Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, had all the noble qualities that made him appropriate for undertaking the spiritual and the temporal leadership of this community. Each of his qualities raised him to the top which no one reaches except the unique people of the time. He was as the poet said:
He was from the Ha`shimites whose glory was as high as the
sky.
They made the people die of jealousy.
They were the people for whom Allah wanted the noble qualities of religion and this world to be without time.
Through his abilities and his talents the Ima`m was distinguished from the great men and the reformers. He was distinguished by his outstanding merits and his immortal deeds. He was distinguished by his clear lineage. He was distinguished by all that though which man becomes high. Among the things by which he was distinguished are as follows:
His Ima`mate
Allah endowed him with the Ima`mate and singled him out with the general authority on behalf of his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. He was among his successors and his trustees whom the Prophet regarded as life-boats, the security of people, related to the Koran, and appointed as signposts (of knowledge) for his community to protect it from divisions, discords, and crises.
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The Prophet, may bless him and his family, took intense precautions for the affair of his community. He appealed it not to be behind the caravan of the communities and the nations. He wanted glory and dignity for it. He wanted it to be the best community that was brought forth for the people. Thus, he took much care of the Caliphate and Ima`mate. He summoned the people to take care of it more than he summoned them to take care of any other religious obligations. That is because it is the solid base for developing his community in the intellectual, social, and political fields. He confined it to the pure Ima`ms from the members of his House, who did not yield in all conditions to any material desire. Rather they preferred Allah's obedience and the interest of the community to all things.
Ima`m al-Ba`qir, peace be on him talked about his Ima`mate subjectively and inclusively. We will mention it when we talk about his intellectual and scientific heritage. As for his Ima`mate, the general and the private nominations indicated it. Among them was the nomination of Ima`m ('Ali), the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, and the Ima`mate of the pure Ima`ms after him.
1 There are other nominations for his Ima`mate. We will mention them in the chapters that follow.
Infallibility
Among the highest qualities of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far(al-Ba`qir), peace be on him, were infallibility and purity from deviation and atrocities.
Indeed, infallibility is a favor from Allah, the Most High. He grants it to whomever He wills from His servants whose hearts He tests with belief , whom He purifies and chooses to carry out His message and reform His creatures. Infallibility is among the firm beliefs with the Shi'ites, and one of the basic principles for the Ima`mate with them. We will talk briefly about it:
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1. Al-Saffar, Basar'ir al-Darajat, p. 108.
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The Definition of Infallibility
The Shi'ite theologians gave various definitions of infallibility. Among them is the definition of Shaykh al-Mufid. He defined it as follows: Infallibility means refraining willingly from committing sins and abominations during the favor which Allah, the Most High, does for the person. The person who is singled out with the favor refrains from sins and leaving disobedience willingly.
1 Concerning the definition of infallibility, scholar al-Hilli said: "It is a favor from Allah. He grants it to the person. With that, the person has no excuse to leave obedience and commit sins willingly."
2The Shaykh of the sect, Shaykh Tu`si, defined it : "Infallibility means that the person refrains from sins when he is able to commit them.
In the light of these definitions, infallibility is the absolute perfection of the soul, its perfect freedom from all the inclinations of desire, conceit, and recklessness, and refraining from committing any crime or sin whether intentionally or unintentionally. It is natural that no one is distinguished by that except him whom Allah chooses to convey His message and to guide His creatures, whether the person is a prophet or an Ima`m.
The Evidence for Infallibility
The Shi'ites produced enough undoubtable evidence in support of the infallibility of the Ima`m. Hisham b. al-Hakam, a Shi'ite theologian, produced wonderful evidence in support of infallibility. He said : "Indeed there are four reasons for sins. There is no fifth reason for them. These reasons are: envy, anger, miserliness, and desire. The Ima`m had none of these qualities. It is impossible for the Ima`m to be miserly
for this world, for this world was under his ring. He was the trustee of the property of the Moslems. So, why was he miserly? It was impossible for him to be envious. That is because the person envies those who are superior to him. There was no one superior to him. So, why did he envy those who were inferior to him?
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1. Sharh 'Aqa'id al-Saduq, p. 114.
2. Tawfiq al-Tatbiq, p. 16.
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It was impossible for him to be angry for a certain affair of this world. However, it was possible for him to be angry for Allah, the Great and Almighty. That is because Allah made it incumbent on the Ima`m to put punishments into practice. It was impossible for him (the Ima`m) to follow desires and prefer this world to the next world. That is because Allah made desirable the next world for him, as He made desirable this world for us. So, the Imam looked at the hereafter, as we look at this world. Thus, have you ever seen a person who prefers an ugly face to a pretty face, bitter food to delicious food, rough clothes to smooth clothes, and close immortal blessing to transient mortal world?
1
The Shi'ites produced enough reliable, rational and traditional evidence in support of the necessary infallibility of the Ima`ms. Their theological books are full of them.
