Muhammad al-Baqir

Muhammad al-Baqir (Arabic: ‫)ُمَح َّمد ٱْل َب اِق ر‬, with the full name Muhammad ibn
Muhammad al-Baqir

'Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, also known as Abu Jafar or simply al-
Baqir (lit. 'the one who opens knowledge') was the fifth Imam in Shia Islam, ‫ُم َح َّمد ٱْل َب اِق ر‬
succeeding his father, Zayn al-Abidin, and succeeded by his son, Jafar al-Sadiq. His Fifth Imam of the Twelver and Ismaili
mother, Fatima Umm Abd Allah, was the daughter of Hasan, making al-Baqir the first Shia
Imam who descended from both grandsons of Muhammad, namely, Hasan and ‫ُم َح َّمد ْبن َعِلّي ٱْل َب اِق ر‬
Husayn.[4]

Al-Baqir was born in Medina, about the time when Mu'awiya I (r.  661–680) was
working to secure the succession of his son, Yazid. As a child, al-Baqir witnessed the
tragedy of Karbala, in which all of his male relatives were massacred, except his father
who was too ill to participate in the fighting. As a young man, al-Baqir witnessed the
power struggles between the Umayyads, Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, and various Shia
groups, while his father resigned from political activities.[5]

Al-Baqir is revered by both Shia and Sunni Muslims as an eminent expert in

jurisprudence, the exegesis of the Quran, the science of hadith, and theology.[6]
Though he was a resident of Medina, his main following was in Kufa, Iraq, where he
attracted a number of distinguished theologians.[7] Al-Baqir is credited with laying the Arabic text with the name of Muhammad
foundations of Twelver Shia, including a coherent theory of imamate, which was ibn Ali and one of his titles, "Al-Baqir"
further developed by his son and successor, Jafar al-Sadiq.[4] Like his father, al-Baqir
Born 10 May 676
adopted a policy of quiescence,[8] and reportedly attempted to dissuade his half-
01 Rajab 57 AH
brother, Zayd, from prematurely revolting against the Umayyads.[9][8]
Medina, Umayyad Empire
According to Tabatabai, al-Baqir was poisoned by Ibrahim ibn al-Walld, during his Died c. 28 January 732 (aged
brief reign.[10] Though 114 AH (732) and 117 (735) are commonly reported, there are 57)
different views about the date and cause of al-Bagir's death.[8][4] c. 07 Dhu al-Hijjah 114 AH
Medina, Umayyad Empire
Cause of Poisoning according to
Contents death most Shia Muslims

Ancestry Resting Jannat al-Baqi cemetery,

place Medina, Saudi Arabia
Name
24°28′1″N 39°36′50.21″E
Biography
Abd al-Malik's reign (685-705 CE) Other names Muhammad ibn ‘Alī ibn
Husayn
Umar II's reign (717-720 CE)
Hisham's reign (724-743 CE) Years active 680-733
Death Title List

Imamate al-Bāqir[1][2]
Miracles (Arabic for Revealer)
Succession Beşinci Ali
Teachings (Turkish for Fifth Ali)

Notable disciples Term 712–733 CE

Kufa Predecessor Ali ibn Husayn
Elsewhere Successor Ja'far al-Sadiq
Works Spouse(s) Umm Farwah bint al-
Views Qasim
Sunni view Umm Hakīm bint Usayd
Isma'ili view ibn al-Mughīrā al-Thaqafī
Zaydi view Children List
Sufi view Ja'far al-Sadiq,[3]
See also Ibrahīm,[3]
Footnotes ‘Alī,[3]
References ‘Abdullāh,[3]
Sources Ahmed,[3]
‘Ubaydullah,[3]
Zaynab,[3]
Ancestry
Umm Salama.[3]
Al-Baqir descended from a prominent sayyid lineage. His father was Ali ibn Husayn, Parents Ali ibn Husayn (father)
known also by the honorific title Zayn al-Abidin, and his paternal grandfather was
Fatimah bint Hasan
Husayn, while his mother was Fatimah Umm Abd Allah, and his maternal grandfather
was Hasan. His grandfathers, Hasan and Husayn, were the two eldest surviving sons (mother)
of Ali through his first wife, Fatimah, daughter of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.[8]

