The Seventh Infallible – Hazrat Imam Mohammad Baqi

    The fifth Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) was born on the 1st of Rajab , year 57th Hijrah , in the city of Medina. Because of his resemblance to his grandfather he was named Mohammad and because he could analyse scientific facts and reveal its secrets he became known with the Title of "Baqir". His father was Hazrat Sajjad (A.S.) and mother Fatima who was one of the daughters of Imam Hassan (A.S.). He was the first Imam (A.S.) whose lineage ascended and reached the prophet (P.B.U.H.) from both paternal and maternal sides.
    The story of his life can be divided into two parts. 1. The period before his Imamate which was nearly 35 years and was the peaceful part of his life , led in Medina. 2. The Period of Imamate which lasted twenty years , and was the time of the spread of Islamic knowledge and sciences.
    Imam Mohammad Baqir always put on new and clean clothes. He perfumed himself and walked very comfortably , slowly and steadily. One day , some narrow minded person criticized him saying: "your grandfather Ali (A.S.) used old and cheap clothes so why do you put on clean and new ones? He replied : "In those days all the people were poor and Ali (A.S.) ought to have used old clothes and simple food. But today the people are leading their lives in comfort and luxury , hence , I should not use those clothes. The act of my grandfather in those days , was according to justice and leadership and my action and way of life today is also in accordance to the norms of justice and leadership".
    Of his manners and training , is written that he never laughed loudly and always spoke in a calm and respectable way. He never became furious and enraged and with whomsoever he met he would respect him and shake hands with him and say "this act of shaking hands brings the hearts close to each other and puts an end to enmities and hostilities." Although Imam (A.S.) used to cry much during his confidential conversation with God , but he never wept loudly. Whenever he spoke he would start and end his talk with the name of God.
    He had gardens and fields in abundance but he himself visited them like a farmer and shared the work with the labourers and workers , had food with them , and talked to them. He was a master who had close working relations with his servants.
    Whatever agricultural products he received from his gardens and fields he would give them away in the name of God. He fulfilled all the needs and requirements of his workers. to such extent that he was one of the most generous men of his time in Hijaz.
    Sheikh Mufid has written about Imam (A.S.) , "He was familiar with all the branches of knowledge and science. He led his life being obedient to God. He was extremely pious strongly honored his word , promises , and commitments. His high spirits, open heartedness, spiritual purity and humanly conducts made all and sundry love him. And through his personality and actions he trained them in Islamic ethics.
    Ibn-e Hajar , who was a prejudiced Sunni scholar wrote about Imam"s (A.S.) character "Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) had a clean , pure heart. His speech and talk was harmonies and in accordance with his practice. His conduct and dealing with people was humanly and Islamic. He was a great and an unmatched worshiper. He was so rich in human qualities that I do not have the means and capacity to praise him."
    One of his servants said about him , "Once I accompanied his graciousness to Mecca. When Imam (A.S.) sighted the house of God (kaaba). He wept so much that he became feeble and nerveless I said to him , "Why do you weep so much?" He said , "perhaps God may become kind to me because of these tears and tomorrow (on justice day) He may bless me with salvation.
    Then Imam stood for his prayers and lengthened the prostration. When he picked his head up , the place of prostration was wet with tears from his eyes."