muhammad al-Baqir, p. 43"The death of a scholar is much dearer to the Shaitan than the dying of 70 worshippers."
— Ayaanush Shia, vol. 4, part II, p. 20"Surely the most miserable of men on Judgement Day will be the one who commands justice but resorts to cruelty and excesses."
— Ayaanush Shia, vol. 4, part II, p. 24Finally on Monday, the 7th of Zilhijja in the year 114 A.H., Imam (as.) was poisoned on the direction of Ibrahim Ibn Walid Ibn Abdul Malik and he departed from this world at the age of 57. He, like his father and ancestor (Imam Hasan (as.)), was buried in the Baqi graveyard. Even today, his grave, next to the shrine of his father, his ancestor and children in the Baqi cemetery, is the shrine for thousands of devotees of monotheism, justice and knowledge.