Imam Baqir’s (AS) Role in Islamic Civilization

Shafaqna English- Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (AS) played an important role in prospering the bright Islamic civilization throughout the generations that came after him.

He was among the leading Imams of the House (Ahlul-Bayt (AS)) and he was among the most prominent of the men of thought and knowledge in Islam. Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (AS) was said to have been high esteemed for his educating role and eloquence as well as on account of his noble birth.

According to Ibn Khalikan, the Imam (AS) received the title of Baqir (Splitter of knowledge) due to his ample knowledge of religion and his enthusiasm to teach others.

The time of Imam (AS), was the most critical and sensitive of all the Islamic times, as many sects appeared during that time. They were among the most dangerous at the time. Besides the political parties attacked each other to the extent that they stopped Islam from spreading and deviated it from its way to another way without a ray of light and awareness.

The Role of Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (AS)

Every Imam strove to preserve Islam, spread the teachings of religion, and expose truths to people as much as the surrounding circumstances allowed. Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (AS) proceeded on this path through following a series of measures:

1- Intellectual and Doctrinal Reform: Imam (AS) refuted the concepts which the deviant groups spread in his time such as the Ghulat and the Heretics. He also arranged gatherings for discussion with people of other religions and with Muslim scholars with different viewpoints such as Hassan Al-Basri.

2- Establishment of the Seminary of the Household (peace be upon them): Imam (AS) was able to clearly display in front of all people – even those who did not believe in his Imamate- that the Household of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were the True Source of knowledge. He established a seminary for teaching Islamic jurisprudence.

3- Political Activity: The Imam (peace be upon him) pursued an indirect method in opposing the ruling political system. He did this through teaching people to know their roles and duties in their current circumstances. He followed the process of enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil through spreading correct political concepts such as forbidding giving aid to oppressors and revealing the deviation of the authority from the path of Islam.

Urging the Muslims to seek Knowledge

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (A.S) urged the Muslims to seek knowledge. He summoned them to strive to study knowledge because it is the creative means for their development and the prosper of their life. Imam (AS) said:

“If people knew what is in seeking knowledge, they would seek it even through shedding blood and wading into the depth of the sea.”

Sources :

• Story of the Holy Ka’aba And its People, S.M.R. Shabbar
• The Life of Imam Muhammad ibn ‘Ali al-Baqir, Baqir Sharif Al-Qurashi
• History of the Shia in the Time of Imam Baqir (AS), Seyyed Ahmad Reza Khizri