Al-Baaqir The Fifth Imam

1. Al-BaaqirThe Fifth Imam By A.S. Hashim. MD

2. About this Slide Show • Discussed: • Lineage • Early childhood • Meeting Jabir Al-Ansaari • His teens and twenties • The Currency Issue • The three phases of Islam • Al-Baaqir’s Imamah • Educational input • Subjects taught • Some select sayings • Ziyarah

3. Lineage Grandfather Al-Husain Father Zainul Abideen Al-Baaqir Grandfather Al-Hasan Mother Fatima

4. Early childhood • Al-Baaqir was born in 57 Hijrah • Was loved by grandparents and aunts • Was close to Sakeena his aunt (teenage) • At 3 years of age, accompanied his grandfather Al-Husain, and his father Zainul Abideen to Karbala • Witnessed the horrendous treatment dealt to his family in Karbala

5. With them from Kufa to Damascus • 3½ Yr, Al-Baaqir, along with a devastated family, crosses the desert to Damascus • Sees the severed heads on tip of spears ahead of them every day • His beloved, Sakeena (who took care of him), dies in Damascus • Nightmares keep coming to him almost nightly • Extremely affected by Karbala and the move to Damascus followed by returning to Medina

6. Mecca to Karbala, then Kufa to Damascus Kufa to Damascus Mecca to Karbala

7. The Grief in Medina • 3½ Yr: Al-Baaqir saw Zainab, on a vigorous campaign, to explain what happened in Karbala • He saw his father Zainul Abideen go into seclusion and cut off most contact with people • He observed that people of Medina were inflamed and very angry • Everyone cried and mourned for Imam Al‑Husain. • The mind of the young Al‑Baaqir could only absorb the scenes with further apprehension and remorse.

8. At up to the Age of 5½ years:  • Al-Baaqir is tutored by his father Zainul Abideen. • Medina had revolted, and a horrific battle took place • His father, Zainul Abideen, takes on his shoulder hosting 400 of Benu Umayya clan • witnesses the atrocities inflicted on Medina itself, and how for 3 days Yazid's soldiers wounded, killed, and destroyed much in Medina.

9. Yazid’s Atrocities 1. Karbala 2. Medina 3. Mecca

10. With Jabir Al-Ansaari • As Jabir Al‑Ansaari became old, he lost his eye-sight, and he was often seen sitting in the Prophet's Mosque persistently calling for Al‑Baaqir • The people at the time, not knowing of any Al‑Baaqir around, thought Al‑Ansaari had lost his mind • When Al‑Ansaari finally met Al‑Baaqir he excitedly hugged him, kissed his hand, and joyfully expressed the love and conveyed the salutation of the Prophet to the young boy.

11. Al-Baaqir in his boyhood • Father, Zainul Abideen, active in teaching his children Islam • He concentrated on teaching them: • the Holy Quran, then • Tafseer, followed by • the Hadith and • Al‑Ah'kaam • Al‑Baaqir was extremely receptive.  He not only showed an unparalleled brilliance of mind but also the eagerness to absorb the Islamic knowledge. • It was not only his father who tutored him, it was also the collective effort of the whole family.  His great‑aunt Zainab, great-uncle Ibn Al‑Hanafiyah, or others, they all participated.

12. Al-Baaqir during his teens • Politically turbulent times under Al‑Zubair's rulership, for he tried to seize the Khilaafah from Benu Umayya. • Many military clashes evolved between the forces of Abdul Malik and Ibn Zubair • Al‑Baaqir was grieved due to the bloodshed that took place in Mecca, and how the Ka'ba was wrecked by the forces of Abdul Malik of Benu Umayya • Al‑Baaqir continued to absorb the enormous amount of knowledge made available to him.  • Participated in the Discourses his father was giving

13. In his twenties

14. Al-Baaqir in his Twenties • Muhammad Al‑Baaqir Marries Umm Farwa, the great-granddaughter of Khalifa Abu Bakr. • More than a year later, in the year 83H, a boy was born to him.  They called him Ja'far. • Al‑Baaqir is sought after for his enormous knowledge. • People endearingly call him Al‑Baaqir, for his in‑depth analysis of any religious problem. • Al-Baaqir also means: the one who discloses treasures of wisdom underlying various Islamic laws.

