16. Mohammed al-Jazri
Mohammed b. Mohammed al-Jazri said: "Abu` Ja'far, Mohammed b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib, was called al-Ba`qir, for he split open knowledge. Thus, he knew its apparent and hidden (origins). He was the best of the Ha`shimites in knowledge, outstanding merit, and tradition.
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17. Kama`l al-Din al-Sha`fi'i
Kama`l al-Din al-Sha`fi'i said: "He was the one who split open knowledge (al-baqir) and gathered it. Then he made it famous. His heart was clear. His act was honest. His soul was pure. His morals were noble. His times were spent in Allah's obedience. His foot was steady at the place of devotion. The features of closeness (to Allah) and the purity of kindness appeared on him. Thus, virtues competed with each
other for him, and qualities were noble through him.
3
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1. Roudat al-A'yan fi Mashahir Akhbar al-Zaman.
2. Ghayat al-Nihaya fi Tabaqat al-Qurra', vol. 2, p. 202.
3. Matalib al-Sa'ul fi Manaqib Al-al-Rasul.
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18. Idris al-Qarashi
Idris al-Qarashi said: "Mohammed b. 'Ali (al-Ba`qir) was the first to get the honor of the two origins, and the birth of al-Hasan and al-Husayn came together for him. He grew up on the virtue, purity, leadership, mastership, and knowledge. He followed the behavior of his pure grandfathers. He moved through the degrees of virtues and went deeply into high glorious deeds.
19. Jama`l al-Din
Jama`l al-Din, Yousif b. Taghari Bardi al-Ata`baki, said: "Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) b. 'Ali, Zayn al-'Abidin, b. al-Husayan, b. 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib was the Lord of the Ha`shimites at his time. He was among the Twelve Ima`ms in whose infallibility the Rafida ( the Shi'ites believe.
2
20. Mohammed al-Sabba`n
Mohammed al-Sabba`n said: "As for Mohammed al-Ba`qir, he was the owner of sciences and was the brother of the details and the pleasant things. His miracles appeared. His hints in behavior were many.
He was called al-Ba`qir, for he split open knowledge. Thus, he knew its hidden origin.
3
21. Ibn Abi al-Haddid
'Abd al-Hamid b. Abi al-Haddid said: "Mohammed b. 'Ali al-Ba`qir was the Lord of the Jurists of Hija`z (Saudi Arabia). The people learned jurisprudence from him and his son, Ja'far. He was called al-Ba`qir.
Allah's Apostle nicknamed him so while he was not created yet. He (Allah's Apostle) announced good news to him. He promised Ja`bir to see him.
4
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1. 'Uyyun al-Akhbar wa Funun al-Athar, p. 212.
2. Al-Nijum al-Zahira, vol. 1, p. 273.
3. Is'af al-Raghibin, p. 316.
4. Ibn Abi al-Haddid, Sharh.
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22. Shaykh al-Mufid
Shaykh al-Mufid said: "Al-Ba`qir Mohammed b. 'Ali b. Al-Husayn, peace be on them, was out of (all) his brothers, the successor of his father, 'Ali b. al-Husayn, his testamentary trustee, and the one who undertook the office of Ima`m after him. He surpassed all of them through his outstanding merit in traditional knowledge, asceticism, and leadership. He was the most renowned of them, the one among them who was most esteemed by both non-Shi'a and Shi'a, and the most able of them. None of the sons of al-Hasan and al-Husayn, peace be on them, showed the same ability in knowledge of religion, traditions, the sunna, the knowledge of the Koran, the life of the Prophet, and the techniques of literature, as Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) showed. The surviving Companions (of the Prophet), the leading members of the next generation, and the leaders of the Moslem jurists reported the principal features of religion on his authority. By virtue of his outstanding merit he became a signpost (of knowledge) to his family. Proverbs were coined about him and reports and verses were written to describe him.
1
23. Abu` al-Hasan al-Tubrisi
Shaykh Abu` al-Hasan al-Tubrisi said: "Indeed al-Ba`qir has become famous in the world, for he surpassed the creatures in knowledge, asceticism, and honor. None of the (grand) sons of the Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, showed the same ability in the knowledge of the Koran, the traditions, the life of the Prophet, sciences, wise sayings, and literature, as he showed. The great surviving Companions (of the Prophet), the leading members of the next generation, and the jurists of the Moslems visited him frequently. The reporters of the traditions narrated that Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, called him Ba`qir al-'Ilm (the one who splits open knowledge).
2
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1.Al-Mufid, al-Irshad, p. 293.
2. Alam al-Wara bi Alam al-Huda, p. 268.
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24. Ta`jj al-Din
Ta`jj al-Din b. Mohammed, the head of Aleppo, said: "Abu` Ja'far, Ba`qir al-'Ilm (the one who splits open knowledge), was the first for whom the birth of al-Hasan and al-Husayn came together. He had vast knowledge and plentiful clemency. Many traditions and abundant knowledge were reported on his authority.