Name
The honorific title al-Baqir is an abbreviation of Baqir al-'ilm, which means either 'the one who splits knowledge open' (brings it to
light) or 'the one who possesses great knowledge'.[8] According to Ibn Khallikan, Muhammad ibn Ali received the honorific title al-
Baqir (lit. 'the ample') because of the ample fund of knowledge he possessed. Ya'qubi, however, writes that al-Baqir received this
title because he split knowledge open by scrutinizing and examining its depths.[11] In Shia belief, al-Baqir's title was designated by
the Islamic prophet, Muhammad.[10] The Shia al-Kulayni writes that the prophet's only surviving companion, Jabir ibn Abd Allah,
commonly addressed Muhammad ibn Ali as "O Baqir al-'ilm," telling the Medinan residents about Muhammad's prophesy, "O Jabir!
You will meet a man from my family who will have the same name and the same characteristics as mine. He will split open
knowledge extensively."[12] According to al-Kulayni, Jabir first met Muhammad ibn Ali when the latter was still a child and
identified him from the prophet's description. After confirming his identity, Jabir approached Muhammad ibn Ali, kissed his
forehead and gave the prophet's regards.[12][13]

Another Shia account relates that Caliph Hisham met with al-Baqir's half brother, Zayd, and rudely referred to him as al-baqara
(lit. 'the cow'). Zayd replied that it was the prophet Muhammad who had given his brother the title al-Baqir and then reprimanded
Hisham for opposing the prophet. This narration suggests, according to Lalani, that al-Baqir was known by this title before he was
born.[14]

Biography
Al-Baqir was born in Medina about 56 AH (676 AD), around the time Muawiyah I was working to secure the caliphate of his son,
Yazid I. When al-Baqir was a three or four years old, his family suffered the tragedy of Karbala, where his grandfather, Husayn, was
killed by the forces of Yazid, alongside many of his relatives and supporters. In particular, al-Yaqubi maintains that al-Baqir was also
present at Karbala. In his youth, al-Baqir witnessed the struggle for power between the Umayyads, Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, and
various Shia groups, while his father, Zayn al-Abidin, remained politically quiescent.[15][16] Al-Baqir became Imam upon the death
of his father in 94 or 95 AH and he too adopted a quiescent approach but was nevertheless harassed by the Umayyad rulers, as
Kohlberg writes.[8] Al-Baqir, however, enjoyed certain liberties as the Umayyads were busy infighting and quelling revolts,
according to Tabatabai.[17] He became the focus of growing Shia loyalties as many Kufan Shia delegations visited him in Medina to
attend his teaching circle and ask questions.[18][19]

Abd al-Malik's reign (685-705 CE)

Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, the fifth Umayyad caliph, is said to have issued an Islamic gold coinage for the first time, replacing the
Byzantine coins, at the suggestion of al-Baqir.[8] Sharif al-Qarashi writes that Abd al-Malik consulted Muhammad al-Baqir about the
threatening letters he had received from the Byzantine emperor after Abd al-Malik forbade the Christian motto (Father, Son, and the
Holy Spirit) across Muslim territories. In response, the Byzantine emperor threatened Abd al-Malik with engraving insulting words
to Muhammad on the Byzantine coins. When Abd al-Malik consulted al-Baqir about this, the latter proposed issuing Islamic coinage
to replace the Byzantine denarius.[20]

Umar II's reign (717-720 CE)

Umar II is often considered the most pious Umayyad ruler.[21] He is said to have been favorably disposed to al-Baqir and, after
meeting with him, even returned Fadak to the Alids.[8]
According to Kohlberg, in a narration apparently propagated by the anti-Alids and recorded by Ibn Sa'd, al-Baqir identified Umar II
as the Mahdi, the promised savior in Islam. According to a Shia source, however, al-Baqir prophesied that Umar will be caliph, will
do his best to spread justice, and will be honored by the inhabitants of the earth upon his death but cursed by the inhabitants of
heaven because he had usurped Imam's right to the caliphate.[8]

Hisham's reign (724-743 CE)

Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik summoned al-Baqir to Damascus several times and held him in prison at least once, according to
Kohlberg. Al-Baqir was then sent back to Medina with escorts who were ordered not to give him any food or water. Al-Baqir
emerged victorious in a debate with Nafi, a mawla of the second caliph, Umar, who had challenged al-Baqir at the request of Caliph
Hisham.[8] Possibly on another occasion, according to Momen, Hisham summoned al-Baqir and his son, Jafar, to Damascus and
was defeated by him in a debate about whether Ali possessed knowledge of unseen.[22]