15. The Byzantine Currency • The Byzantine emperor was threatening: • to withdraw the dominant Byzantine currency, thus sabotage the Islamic Ummah • unless concessions were made by the Muslims, (which were unacceptable). • Until now the currency in the Muslim world had been predominantly the Byzantine currency. • Abdul Malik the Khalifa sends for Al-Baaqir to solve the crisis (the currency problem facing the nation).

16. Al-Baaqir solves the currency problemOrientalists call it a Stroke of Genius. • Stop dealing with the Byzantine currency, • Build Muslim currency (coins) instead, • Inscribe on one side La Ilaaha Illa Allah, • Inscribe on the other side Muhammad Rasool Allah, • Stamp the edge of the coin with the date and locality, and • Have special scales to weigh the gold currency pieces to make sure its accurate worth.

17. Al‑Baaqir in his Mid-thirties • Zainul Abideen and Al‑Baaqir shun politics completely They held the contemporary rulers and their administration as neither valid nor legitimate. • They saw Islam was violated in the name of Islam Therefore, they raced against time to deliver to the people as much Islamic knowledge as possible. • Medina became an intellectual center of learning • As a result, the Piety‑minded community evolved • When Zainul Abideen died Al‑Baaqir’s Imamah started at the age of 38 years

18. Contemporary Khulafaa

19. The three phases of Islam 1. Muhammad ISLAM 2. Ali, Hasan & Husain 3. Rest of Imams

20. The 1st of 3 Phases of Islam

21. The 2nd of 3 Phases of Islam

22. The 3rd of 3 Phases of Islam

23. During Al-Baaqir’s Imamah • The institute of Ahlul Bayt grows substantially • Up to 300 scholars graduate over a period of 18 years • Graduates write about 100 books • Al‑Baaqir himself wrote the book of Tafseer, in which he registered numerous Hadiths. • Many knowledge seekers traveled from far away (and lived in Medina) to attend Al-Baaqir’s discourses • He argued with the Kharijis (deviators) and Ghulaat (exaggerationists).

24. The Institute graduatesEducational works of Al-Baaqir versus Zainul Abideen • During Al-Baaqir’s time, 300 Scholars graduated. • The 300 Scholars wrote 100 books • During Zainul Abideen’s time 160 Scholars graduated • The graph on the right shows relative numbers • This is remarkable, since it was in spite of the heavy political pressure on Ahlul Bayt

25. Ali’s writings during: Abu Bakr, Omar, and Uthman’s Khilaafah: Corpus of Knowledge consists of the following: Quran in chorological order Tafseer (Mus’haf Fatima) Hadith (Saheefa of Ali) Ah’kaam Al-Jafr White Jafr: Prophets and early times Red Jafr: Rules of war in Islam Corpus of Knowledge

26. Hadiths: Golden Chain of Narration:

27. Conditions of the Ummah (at his time) • Karbala kept haunting the Ummah • Yazid's bloodshed in Medina • Devastation done in Mecca • Al‑Hajjaj in Iraq and Persia • Public works and charities exclusively in Syria • Syrian Troops in Garrisons all over the Ummah • Mawaali Resentment

28. Al‑Baaqir: The Haven to Inquiries • Often surrounded by students of different ages, many of them scholars already, Al‑Baaqir was the haven to their inquiries.  • No matter what questions they asked, Al‑Baaqir answered eloquently, always giving the Islamic detail necessary.  • He never got tired of their questioning, never said no, never absented himself: on the contrary, it was all his to give. • He was the repository of Islamic knowledge, • the one sought after by the notables of Fiqh specialists, • the forerunners of intellectuals, • as well as the ordinary seekers of knowledge.