1
25. Mahmu`d b. Whayb
Mahmu`d b. Whayb al-Baghdadi said: "His name al-Ba`qir was derived from baqara al-ard, meaning split open the ground and brought to light its hidden things. Thus, he brought to light the hidden things of the treasures of sciences, the facts of legal precepts and wisdom, and the pleasant things. He made them so clear that nobody misunderstands them except those with bad insight and corrupt interior. Concerning him, it was said that he split open knowledge and gathered it. He made famous his knowledge and raised it. Thus, his heart was clear. His knowledge and his deed were honest. His soul was pure. His morals were noble. His times were full of Allah's obedience. So, describers' tongues fall short of depicting his marks in the positions of the gnostic.
2
26. 'Abba`s al-Makki
Sayyid 'Abba`s b. 'Ali al-Makki said: "Al-Ba`qir is among the Twelve Ima`ms with the Ima`mi (Shi'a). He was a great scholar. He was called al-Ba`qir, for he widely split open knowledge.
3
27. Sayyid Ka`zim al-Yama`ni
Sayyid Ka`zim al-Yama`ni said: "Ima`m al-Ba`qir was the second grandson (of the Prophet)
and the Fifth Infallible Ima`m in the opinion
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1. Ghayat al-Ikhtisar, p. 401.
2. Jawhart al-Kamal fi Madh al-Sada al-A'lam, p. 132.
3. Nazhat al-Jalis, vol. 2, p. 36.
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of those who believe in that. (He was) the fourth pious one in the opinion of all Moslem legal scholars. It was he who was given the kunya of Abu` Ja'far.
1
28. Ibn Taymiya
Ibn Taymiya said: "Mohammed al-Ba`qir was the greatest of all the people in asceticism and worship. The prostration (in prayer) split open his forehead. He was the most knowledgeable of the people of his time. Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, named him al-Ba`qir.
2Ibn Taymiya mentioned the tradition which Ja`bir reported. However, he refrained from what he said. He denied that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, nicknamed (Mohammed) al-Ba`qir. He said: "(This tradition) has no origin with the people of knowledge. Rather, it is among the fabricated traditions.
3 Surely, b. Taymiya bore malice and hatred against the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, and their followers. He ascribed all stories and fables to them. Indeed Allah, knowledge, and history will punish him for that. Perhaps the greatest punishment that has afflicted him is that all historians mistrust all his writings.
29. Al-Shaykhani
'Abd al-Qa`dir al-Shaykhani said: "Mohammed al-Ba`qir was the most famous of all the people of his time, the most perfect of them in outstanding merits, and the greatest of them in nobility. None showed at his time the same ability in the knowledge of religion, traditions, the knowledge of the Koran, the life of the Prophet, and the techniques of literature, as he showed.
4
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1. Al-Nafha al-'Anbariya.
2. Minhajj al-Sunna, vol. 2, pp. 114-115.
3. Ibid, p. 123.
4. Al-Sirat al-Sawi, p. 194.
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30. Al-Majlisi
Shaykh al-Majlisi said: "None of the sons of al-Hasan and al-Husayn showed the same ability in sciences, the interpretation (of the Koran), theology, religious opinions, the lawful, and the unlawful, as he (al-Ba`qir) showed. The surviving Companions (of the Prophet), the leading members of the next generation, and the leaders of the Moslem jurists reported the principal features of religion on his authority. Among the Companions (of the Prophet) was Ja`bir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansa`ri. Among the leading members of the next generation were Ja`bir b. Yazid al-Ju'fi, and Kaysan al-Sakhtya`ni, the leader of the Sufis. Among the jurists were b. al-Muba`rak, al-Zuhri, al-Awza'i, Abi Hanifa, Ma`lik, al-Sha`fi'i, Zyya`d b. al-Mundhir, and al-Nahdi. Among the authors were al-Tabari, al-Bala`dhari, and al-Kha`tib, in their books called 'Ta`rikh'. (The principal features of religion have been also reported on his authority in various books, such as:) al-Muwatti', Sharaf al-Mustafa`, al-Ibana, Hulyat al-Awliya', al- Sinan by Abi Da`uwd, al-Musnad by Abi Hanifa, al-Targhib by al-Asfaha`ni, al-Basit by al-Wa`hidi, al-Tafsir by al-'Ayya`shi, (al-Tafsir) by al-Zumakhshari, and Ma'rifat al-Usu`l by al-Sama'a`ni. They said:' Mohammed b. 'Ali. ' Perhaps they said:' Mohammed al-Ba`qir.
1
The speech of al-Majlisi refers to the scientific aspect of the character of the great Ima`m, who encompassed all the sciences. Thus, the Moslem scholars studied jurisprudence, history, interpretation (of the Koran), and the techniques of maxims and literature under him. This played an important role in developing Islamic thought.