Death

Though 114 AH (732) and 117 (735) are commonly reported, there is considerable
disagreement about the date of al-Bagir's death, ranging from 114 AH (732) to 118
(736).[8][4]

As with the other Imams, al-Baqir is regarded as a martyr (shahid) in Shia belief, though
there are different views about the manner of his death.[22] According to one account, al-
Baqir was poisoned by Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, while some accounts say that al-
Baqir died during the rein of Hisham's successor, al-Walid II, or was poisoned by Ibrahim
ibn al-Walld in his brief reign,[8] which is also the view held by Tabatabai.[10] In yet another The imam's desecrated grave in al-
account, al-Baqir was poisoned by his cousin, Zaid ibn al-Hasan, who placed poison in the Baqi' cemetery in Medina
saddle on which al-Baqir sat when he failed to wrest control of the prophet's inheritance
from al-Baqir.[8] Al-Baqir was laid to rest in al-Baqi' cemetery in Medina.[23]

Ancestors of Muhammad al-Baqir

8. Ali ibn Abi Talib (= 12)
4. Husayn ibn Ali
9. Fatimah bint Muhammad (= 13)
2. Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin
10. Yazdegerd III of Persia (alleged)
5. Shahrbanu

1. Muhammad al-Baqir
12. Ali ibn Abi Talib (= 8)
6. Hasan ibn Ali
13. Fatimah bint Muhammad (= 9)
3. Fatimah bint Hasan
14. Talha ibn Ubaydullah
7. Umm Ishaq bint Talha
15. Al-Jarba bint Qasama

Imamate
According to Jafri, it is widely reported that Zayn al-Abidin designated his eldest son, Muhammad al-Baqir, as the next Imam before
his death.[24] Lalani adds that this view is held by the Twelver and Isma'ili Shia sects. The traditions reported by the Twelver al-
Kulayni suggest that al-Baqir received the weapons and books of the prophet from his father in presence of his brothers, thus
symbolizing authority.[25] In that period, various branches of the Kaysanites were also popular.[26] They traced the imamate through
Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah, a non-Fatimid son of Ali.[27] Al-Baqir's descent from Fatima, Muhammad's only surviving daughter,
gave him a clear advantage over non-Fatimid claimants to the imamate.[28]

Zayd, a half-brother of al-Baqir, also asserted a claim to the imamate, saying that the title can belong to any descendant of Hasan or
Husayn who is learned, pious, and revolts against the tyrants of his time.[29][30] In this, Zayd was possibly influenced by the
teachings of the Mutazilite Wasil ibn Ata,[31][32] though the Twelver author Shareef al-Qurashi writes that Zayd was primarily
educated by his father, Zayn al-Abidin.[33] Al-Shahrastani recounts an argument between the two brothers, in which Zayd remarked
that an imam must rise against oppressors, while al-Baqir reminded him that his own father, the fourth Shia Imam, never fought to
assert his claims to the imamate.[9][32] Zayd also accommodated to some extent the view point of the majority of Muslims by
acknowledging the caliphates of Abu Bakr and Umar and accepting their legal practices, though he still regarded Ali as the best
candidate (al-afdal).[34][9] Initially, Zayd's activist approach gained him a large following. However, as he increasingly
compromised with the traditionalists, some of Zayd's supporters are said to have returned to Muhammad al-Baqir.[29][35] Eventually,
Zayd took up arms against the Umayyads in 122 AH and was killed in Kufa by the forces of Caliph Hisham.[29] Al-Baqir is
reported to have advised Zayd against a premature revolt[8] and even prophesied that he would be slain.[8] After his death, a number
of other revolts are also attributed to the Zaydi movement, continuing to modern times.[36] The influence of al-Baqir in Zaydi
doctrines has been described as significant by multiple authors.[8][37][4]

