Imam Baqir's Qualities and his Character
- Updated On Monday, 25 August 2014
- Written by Allamah Qurashi
- Editor Fatimah Graham
- Supervisor Sayyed Roohullah Musavi
- Published on Friday, 14 February 2014
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- Hits: Please briefly describe Imam Baqir's talents, features, and characteristics.
His Features Imam Abu Ja'far (al-Baqir), peace be upon him, had all the noble qualities that made him suitable for undertaking both the spiritual and the temporal leadership of the community. Each of his qualities placed him at a summit where none are expected to reach, except the most unique people of the time. Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari relates that his features were similar to those of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family.1 He also had morals similar to those of the Prophet, such that distinguished him from other prophets. Imam al-Baqir was described by his contemporaries as follows: He was a man of medium height with dark skin.5 He had soft skin with moles. He had a slim waist. He had a pleasant voice. He kept his head bowed.2 His Early Intelligence Imam al-Baqir, peace be upon him, was shown to be intelligent and of great wisdom during his childhood. It is said that Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari, although an old man himself, came to him, sat with him, and learned from him. Jabir admired the Imam's abundant knowledge and scientific understanding. He said: "Baqir, you have been given wisdom while you are still a boy."3 His Majesty and Prestige The Imam's features, peace be upon him, represented the majesty and prestige of the prophets. Everyone respected and admired him. For example, Qattada, the jurist of the people of Basra,met him. His heart trembled at the Imam's majesty. Thus, he said to him: "I sit before the jurists and b. Abbas. My heart does not tremble for them as it does for you."4 His Clemency Clemency was Imam Abu Ja'far's (al-Baqir), peace be upon him, most prominent quality. Historians have unanimously agreed that the Imam never mistreated those who wronged him or were aggressive towards him. Instead, he forgave them and treated them kindly. Historians have reported many examples of his clemency, including the following: One of the 'people of the book' (kitabi) attacked the Imam, became aggressive towards him, and addressed him with bitter words saying: "You are a baqar (a cow)." However, the Imam treated him kindly. He smiled at him, saying: "No, I am Baqir." The man continued attacking the Imam, saying: "You are the son of the cook." The Imam smiled at him. This aggression failed to rouse him. Instead he said to him: "That is her job." Still the man continued attacking the Imam, saying: "You are the son of a black woman." Instead of becoming angry, the Imam treated him kindly, saying: "If you are truthful, may Allah forgive you. If you are a liar, may Allah forgive you." Subsequently as a result of his admiration of the Imam's morals, that represented the morals of the prophets, the man became a Moslem.5 His Patience Patience was one of the personal qualities of the pure Imams of the Ahlul-Bayt, peace be upon them. Imam al-Baqir, like his grandfathers, was patient in the face of hardship and misfortune. It is worth remembering that at that time, those in authority openly denigrated his pure forefathers. They cursed them in public on the pulpits and from the minarets. However, he was unable to say a word. In addition, the heads of the hirelings of the Umayyad authority, severely tortured and killed followers of the Ahlul-Bayt, peace be upon them. Still, the Imam was unable to say anything. That is because the Umayyad authorities kept him under intense surveillance. They surrounded him with their secret agents and failed to respond to any of his requests concerning the affair of his followers. The Imam's great patience, was reflected in his noble life and historians have reported many examples of this. Honoring the Poor One of the Imam's virtues was that he treated the poor with respect and raised their status. Historians have reported that: "He ordered his family not to say to the beggar: 'Beggar, take this.' Instead, he insisted they say: 'Servant of Allah, you are blessed.'"6 He also ordered them to call beggars by honorable names.7 Freeing Slaves The great Imam was a passionate advocate of freeing slaves and saving them from enslavement. He is known to have released a family of eleven slaves.8 His Generosity and Open-mindedness Generosity was one of the basic qualities of the Imams of the Ahlul-Bayt, peace be upon them. They offered a helping hand to the poor and to beggars. The Imam had a natural disposition for doing good, giving to people, and making them happy. Ibn al-Sabbagh al-Maliki said: "Though Muhammad b. Ali b. al-Husayn (al-Baqir) had knowledge, outstanding merits, leadership, and Imamate, his generosity to both Shi'a and non-Shi'a was well known. He was renowned for his generosity towards all people, and he was known for showing favors and kindness, despite his own large family and his medium-sized wealth."9 His Worship It has been reported that when the Imam prepared himself for prayer, the color of his skin turned yellow out of fear of Allah.10 He knew the might of Allah, the Exalted, the Creator of the universe and Giver of life. Thus, the Imam worshipped him as the pious and the repentant did. He offered many prayers. Reports state that: "He said one hundred and fifty rakat by day and night."11 His scientific affairs and his general authority for the community did not divert him from saying all these prayers. There are abundant reports of his eloquent supplications. The Imam, peace be upon him, whispered prayers to Allah in the darkness of night. Included in his whispered prayers were: "You have ordered me, but I have not followed Your order. You have prevented me, but I have not followed Your prevention. Here I am, Your servant before You."12 Historians have said that: "He always remembered Allah. His tongue praised Allah constantly. He walked and praised Allah. He spoke to the people, but that did not divert him from praising Allah. He gathered his children together and ordered them to praise Allah till the sun rose. He also ordered them to recite the Qur'an. He ordered those who could not read to praise Allah."13 His Talents and his Genius The talents and genius of Imam Abu Ja'far (al-Baqir), peace be upon him, manifested in his competency in all types of knowledge including all of the sciences, such as study of the traditions, philosophy, theology, jurisprudence, and in high standards and morals. In addition, the Imam had the ability to predict events before they occurred. Historians and narrators have unanimously agreed that in scientific ability and talent, the Imam was the richest of all the thinkers and the scholars of his time.
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References: 1 Usul al-Kafi, vol.1, p.469. 2 Ayan al-Shi'a, 1/4/471. 3 Ilal al-Sharai, p.234. 4 Ithbat al-Hudat, vol.5, p.176. 5 Ayan al-Shi'a, 4/Q1/504. 6 'Uyyun al-Akhbar, vol.3, p.208. 7 Al-Bayan wa al-Tabiyyin, p.158. Ayan al-Shi'a, Q1/4/472. 8 Sharh Shafiyat Abi Firas, vol.2, p.176. 9 Al-Fusu al-Muhimma, p.227. 10 Ibn Asakir, Tarikh, vol.51, p.44. 11 Tadhkirat al-Huffaz, vol.125. Ibn Asakir, Tarikh, vol.51, p.44. Hulyat al-Awliya, vol.3, p.182. 12 Nur al-Absar, p.130. 13 Ayan al-Shi'a, 4/Q1/471.