Al-Baaqir The Fifth Imam By A.S. Hashim. MD

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

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

Early childhood 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

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

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.

At up to the Age of 5½ years: 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.

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

With Jabir Al-Ansaari As 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 to have 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.

In his boyhood Father, Zainul Abideen, active in teaching his children Islam He concentrated on teaching them: 1.the Holy Quran, then 2.Tafseer, followed by 3.the Hadith and 4.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.

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 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 Al ‑ Baaqir continued to absorb the enormous amount of knowledge made available to him. Participated in the Discourses his father was giving

In his twenties When Al ‑ Baaqir was in his twenties many divergent ideologies emerged in the Islamic world and had to be dealt with and corrected. 1. the Jabriah (Emphasizing Absolute Predestination), 2. the Qadariyah (Emphasizing Absolute free will), 3. the Khariji (deviators), 4. Those of Al ‑ Raa'y (the opinionated), 5. Those of Al ‑ Qiyas, (Users of analogy), and 6. the Murji'ah, (acknowledgers of Benu Umayya legitimacy, but free to criticize them)

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.

The Byzantine Currency 1.The Byzantine emperor was threatening: a.to withdraw the dominant Byzantine currency, thus sabotage the Islamic Ummah b.unless concessions were made by the Muslims, (which were unacceptable). c.Until now the currency in the Muslim world had been predominantly the Byzantine currency. 2. Abdul Malik the Khalifa sends for Al-Baaqir to solve the crisis (the currency problem facing the nation).

Al-Baaqir solves the currency problem Orientalists call it a Stroke of Genius. 1. Stop dealing with the Byzantine currency, 2. Build Muslim currency (coins) instead, a.Inscribe on one side La Ilaaha Illa Allah, b.Inscribe on the other side Muhammad Rasool Allah, c.Stamp the edge of the coin with the date and locality, and d.Have special scales to weigh the gold currency pieces to make sure its accurate worth.

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

Contemporary Khulafaa During his Lifetime, Al-Baaqir was contemporary to the Following Rulers of Benu Umayya Benu Sufyan: 1.Mu'awiya son of Abu Sufyan 2.Yazid son of Mu'awiya 3.Mu'awiya son of Yazid Benu Marwan: 1.Marwan son of Al ‑ Hakam 2.Abdul Malik son of Marwan 3.Waleed son of Abdul Malik 4.Suleiman son of Abdul Malik 5.Omar son of Abdul Aziz 6.Yazid II son of Abdul Malik 7.Hisham son of Abdul Malik

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

The 1st of 3 Phases of Islam PHASE CARRIED OUT BY: TASKS CONSISTING OF: FIRST PHASE Muhammad (pbuh) Emphasis was on teaching Islam in depth, especially to the Sahaaba (Companions), and making Islam available to the maximum number of people—yet, bearing in mind that it would take an average person a long time to assimilate Islam. Therefore, Muhammad (pbuh) did not fight the hypocrites.

The 2 nd of 3 Phases of Islam PHASECARRIED OUT BY: TASKS CONSISTING OF: SECOND PHASE Ali, Al-Hasan, and Al-Husain They were the 3 who were to confront the negative forces caused by Islamicly weak persons which threatened to undermine Islam: Be it during Ali's Khilaafah, Al ‑ Hasan's acceptance of peaceful terms, or the events leading to the explosive but anticipated Karbala as led by Al ‑ Husain.

The 3 rd of 3 Phases of Islam PHASE CARRIED OUT BY: TASKS CONSISTING OF: THIRD PHASE Zainul Abideen and the Imams after him. Zainul Abideen took on his shoulders the heavy task of teaching the scholars (the educational endeavor) once the confrontational phase was over. This culminated by establishing the Islamic Institute (Institute of Ahlul Bayt). The main source of information was the Corpus of Knowledge Imam Ali left. The Institute was to expand and flourish by later Imams.

During Al-Baaqir’s Imamah 1. The institute of Ahlul Bayt grows substantially a.Up to 300 scholars graduate over a period of 18 years b.Graduates write about 100 books 2. Al ‑ Baaqir himself wrote the book of Tafseer, in which he registered numerous Hadiths. 3. Numerous knowledge seekers traveled from far away (and lived in Medina) to attend Al-Baaqir’s discourses 4. He argued with the Kharijis (deviators) and Ghulaat (exaggerationists).