29. The Intellectual Center • Al‑Baaqir's son, Al‑Saadiq, was an active participant, and his contribution to the religious community, even then, was highly admired.  • Many of these students continued their studies later on at the hands of Al‑Saadiq and quoted him quite often. • The growth of this Institute was such that • Medina kept being the very intellectual center • and the dynamic magnate to Knowledge, • despite the fact that the center of political power was Damascus in Syria. • Out of this atmosphere a Piety‑Minded community arose, which grew so influential and so astonishingly entrenched that even the ruler Abdul Malik tried to show affinity to gain their support.

30. Subjects Taught • Tafseer of the Holy Quran. • Hadith, as quoted by each Imam from his father, up to Ali, then Muhammad (pbuh) Golden Chain of Narration. • Al‑Ah'kaam, which grew with time, since new religious problems were to be solved according to the Shari'ah. • Fiqh, as diversified due to the Ij'tihaad of the Jurisprudents. • Halal and Haram, • Ethics, Mu'aamalaat, among other important Islamic subjects. • Irfan (Islamic theological philosophy). • Adab: High forms of literature.

31. Ismah Emphasized • Ismah:  Ayah of Tat’heer: Surah  33 :  Ayah  33. • Ahlul Bayt are to be obeyed, not just revered; • Imamah:  was of immense importance. A designated Imam was Ma'soom, i.e., safeguarded by Allah from : • Religious error, • Sin, and • Forgetfulness. • Those who ignore the Imamah will have ignored a basic pillar in their faith.

32. THE PIETY‑MINDED COMMUNITY

33. The Institute Expands • During Al-Baaqir’s time, 300 Scholars graduated. • The 300 Scholars wrote 100 books • The graph shows relative numbers

34. Regions of Religious Movements at the Time of Al-Baaqir

35. Attitude of Benu Umayya • Apprehensive and insecure, Benu Umayya were dictatorial, suspicious and edgy about Ahlul Bayt, fearing their influence. • Spies and undercover agents were deployed all over especially against Ahlul Bayt.  • The times of Al‑Baaqir were: • difficult during Al‑Waleed and Suleiman sons of Abdul Malik, • but free and very friendly during the times of Omar son of Abdul Aziz.

36. About Benu Umayya • Muhammad Al‑Baaqir had to teach in subtle ways, • often leaving confrontational matters in the hands of his students after they had left and started preaching on their own. • They pointed out to the extreme repression of Banu Umayya. • The Impiety of most rulers, many of whom took to indulgence in prohibited matters.  • The Manner of taxation of Mawaali (the non‑Arabs who embraced Islam) • The ill‑treatment the Mawaali by the government officials, • The Flagrant ethnic preferences : Example: • Benu Umayya overvalued the Arabs of Syria over the Arabs of Iraq, and these over the ones in Medina, which were regarded superior to non-Arabs. 

37. More about Benu Umayya • Muslims resented the use of the public treasury to benefit mainly Syria, • public works to be mainly in Syria, • and to maintain an administrative body consisting of Benu Umayya and their loyalist:  they were greedy, self‑centered, and self serving. • Muslims resented the rule of a Khalifa by military might and the tip of the sword. • The constant cursing of Imam Ali as a State policy was deeply resented by people. • Bitterness and smoldering anger grew with the years.  • the people knew the Hadiths on behalf of Ali, • And the many Quranic Ayahs on behalf of Ali, • and the unique position Imam Ali held in Islam. 

38. Omar II(son of Abdul Aziz)the Exception • Omar II ended the cursing of Imam Ali on the pulpits. • Omar II returned Fadak to Ahlul Bayt. • Omar II scrupulously accorded the privileges to the old Medina families (Muhajiroon and Ansaar) which Benu Umayya had cut down those privileges. • Omar II corrected numerous injustices leading to acceptable settlement, examples: • Some Christian groups had their tribute reduced. • Church lands in Egypt were freed of certain taxes. • Other illegal taxes in Iran were remitted. • Some excess taxes already paid were restored.