31. Al-Nawawi
Al-Nawawi said: "(Mohammed) al-Ba`qir was a leading member of the next generation. He was a skillful Ima`m. (The Moslem scholars) have unanimously agreed on his greatness. He was numbered among the jurists and Ima`ms of Medina.
2
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1. Bihar al-Anwar,vol. 11, p. 84.
2. Tahdhib al-Lughat wa al-Asma', vol. 1, p. 87.
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32. Abu` Zar'a
Abu Zar'a said: "Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir) was among the greatest scholars.
1
33. Ibn 'Anba
Jama`l al-Din, Ahmed b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn b. al-Muhanna` b. 'Anba, said: "Mohammed al-Ba`qir had vast knowledge and plentiful clemency. His great position is more famous than calling
(someone's) attention to it.
2
34. 'Ali b.'Isa al-Arbali
The minister, 'Ali b. 'Isa al-Arbali, talked about the high behavior of Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him. Then he ended his talk, saying: "Indeed al-Ba`qir's virtues are too many to count, and his outstanding merits are too high to encompass. When his glorious deed are numbered, glorious and laudable
deeds prostrate themselves before them. That is because his honor surpassed the limit and reached the end. His great rank overcame security and reached the highest degree. His place in knowledge and act raised a thousand banners for him. How many a mark of righteousness, an expression of leadership, a sign of generosity, enthusiasm,
noble rank, high lineage, glorious origin, purity of mother and father he had. He learned liberality and purity through the strongest means. If he competed with the sky for highness, he would be higher than it. If he wanted the stars in their zenith, he would attain them.
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35. Ahmed Fahmi
Shaykh Ahmed Fahmi said : "Ima`m al-Ba`qir is the fifth Ima`m with the Ima`mi (Shi'a). He , may Allah be blessed with him, was the most truthful of all the people, the best of them in splendor, and the most wonderful of them in language.
4
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1. A'yan al-Shi'a \, Q1/4/485.
2. 'Umdat al-Talib, vol. 2, p. 29.
3. Kashf al-Ghumma, vol. 2, p. 363.
4. Imam Zayn al-'Abidin, p. 18.
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36. Farid Wajdi
Farid Wajdi said: "Al-Ba`qir was a noble scholar and great lord. He was called al-Ba`qir because he split open knowledge widely.
1
37. Abu` Zahrah
Shaykh Abu` Zahrah said : "His (Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin's) son, Mohammed (al-Ba`qir), was his heir in leading knowledge and obtaining guidance. So the scholars from all the Islamic countries came to him. All those who visited Medina went to Mohammed al-Ba`qir's house to learn from him.
2
38. Al-Talmasa`ni
Al-Talmasa`ni said: "Mohammed b. 'Ali b. al-Husayn b. Abi Ta`lib was Ima`m Ja'far al-Sa`diq's father. He was called al-Ba`qir because he went deeply into knowledge. He was a just, reliable member of the next generation and famous Imam.
3
39. 'Abd al-Qa`dir al-Halabi
Abd al-Qa`dir al-Halabi said : "Al-Ba`qir was the first 'Alid who was between two 'Alids. He was a member of the next generation with a great rank. He was a skillful Ima`m. (The Moslem scholars) have unanimously agreed on his Ima`mate and his greatness. (They) numbered him as one of the jurists and Ima`ms of Medina.
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These are some of the words which the great scholars and researchers made concerning Ima`m al-Ba`qir. They have recorded their admiration for the character of the Ima`m. They have also revealed some
dimensions of his bright life. Among them are the following:
1. Ima`m al-Ba`qir surpassed all the scholars of his time in knowledge and outstanding merits. No one was similar to him in
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1. Wajjdi, Da'rat al-Ma'ari, vol. 3, p. 563.
2. Al-Imam al-Sadiq, p. 22.
3. Al-Khafaji, Sharh al-Shafa, vol. 1, p. 292.
4. Al-Hadith al-Mufahhas 'an Sharaf Nasl al-Imam 'Ali, p. 139.
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scientific abilities and talents. He surpassed in outstanding merit and knowledge his brothers, the children of his uncles, and all the children of the Prophetic family who were the source of light and awareness in the earth.
2. The scholars of his time lowered themselves before him. They recognized his high scientific rank and his high authority for the Islamic world.
3. Ima`m al-Ba`qir had vast knowledge not only in Islamic jurisprudence but also in all sciences, such as theology, philosophy, interpretation (of the Koran), history, maxims, and literature. With that he became the bright signpost of Islamic sciences.
4. He brought to light the hidden origins of some sciences, which the people did not know.
5. He was the first pioneer of the scientific movement of his time. Thus, the scholars quoted from his pure knowledge. The researchers, the authors, and the writers took from his vast sciences.
6. He conformed to religion very much. He was very pious and feared Allah to the extent that he became one of the Ima`ms of the pious and the repentant.