2 Donna Ledson said: "The Shi'ite idea of infallibility has developed Islamic theology. Thanks to them for studying this matter not only in Islam but also in all the other religions.
3 They were the first to open the door of scientific argument and conversation based on the rational proofs that have fixed the affairs of their basic principles in the Ima`mate.
Doubts and Imaginations
Many doubts and imaginations have been raised about infallibility. The Shi'ites have been accused of inactivity and exaggeration. Those who criticized them said: "Indeed the Ima`ms were like other people. They obeyed Allah and disobeyed him. They committed sins intentionally or unintentionally. There was no difference between them and other people.
I firmly believe that the violent attacks against the cleaving of Shi'ites to the infallibility of their Ima`ms were launched to justify the
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1.'Aqidat al-Shi'a, p. 317.
2. Al-'Allam al-Hilli, al-Alfayn.
Al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Awa'il al-Maqalat fi al-Madhahib al-Mukhtara.
Al-'Allam al-Hilli, Minhajj al-Karama.
3. Nazariyat al-Imama lada al-Shi'a al-Ithna 'Ashariya, p. 134.
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Umayyad and the 'Abba`sid kings who had given themselves great qualities and noble titles. They claimed that they were the servants of the religion and the caliphs of Allah in his earth. Still, they committed sins and crimes. Therefore, infallibility is not a condition for him who undertakes the affairs of Moslems. The Shi'ites have intensely denied that. They believe that the caliphate of those kings was illegal. That is because their deeds did not agree with the simplest rules of the Islamic religion. In other words, they went too far in practicing prostitution, amusement, and impudence. Moreover, their palaces became theaters for amusement, dance, and corruption. Thus, the poet said concerning al-Mahdi, the 'Abba`sid Caliph,:
Banu Umayya (the sons of Umayya), wake up,
for your sleep has become long.
Indeed the Caliph is Ya'qub b. Da`uwd.
O People, your caliphate has become lost.
Look for Allah's caliph between the flute and the lute.
The desire controlled the Caliph. Thus, he was between the flute and the lute. So, was it possible for him to be the Ima`m of the Moslems and caliph of Allah in the earth?
Islam took great care of the affair of the Islamic caliphate. That is because it is the important center for the happiness of the Moslems, their progress, and the development of their life. Thus, it is illogical to call those kings the caliphs of Allah in His earth, and His trustees (of authority) over His servants. Besides it is illogical to believe in the legality of their caliphate.
The Shi'ites believe in the infallibility of their Ima`ms, for their Ima`ms were the most high example of man's perfection. The historians have unanimously agreed on that none of the Ima`ms deviated from the right path or disobeyed Allah's orders and prohibitions. Didn't Ima`m ('Ali), the Commander of the Faithful,
peace be on him, say: "By Allah, if I was given the seven regions and what is under their orbits to disobey Allah through taking a grain of barley from the mouth of a locust, I would not do (that). "This is the infallibility which the Shi'ites ascribe to their Ima`ms, peace be on
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them. Thus, there is neither inactivity nor exaggeration in this infallibility. Rather it was agreeing with the reality that indicated the behavior the Ima`ms of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, who conformed intensely to the affairs of their religion, and preferred Allah's obedience to all things. Thus, the Holy Book has denoted their infallibility and their purity from deviation and sins. Allah, the Most High, said: "Allah only wants to keep away the uncleanliness from you, the members of the House, and purify you thoroughly. "The Great Prophet joined them to the Koran. He, may Allah bless him and his family, said: I leave behind me among you two things which, if you cleave to them, you will never go astray that is the Book of Allah and my offspring from my family. They will never scatter (from you) till they lead you to me at the (sacred) waters of (Heaven). Falsehood does not come to the Holy Book from before it nor does it comes to it from behind it. Such is the pure family (of the Prophet). Otherwise the comparison between the is incorrect.
His Clemency
As for clemency, it was the most prominent quality of Ima`m Abu` Ja'far (al-Ba`qir), peace be on him. The historians have unanimously agreed that the Ima`m did not mistreat those who wronged him and were
aggressive towards him. Rather he forgave them and treated them kindly. The historians have reported many examples of his clemency. Among them are:
1. An adherent of a revealed religion (kitabi) attacked the Ima`m, was aggressive towards him, and addressed him with bitter words: "You are baqar (cows).
However, the Ima`m treated him kindly. He smiled at him, saying: "No, I am Ba`qir.
The adherent went on attacking the Ima`m, saying: "You are the son of the cook.
The Ima`m smiled at him. This aggression did not excite him. Rather he said to him: "That is her job.
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Still the adherent went on attacking the Ima`m, saying:
You are the son of the black woman....
The Ima`m did not become angry. Rather he treated him kindly, saying:
If you are truthful, may Allah forgive you. If you are a liar, may Allah forgive you.
Thus, the adherent admired the Ima`m's high morals that marked the morals of the prophets. Then he became Moslem.