The Institute graduates Educational 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

Corpus of Knowledge Ali’s writings during: Abu Bakr, Omar, and Uthman’s Khilaafah: Corpus of Knowledge consists of the following: 1. Quran in chorological order 2. Tafseer (Mus’haf Fatima) 3. Hadith (Saheefa of Ali) 4. Ah’kaam 5. Al-Jafr a.White Jafr: Prophets and early times b.Red Jafr: Rules of war in Islam

Golden Chain of Narration: (so far) Ali Al-Husain Zainul Abideen Al-Baaqir Al-Hasan

Conditions of the Ummah (at his time) 1. Karbala kept haunting the Ummah 2. Yazid's bloodshed in Medina 3. Devastation done in Mecca 4. Al ‑ Hajjaj in Iraq and Persia 5. Public works and charities exclusively in Syria 6. Syrian Troops in Garrisons all over the Ummah 7. Mawaali Resentment

The Haven to Inquiries Often surrounded by students of different ages, many of them scholars already, Al ‑ Baaqir was the haven to their 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. 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. on the contrary, it was all his to give. Intellectuals of various levels flocked to him, be it at Haj times or others. Intellectuals of various levels flocked to him, be it at Haj times or others. 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.

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. 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. This dynamic Islamic education and its atmosphere brought more into focus what Zainul Abideen had already started years back. 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.

Subjects Taught 1. Tafseer of the Holy Quran. 2. Hadith, as quoted by each Imam from his father, up to Ali, then Muhammad (pbuh). 3. Al ‑ Ah'kaam, which grew with time, since new religious problems were to be solved according to the Shari'ah. 4. Fiqh, as diversified due to the Ij'tihaad of the Jurisprudents. 5. Halal and Haram, 6. Ethics, Mu'aamalaat, among other important Islamic subjects. 7. Irfan (Islamic theological philosophy). 8. Adab: High forms of literature.

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 : a.Religious error, b.Sin, and c.Forgetfulness. Those who ignore the Imamah will have ignored a basic pillar in their faith.

THE PIETY ‑ MINDED COMMUNITY School of Ahlul Bayt School of Ibn Abbas School of Ibn Omar 1. They demanded equity, fairness, and true Islamic practices. 2. cautioned against the self-serving and Islamicly weak people 3. Often they brought Karbala's cause, motives, and conviction to the foreground. 4. They made people aware of the atrocities committed against Ahlul Bayt. 5. Cries to avenge for Imam Al ‑ Husain from the many Mawaali and disadvantaged Arabs.

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

Regions of Religious Movements at the Time of Al-Baaqir IN MEDINA Ahlul Bayt Ibn Abbas Ibn Omar IN SYRIA JabriahQadariyahJama’ah IN KUFA Murji'ahKharijiShi'a IN EGYPT Ibn Abbas Ibn Omar IN BASRAH Murji'ahMu'tazilaKhariji IN KHURASAN Shi'aJama’ahJah'miyyah

Benu Umayya Attitude Apprehensive and insecure, the ruling class (Benu Umayya and their officials), were wary and very edgy about Ahlul Bayt, fearing their influence. Apprehensive and insecure, the ruling class (Benu Umayya and their officials), were wary and very edgy about Ahlul Bayt, fearing their influence. They put surveillance and had many undercover agents against Ahlul Bayt. They put surveillance and had many undercover agents against Ahlul Bayt. The surveillance varied in its intensity from time to time, depending on the degree of insecurity of the ruler, the strength of the administration, and the paranoia of the governors among other things. and the paranoia of the governors among other things. 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.

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 repression of people who voiced any opposition to the Khalifa. Impiety of most rulers, many of whom took to indulgence in prohibited matters. Impiety of most rulers, many of whom took to indulgence in prohibited matters. Manner of taxation of Mawaali (the non ‑ Arabs who embraced Islam) The ill ‑ treatment the Mawaali received at the hands of the government officials, Flagrant ethnic preferences such as: 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. 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.