In contrast to Zayd, al-Baqir opted for a policy of quiescence like his father[22] and his theory of imammate was hereditary through
divine designation (nass), independent of outward political functions.[38] Instead, according to Lalani, it was al-Baqir's extensive
knowledge, his noble birth, primogeniture and personality which gained al-Baqir his following.[38] Al-Baqir also enjoyed certain
liberties as the Umayyads were busy infighting and quelling revolts, according to Tabatabai.[17] He became the focus of growing
Shia loyalties as many Kufan Shia delegations visited him in Medina to attend his teaching circle and ask questions.[18][19] Al-Baqir
is credited with laying the foundations of the Twelver Shia,[4] and his imamate marks the transition of the Shia to completely rely on
the guidance of their Imams and reject the rulings upon which the rest of Muslims depended.[22][8] The numerous traditions
attributed to al-Baqir and his many distinguished disciples, according to Tabatabai, attest to the opportunities for disseminating the
Shia thought which did not exist before al-Baqir.[39]

Al-Baqir also sought to curb the influence of the Ghulat (lit. 'exaggerators'),[4] followers who often conferred divinity on the Shia
Imams and exaggerated their beliefs and personalities.[40] Among them was Mughira ibn sa'id al-Bajali, the founder of the sect
Mughiriyya, who held al-Baqir as divine and was rejected by him. Another example was Bayan ibn sam'an who reportedly asked
al-Baqir to recognize him as prophet and Imam. Al-Baqir also disassociated himself from Abu al-Khattab, the founder of a Ghulat
sect in Kufa, and his followers.[4][41]

Miracles

Some miracles are attributed to al-Baqir. He is reported to have conversed with animals, returned sight to the blind, and foretold
future events, such as the death in the battle of his brother, Zayd, defeat of the Umaayads and the accession of the Abbasid Caliph,
al-Mansur.[8]

Succession

Al-Baqir was succeeded by his eldest son, Jafar al-Sadiq.[8][42] According to a polemic Sunni source, the Shia sect al-Bakiriyya did
not accept al-Baqir's death and awaited his return as Mahdi, the promised savior in Islam.[43]

Teachings
While politically quiescent, al-Baqir is said to have played a significant role in the history of Islam from an intellectual and religious
point of view, as attested to by the vast number of traditions ascribed to al-Baqir.[44][4] As the first Shia Imam who engaged in
systematic teaching,[44] Lalani regards al-Baqir as a versatile expert in jurisprudence, the exegesis of the Quran, the science of
hadith, and theology.[45] Al-Baqir has also been credited with laying the doctrinal and legal foundations of the Twelver Shia, which
were further developed by al-Baqir's son, Jafar al-Sadiq.[46] The evidence also suggests that al-Baqir was a prominent traditionist,
distinct in that he only accepted those traditions of Muhammad which had been reported by the previous Imams.[47]

The many splinter groups within the Shia movement likely motivated al-Baqir to bring some order to the existing concepts of
imamate by laying out a more coherent theory based on the Quran and the hadith literature.[48] A key principle of al-Baqir's theory
is that the imamate passes on from one Imam to the next through divinely-inspired designation (nass), beginning with Muhammad
who also listed all the Imams.[8] Al-Baqir also explained the necessary qualities and attributes of an Imam, such as his esoteric
knowledge (ilm) and infallibility (isma), which distinguished the Imam from others as the best of mankind (afdal al-nas), the
representative (calipha) of God on earth, and the rightful interpreter of His words in the Quran. The Imams also hold absolute
spiritual authority, resting on the absolute authority of Muhammad.[8] As the sole spiritual guide in life and the source of intercession
in the afterlife, the authority of Imam in al-Baqir's view did not rest on outward political power.[47] Al-Baqir also defended the
doctrine of dissociation (al-bara'a) from the first three caliphs, whom the Shia considers as usurpers, and the majority of
Muhammad's companions, as the enemies of the Imams.[8]

Al-Baqir founded what later developed into the Twelver school of law and consolidated the characteristic practices of the Shia. For
instance, he reinstated the expression hayy ala khayr al-amal (lit. 'come to the best of deed') in the Shia call to prayer (adhan),[4]
which was allegedly removed by Umar according to Shia and some early Sunni sources.[49] Another distinct ruling was that wiping
one's footwear before prayer, though common, was unacceptable as a substitute for washing one's feet. Al-Baqir also defended muta
(lit. 'temporary') marriage as a practice sanctioned by Muhammad.[50][4] Al-Baqir forbade all intoxicants, whereas the Kufan jurists
permitted fermented drinks (nabidth).[51] He rejected the use of ra'y (lit. 'opinion') and qiyas (lit. 'analogy') when answering juridicial
questions.[52] Al-Baqir also maintained that, under the threat of death or injury, self-protection through dissimulation (taqiya) is
necessary.[8]