39. Select sayings of Al‑Baaqir • The acme of good character is reached when: • a person has attained full knowledge of religious matters when he: • faces the vicissitudes of life with patience and fortitude, and • leads his life economically (That man should spend according to his means, so that he may not have to depend on others).

40. Select sayings of Al‑Baaqir • There are three things which lead to distinction and eminence in the hereafter: • If somebody treats you unjustly, and you forgive him. • If somebody does wrong to you, and you show him kindness. • When your place and right is unknown and undermined, you show patience and forbearance.

41. Select sayings of Al‑Baaqir • When two believers meet and shake hands, Allah will place his hand with them, favoring the one who loves his brother the most. • When you meet each other start with greetings of peace and shake hands, and when you part, do so with entreating Allah’s forgiveness. • The good deed rewarded promptly by Allah is when you keep communicating with relatives in gracious manner. • Imam Al‑Baaqir said: "My father, Imam Ali Ibn Al‑Husain used to tell his children to avoid big and small lies in earnestness or in jest; for he who tells small lies will soon have the audacity to tell big ones."

42. Describing his devotees

43. Imam Al‑Baaqir dies • Just as the case with Zainul Abideen and Al‑Husain, Imam Al‑Baaqir died at the age of 57 years. • His death was mourned by numerous people • Al‑Baaqir designated his son, Al‑Saadiq, as the subsequent Imam • He gave him a will containing a treasure of wisdom • He handed him the books constituting the Corpus of Knowledge which Imam Ali had previously written. • Imam Al‑Baaqir was buried in Al‑Baqii, by the burial site of Imam Al‑Hasan and Imam Zainul Abideen. 

44. Picture of Al-Baqii Before and After 1925

45. Ziyarah of Al‑Baaqir in Baqi’i السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَئِمَّةَ الْهُدَى السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ التَّقْوَى‏السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا الْحُجَجُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا الْقُوَّامُ فِي الْبَرِيَّةِ بِالْقِسْطِالسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الصَّفْوَةِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ آلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ النَّجْوَى‏أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ بَلَّغْتُمْ وَنَصَحْتُمْ وَصَبَرْتُمْ فِي ذَاتِ اللَّهِ وَكُذِّبْتُمْ وَأُسِي‏ءَ إِلَيْكُمْ فَغَفَرْتُمْ‏وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ الرَّاشِدُونَ الْمُهْتَدُونَ وَأَنَّ طَاعَتَكُمْ مَفْرُوضَةٌ وَأَنَّ قَوْلَكُمُ الصِّدْقُ‏وَأَنَّكُمْ دَعَوْتُمْ فَلَمْ تُجَابُوا وَأَمَرْتُمْ فَلَمْتُطَاعُوا

46. Finally: Ziyarah of Al‑Baaqir in Baqi’i • Peace be upon you O Leaders of Guidance; Peace be upon you O Masters of Piety, • Peace be upon you O Proofs of Allah on the people of the earth; • Peace be upon you who were Steadfast in dealing with justice. • Peace be upon you O people of the Chosen One. • Peace be upon you the Family of the Prophet of Allah, • Peace be upon you O people whose souls converse to the Almighty, • I bear witness that you had Proclaimed and Advised and had Persevered for the sake of Allah • And that you were belied and mistreated, yet you forgave • And I bear witness that you are the rightly guided leaders; and that obedience to you is incumbent and that your speech is correct and you had invited to the Truth but were not answered and you commanded but were not followed……

47. Finally Let us Read Surah al-Asr Together

48. Be in Allah’s Care Thank you and May God Bless you. Dr. A.S. Hashim