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 Monarchy imposed by Mu'awiya, and the rule of a Khalifa by military might and the tip of the sword, and the indulgence of these officials in prohibited luxuries. The constant cursing of Imam Ali as a State policy (demanded by Benu Umayya) was deeply resented by people. Bitterness, indignation, and smoldering anger grew with the years. Bitterness, indignation, and smoldering anger grew with the years. the people remembered the numerous Hadiths on behalf of Ali, And the many Quranic Ayahs on behalf of Ali, and the unique position Imam Ali held in Islam. and the unique position Imam Ali held in Islam.

Omar II (son of Abdul Aziz) the Exception Omar II ended the condemnation (cursing) of Imam Ali on the pulpits, something that was having profound negative effect on people. Omar returned Fadak to Ahlul Bayt. Fadak was the property which the Prophet (pbuh) had given to Fatima as inheritance, and was denied her as soon as the Prophet died. Omar II scrupulously accorded the privileges to the old Medina families (Muhajiroon and Ansaar) as Omar Ibn Al ‑ Khattab had granted them previously (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.

Al-Baaqir Advices Omar (son of) Abdul Aziz Pay heed to what company you like to be with when in the presence of your Lord, and Look at what you loathe to be with when you are in His presence Wish not to have a commodity that is of no use to those before you, since it won't be of use to you. O Omar! Open your door to the public, be accessible, be just, and repeal all acts of injustice. With three qualities you will have advanced your faith in Allah: 1. The satisfied person whose satisfaction does not lead him to commit falsehood [wrong doing], 2. The angry person whose anger does not lead him to commit wrong, 3. and The man of power who does not permit his power take what is not his

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

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

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."

Describing his devotees "By Allah our Shi'a are they who obey Allah, are pious, and upright. Our Shi'a are recognized for their modesty, humility, excessive worship, frequent offering of Salat, observance of fast, and they honor their parents. Our Shi'a care for neighbors, the disadvantaged, the needy, the indebted, and the orphans, Our Shi'a always speak the truth, recite the Holy Quran, hold their tongue against speaking ill of others, and Our Shi'a are trustworthy in all matters of social and spiritual relationship. والله ما شيعتنا إلاّ من إتقى الله وأطاعه وما كانوا يُعرَفون إلاّ بالتواضع والتخشع وأداء ألأمانة وكثرةِ ذِكر الله والصوم والصلاة والبرِّ بالوالدين وتعهُّد الجيران منَ الفقراء وذوي المَسْكنةِ والغارمين والأيتام وصِدق الحديث وتلاوة القرآن وكفِّ الألسن عن الناس إلا من خير

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. Imam Al ‑ Baaqir was buried in Al ‑ Baqii, by the burial site of Imam Al ‑ Hasan and Imam Zainul Abideen.

Picture of Al-Baqii Before and After 1925 Al-Baqii after it was destroyed Al-Baqii before 1925

Ziyarah of Al ‑ Baaqir in Baqi’i السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَئِمَّةَ الْهُدَى السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ التَّقْوَى‏ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا الْحُجَجُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا الْقُوَّامُ فِي الْبَرِيَّةِ بِالْقِسْطِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الصَّفْوَةِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ آلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ النَّجْوَى‏ تُطَاعُوا أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ بَلَّغْتُمْ وَنَصَحْتُمْ وَصَبَرْتُمْ فِي ذَاتِ اللَّهِ وَكُذِّبْتُمْ وَأُسِي‏ءَ إِلَيْكُمْ فَغَفَرْتُمْ‏ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ الرَّاشِدُونَ الْمُهْتَدُونَ وَأَنَّ طَاعَتَكُمْ مَفْرُوضَةٌ وَأَنَّ قَوْلَكُمُ الصِّدْقُ‏ وَأَنَّكُمْ دَعَوْتُمْ فَلَمْ تُجَابُوا وَأَمَرْتُمْ فَلَمْ تُطَاعُوا

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……

In Conclusion Al-Baaqir: the one who delved in Islam to its very heart. Discussed was the following: 1. 1.Brief Account of his early life 2. 2.Delved in Quran and its sciences 3. 3.Narrated numerous Hadiths 4. 4.Categorized and classified Faith and Rituals 5. 5.Explained the Halal and Haram in detail 6. 6.His Du’aas and Sayings as the guiding light

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