Al-Baqir is closely associated with Twelver exegesis of the Quran and is credited with the commentary Kitab al-Baqir (lit. 'the book
of al-Baqir'), parts of which are extant in Tafsir by Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Qomi. Tafsir Jabir al-Jufi is a collection of exegetical traditions
ascribed to al-Baqir and narrated by Jabir ibn Yazid al-Jufi. In Tafsir Nur al-Thaqalayn, an extensive Shia exegesis of the Quran, al-
Baqir is the authority for 13 percent of the traditions, behind only Muhammad (13.5 percent) and al-Sadiq (47 percent).[4] Al-Baqir
also contributed to the theolegical doctrines about iman, qada wa qadar, the unity of God, and other hotly debated topics in the
broader Muslim community.[52]

According to al-Kafi, al-Baqir held that everyone was accountable on the day of judgement to the extent of their intelligence.[53]

Notable disciples
Al-Baqir is known as the first Shia Imam who engaged in the systematic teaching of the Shia beliefs.[44] Though he lived in
Medina, the main following of al-Baqir was in Kufa, where he attracted a number of distinguished theologians.[7]

Kufa
Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ju'fi was the main representative of al-Baqir in Kufa. As an authority in hadith, he has been
described as truthful (sadiq) and with the quality of reliability (thiqa) but quoted by unreliable transmitters. Jabir
claimed to have witnessed miracles of al-Baqir and was recognized as the bab (lit. 'gate') to al-Baqir who is said to
have related many secrets to him. Despite this reputation, Shia do not reject Jabir as a ghali (lit. 'one who
exaggerates'), possibly because he sided with al-Baqir in the conflict with al-Mughira bin Sa'id al-'Ijli, the well-
known ghali.[54][4] Jabir is the transmitter of some hadiths in Umm al-Kitab and he is also the main narrator of al-
Baqir in Risalat al-Ju'fi.[55]
Aban ibn Taghlib was an outstanding jurist-traditionist and an associate of al-Baqir, but also of Zayn al-Abidin and
al-Sadiq. Al-Baqir is reported to have praised Aban as, "Sit in the mosque of Kufa and give legal judgment to the
people. Indeed I would like to see among my Shia, people like you."[54]
Zurarah ibn A'yan was a disciple of al-Hakam ibn Utayba before joining al-Baqir. A prominent traditionist and
theologian, Zurarah played an important role in the development of the Shia thought. Zurarah lived long enough to
also become a close disciple of Jafar al-Sadiq.[56]
Muhammad bin Muslim, a mawla of Thaqif, was a traditionist, a practicing lawyer, and an ascetic (zahid), who was
highly regarded in the legal circles of Kufa.[57]
Burayd ibn Mu'awieh Ejli was a famous disciple of al-Baqir and later al-Sadiq, who later became a key authority in
the Shia jurisprudence (fiqh). Al-Baqir praised him (along with Abu Basir Moradi, Muhammad bin Muslim, and
Zurarah) as worthy of the paradise.[58]
Abu Basir Moradi, a famous Shia jurist (faqih) and traditionist, was another associate of al-Baqir and al-Sadiq. Al-
Sadiq is believed to have told Moradi, Zurarah, Burayd, and Muhammad ibn Muslim that without them the
prophetic hadiths would have been lost.[58]
Abu Hamza al-Thumali and Abu Khalid Kameli, formerly disciples of Zayn al-Abedin, were also among al-Baqir's
followers. Abu Hamza al-Thumali is regarded as a trustworthy transmitter of hadith, especially those about
miracles.[59]
Fudayl ibn Yasar is another notable associate of both al-Baqir and al-Sadiq, about whom al-Sadiq said what
Muhammad had said about Salman the Persian, that "Fudayl is from us, the Ahl al-Bayt."[58]
Al-Kumayt ibn Zayd al-Asadi was a renowned poet of his time and a devout Shia of al-Baqir. His Hashimiyyat, in
praise of the Ahl al-Bayt, is considered among the earliest evidence for the doctrine of imamate.[60]
Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Nu'maa was a distinguished theologist and a devoted follower of al-Baqir and al-
Sadiq, whose debates about imamate are famous. Kitab al-Imamah and Kitab al_Radd alla al-Mu'tazila fi Imamat
al-Mafdul are among his works.[61]