1
2. Among those wonderful examples of his clemency is a Syrian attended his assembly, listened to his lectures and admired them. Then the Syrian walked towards the Ima`m, saying: "Mohammed, I am afraid of your assembly. I do not love you. I say: No one is more hateful with me than you, the members of the House. I know that the obedience of Allah and the obedience of the Commander of the Faithful is through your hate. However, I think that you are an eloquent man with morals and good utterance. I visit you frequently
because of your good manners!
However, the Ima`m treated him kindly. Then the Syrians became righteous. He loved the Ima`m and followed him. He became a friend of the Ima`m till death came to him. Thus, he asked the Ima`m to pray over him.
2
Through these high morals, the Ima`m followed the example of his grandfather, the Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who could with his standard morals bring the hearts together, unify the feelings and the sentiments, and make the people follow the word of monotheism while they had been groups and parties. "Each party is rejoicing in that which is with them.
His Patience
Patience was among the personal qualities of the pure Ima`ms from the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them.
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1. A'yan al-Shi'a, 4/Q1/504.
2. Bihar al-Anwar, vol.11, p. 66.
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Indeed they were patient through the hardships of time and the misfortunes of the days. They bore the misfortunes which the creatures were unable to bear. At the plateau of Karbala`', Ima`m Husayn, peace be on him, received the exhausting misfortunes, saying: "O Lord, I am patient towards Your decree. There is no god but You. "Ima`m al-Ba`qir, like his grandfathers, was patient towards the hardships and the misfortunes, of which are the following:
1. (The people of) authority disparaged his pure grandfathers. They cursed them openly on the pulpits and through the minarets (of the mosques). He , peace be on him, listened to that. However, he was
unable to say even a word. He restrained his anger. He entrusted the affair to Allah to judge among his servants with the truth.
2. Among the hard misfortunes which the Ima`m endured was the headmen from the hirelings
of the Umayyad authority who tortured severely and killed the followers of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. However, the Ima`m was unable to say even a word. That is because (the Umayyad) authority kept an intense eye on him. They surrounded him with their secret agents. They did not respond to any request from him concerning the affair of his followers.
3. Concerning the Ima`m's great patience, the historians reported that while he was sitting with his companions, he heard a loud cry from his house. One of his servants hurried to him and told him secretly (about the accident). However, the Ima`m, peace be on him, said to the servant: "Praise belongs to Allah for what he has given and praise belongs to Him for what he has taken. Prevent them from weeping. Prepare him for burial. Ask her to be calm and tell her: 'No harm will hit you. You are free for Allah because of the fear that has controlled you.
Then the Ima`m went back to his conversation. The people were unable to ask him (about the accident). Then his servant came to him and said to him: `We have prepared him for burial.' Thus, the Ima`m ordered his companions to pray over his son and to bury him. He told his companions concerning his son and said to them: ' He fell off a
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slave-girl who was carrying him and died.
1 States change and civilizations perish while these 'Alid morals are immortal, for they represent the honor of humanity and its noble values.
4. The historians said: "The Ima`m had a son. The son became ill. Thus, the Ima`m feared for his safety, for he loved him very much. Then the son died. So, the patience of the Ima`m became calm. Thus, it was said to him:'We fear for your safety, son of the Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family.' However, the Ima`m answered with calmness and satisfaction with the decree of Allah, saying: 'Indeed we pray to Allah in what He loves. If what we hate occurs, we do not oppose Allah in what He loves.
2
Surely, the Ima`m habituated himself to patience. He faced the misfortunes of the world and the disasters of time with strong will and firm belief. He endured the misfortunes without boredom, for he was desirous of the reward from Allah.
His Honoring the Poor
Among his high morals was that he glorified the poor and raised their position lest the people should see the abasement of the need on them. The historians said: "He ordered his family not to say to the beggar: 'Beggar, take this.' Rather he ordered them to say: 'Servant of Allah, you are blessed.
3
He also ordered them to call the beggars with their best names.
4
Surely, they are the morals of the Prophet, who came to make man high, to supply him with glory and dignity, and to save him from submission and abasement.
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1. 'Uyun al-Akhbar wa Funun al-Athar, p. 218.
2. Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 51, p. 52, Ibn Qutayba, 'Uyyun al-Akhbar, vol. 3, p. 57.
3. 'Uyyun al-Akhbar, vol. 3, p. 208.
4. Al-Bayan wa al-Tabiyyin, p. 158.
5. A'yan al-Shia, Q1/4/472.
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His Releasing the Slaves
The great Ima`m was fond of releasing the slaves and saving them from enslavement. He released a family of eleven slaves.
1 He had sixty slaves. He released one-third of them when he was about to die.
2
His Spending on his Companions
The most enjoyable thing for the Ima`m in this world was spending on his companions. He
did not tire of spending on them and those who came to him and hoped from him.
3Moreover, he entrusted his son al-Sa`diq to spend on his companions and his students. For he wanted them to devote themselves to proclaiming knowledge among the people.