Elsewhere

Basra was generally not considered a Shia city though al-Baqir had a few notable disciples there as well, including Muhammad ibn
Marwan al-Basri, Isma'il ibn Fadl al-Hashemi, Malek ibn A'yan al-Juhani. The last one should not be confused with Zurara's
brother.[61] Al-Baqir's circle in Mecca included Ma'ruf ibn Kharbuz Makki, a famed jurist (faqih) and traditionist, though not
comparable to Zurarah, and Maymun ibn al-Aswad al-Qaddah, who was likely a merchant and in charge of the Imam's property in
Mecca. One of his sons, Abdullah, later became the alleged ancestor of the Isma'ili imams.[62] Elsewhere, prominent followers of al-
Baqir include Muhammad ibn Isma'il Bazi and other members of Bazi's family, Abu Harun and his namesake, Abu Harun Makfuf,
Uqba ibn Bashir al-Asadi, Aslam al-Makki, and Najiyy ibn Abi Mu'adh ibn Muslim.[63]

Works
A number of works are ascribed to al-Baqir. An indication of the breadth of his contributions, Musnad al-Imam al-Baqir
(lit. 'scripture of Imam al-Baqir') is a six-volume book attributed to al-Baqir, consisting of Twelver law and doctrines. It was collected
by Azizallah al-Utaridi, who compiled it mostly from Twelver Shia sources, but also from Ismaili, Zaydi, and Sunni references.
The
book covers legal issues such as divorce, manumission, testimony, inheritance, funerals, and marriage, ritual practices such as
supplications (adʿiya), ritual purity (tahara), prayer, fasting, alms (zakat), and pilgrimage (hajj), and doctrinal issues such as
monotheism (tawhid), imamate, faith (iman), and unbelief (kufr).[4] A synopsis of al-Baqir's teachings, collected in Ma'athirul-Baqir,
appears in Cannon Sell's Ithna Ashariyya.[16]

He [al-Baqir] discoursed fully on many topics, such as the nature of the soul of man, the qualities of the ulama (the
learned) and the nature and attributes of God. He [al-Baqir] discouraged arguments about the divine nature, saying that
it was not possible for men to understand it. One day a Mu’tazili leader asked what the anger of God meant. He said it
was simply punishment, but that this anger was not to be compared to the anger of men. God's nature did not change.
He defined a Rasul as a prophet who hears the voice of the angel (of revelation) and sees the angel in a bodily form or
in a dream ; a Nabi, he said, is a prophet who also hears the voice of the angel under the same conditions, but does not
see him; and the Imam’s condition is like that of the Nabi and not like that of the Rasul.[16]

— Ithna Ashariyya

Tafsir al-Baqir or Ketab al-Baqir is an exegesis of the Quran attributed to al-Baqir and transmitted by his disciple, Abu l-Jarud
Ziyad ibn al-Mundhir. Ranked first by Najashi among the early Quranic commentaries, this work is partially extant in Tafsir by Ali
ibn Ibrahim al-Qomi.[64][4] Another Quranic commentary ascribed to al-Bāqir is narrated by Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ju'fi and compiled by
Rasul Kaẓim Abd al-Sada under the title Tafsir Jabir al-Juʿfī.[4] Risalat al-Ju'fi contains views about the Ismaili sect and is narrated
mainly by Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ju'fi, a companion of al-Baqir.[65] Al-Manasik is a treatise on the rituals of Islamic pilgrimage (hajj) that
Abu l-Jarud Ziyad ibn al-Mundhir quoted from al-Baqir. Al-Manasik is quoted in full in an extant work by Ahmad ibn Isa.[66]

Umm al-Kitab (lit. 'the archetype of the book') is said to contain al-Baqir's answers to some of the questions posed by his followers,
[65][./Muhammad_al-Baqir#cite_note-FOOTNOTELalani2000108-65 [65]] and is in the form of a discussion between the Imam
and three of his companions.[67] Some of the traditions in the book are transmitted by Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ju'fi, [65][./Muhammad_al-
Baqir#cite_note-FOOTNOTELalani2000108-65 [65]] and in its 'Apocalypse of Jabir', al-Baqir confides to Jabir how the cosmos
were created, how men descended to this world, and how they can gain deliverance from it.[8] According to Kohlberg, Jabir was a
central figure in Kufan Ghulat circles,[8] while Lalani writes that it is difficult to ascertain whether Jabir was really the transmitter of
the traditions in Umm al-Kitab or if some or many were later foisted upon him.[65] Resembling the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, the
book illustrates the similarity between imamology and gnostic Christology. A major concept of this work is the description of the
numinous experience. Its central motif is the psychological and philosophical explanation of spiritual symbols, with believers
instructed to perform acts of self-purification and renewal. Colors are used to symbolize theories and levels of consciousness that one
must recognize in oneself.[67]

Views

Sunni view

The reputation of al-Baqir as a traditionist and religious scholar went far beyond the Shia circles.[68][8] He is unanimously seen as a
trustworthy authority of hadith, bestowed with the highest degree of trust, that of thiqa.[68] Al-Baqir is the authority of over a
hundred traditions in the six canonical collections of Sunni hadith. In Sunni works, al-Baqir is depicted as an eminent theologian,
faqih (expert in jurisprudence), and interpreter of the Quran. He is occasionally criticized though for directly quoting individuals
who died before he was born or when he was still an infant.[4] Al-Baqir is cited by Ibn Ishaq in his prophetic biography and by al-
Tabari for a version of the events in Karbala.[8] In Sunni sources, al-Baqir is portrayed as a proto-Sunni scholar who rejected what
his Shia followers attributed to him. For instance, in contrast with Shia sources, later Sunni authors maintain that al-Baqir supported
Abu Bakr and Umar, called them Imams, and said that one should pray behind the Umayyads.[4]

The Sunni attitude towards al-Baqir is reflected in the following statements. Abd Allah ibn Ata al-Makki conceded that he had never
seen scholars feel so small in the presence of anyone as they felt before al-Baqir. He added that even the famous traditionist, al-
Hakam ibn Utayba, despite his age and eminence, behaved before al-Baqir as so he was a pupil before a teacher.[68]
Muhammad ibn
al-Munkadir is reported to have said that he had not seen anyone who surpassed Ali ibn al-Husayn, until he met his son, Muhammad
al-Baqir.[69] While Shia sources describe a meeting between al-Baqir and Abu Hanifa in a negative light, Sunni sources write that
Abu Hanifa was a prominent disciple of al-Baqir, who had prophesied that Abu Hanifa would revive the prophet's sunna.[8]

Isma'ili view

Al-Baqir is Ismaiilie's fourth Imam and an authority in Ismaili law.[46] According to al-Qadi al-Nu'man, the reliability of al-Baqir
was such that a maqtu' hadith (with interrupted or broken chain of transmission) was regarded as mawsul (lit. 'linked') and elevated
to marfu (traceable to the prophet) when narrated by him.[70]

Zaydi view

Al-Baqir is not recognized by Zaydis as an Imam, though he is seen as a prominent figure and his traditions appear in some Zaydi
works such as Amali al-Imam Aḥmad ibn Isa.[46] According to Kohlberg, al-Baqir is portrayed in Zaydi works as acknowledging
Zayd's superior knowledge and so, by implication, Zayd's claims to the imamate."[8]

Sufi view

Al-Baqir is a well-known figure among the Sufi, frequently depicted in their biographies as a distinguished authority in the
intricacies of the (esoteric) sciences (daqaiq al-'ulum) and the subtle allusions of the Quran (al-isharat). He is also said to have
performed well-known miracles (karamat), and displayed radiant signs (ayat) and distinct proofs (barahin) of God. In Sufi sources,
al-Baqir reached the spiritual stations of the gnostics (maqamat al-arifin).[46] It is related that al-Baqir defined Sufism as "goodness
of disposition: he that has the better disposition is the better Sufi."[8] In the Naqshbandi order, al-Baqir is revered as the father of
Jafar al-Sadiq, the sheikh of the Golden Chain.

See also
Family tree of Muhammad
Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin
Jafar al-Sadiq
Jabir ibn Abd Allah
Zayd ibn Ali
Zaydism
Mashhad Ardehal

Footnotes

References
1. Shaykh al-Mufid. "The Infallibles - Taken from Kitab al Irshad" (http://www.al-islam.org/masoom/bios/5thimam.html).
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20090820035202/http://www.al-islam.org/masoom/bios/5thimam.html) from
the original on 20 August 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
2. A Brief History of The Fourteen Infallibles. Qum: Ansariyan Publications. 2004. p. 117.
3. al-Qarashi, Baqir Shareef. "3". The life of Imam Mohammad al-Baqir. Qum: Ansariyan Publications.
4. Buckley 2022.
5. Lalani 2000, p. 37.
6. Lalani 2000, pp. 8, 9, 96.
7. Bukcley 2022.
8. Kohlberg 2022.
9. Lalani 2000, p. 47.
10. Tabatabai 1977, p. 202.
11. Donaldson 1933, p. 112.
12. Lalani 2000, p. 38.
13. Donaldson 1933, p. 116.
14. Lalani 2000, p. 40.
15. Lalani 2000, pp. 37, 38.
16. Donaldson 1933, p. 113.
17. Tabatabai 1977, pp. 202, 203.
18. Dakake 2007, p. 72.
19. Tabatabai 1977, p. 203.
20. Sharif al-Qarashi 1999, pp. 243–245.
21. Hoyland 2015, p. 199.
22. Momen 1985, p. 37.
23. Momen 1985, p. 38.
24. Jafri 1979, p. 171.
25. Lalani 2000, p. 41.
26. Lalani 2000, p. 42.
27. Lalani 2000, p. 34.
28. Lalani 2000, pp. 43, 44.
29. Momen 1985, pp. 49, 50.
30. Jenkins 2010, p. 55.
31. Jafri 1979, p. 175.
32. Donaldson 1933, p. 115.
33. Sharif al-Qarashi 1999, p. 39.
34. Momen 1985, pp. 37, 49.
35. Jafri 1979, p. 173.
36. Momen 1985, p. 50.
37. Lalani 2000, pp. 46–53.
38. Lalani 2000, p. 52.
39. Tababatai 1977, p. 203.
40. Lalani 2000, p. 53.
41. Lalani 2000, pp. 53, 54.
42. Jafri 1979, pp. 178, 179.
43. Kohlberg 1993, p. 399
44. Lalani 2000, p. 8.
45. Lalani 2000, pp. 8, 9.
46. Buckely 2022.
47. Lalani 2000, p. 12.
48. Lalani 2000, pp. 11, 12, 43.
49. Lalani 2000, pp. 123, 124.
50. Lalani 2005.
51. Jafri 1979, p. 176.
52. Lalani 2000, p. 13.
53. al-Kulayni 2015.
54. Lalani 2000, pp. 108, 109.
55. Lalani 2000, pp. 107, 108.
56. Lalani 2000, p. 109.
57. Lalani 2000, pp. 109, 110.
58. Lalani 2000, p. 110.
59. Lalani 2000, p. 110
60. Lalani 2000, pp. 110, 111.
61. Lalani 2000, p. 111.
62. Lalani 2000, pp. 112, 113.
63. Lalani 2000, p. 113.
64. Modarressi 2003, pp. 37, 38.
65. Lalani 2000, p. 108.
66. Modarressi 2003, p. 38.
67. Corbin 2001, pp. 75, 76.
68. Lalani 2000, p. 96.
69. Lalani 2000, p. 97.
70. Lalani 2000, p. 105.

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n-al-abidin-SIM_8144?s.num=3&s.f.s2_parent=s.f.book.encyclopaedia-of-islam-2&s.q=Zayn+al-%CA%BF%C4%8
0bid%C4%ABn). Encyclopaedia of Islam (Second ed.). Brill Reference Online.
Lalani, Arzina R. (2000). Early Shi'i Thought: The Teachings of Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir. I. B. Tauris. ISBN 978-
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Buckley, Ron P. (2022). "Muḥammad Al-Bāqir". Encyclopaedia of Islam (Third ed.). Brill Reference Online.
Lalani, Arzina R. (2005). "MUHAMMAD AL-BAQIR (D. CA. AH 117/735 CE)". In Meri, Josef W. (ed.). Medieval
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