Talents and Genius of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as)

The talents and genius of Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, resulted in great abilities of knowledge that included all sciences, such as the tradition, philosophy, theology, jurisprudence, high maxims, and standard morals.

Moreover, it included the events the Imam had predicted before they occurred. Then they happened on the arena of life. His knowledge was vast. Though the scholars learned a lot of his pure knowledge, he found narrowness in himself because of his many sciences for which he found no way to proclaim. He, as the narrators said, heaved deep sighs and said with grief:

“If I found (carriers) for my knowledge which Allah, the Great and Almighty, has given to me, I would proclaim monotheism, Islam, religion, and Islamic laws. How can I do that? My grandfather, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, found no carriers for his knowledge for his knowledge. Thus, he sighed deeply on the pulpit and said: ‘Question me before you lose me, for there is much knowledge among the ribs.’”

The historians and the narrators have unanimously agreed that the Imam was the richest of all the thinkers and the scholars of his time in scientific abilities and talents. Besides, the biographers have mentioned that he proclaimed knowledge and discovered its treasures and facts, as we have mentioned in the previous chapters. Before discussing the sciences which he discovered, it is necessary for us to present some important points concerning the topic.

The Scientific Life at his Time

The scientific movement at the time of the Imam was afflicted with much inactivity and dullness. In other words, it had no shade on the arena of life. That is because the political parties turned the people away from knowledge. The high houses pounced upon winning the government. So, they threw their human and financial powers into astonishing, horrible, violent battles that afflicted the community with heavy causalities and disasters.

The members of the community launched armed attacks against each other. So, they turned away from knowledge and thought. In other words, they abandoned that light which Islam brought for mankind, and abandoned its orders to follow it to achieve their aims in life, such as security, welfare, and development.

Jurisprudence

As for the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, most of it was taken from the two Imams al-Baqir and his son al-Sadiq, peace be on them. The Imami jurisprudence encyclopedias – such as al-Hada’iq, al-Jawahir, and Mustamsak al-‘Urwat al-Withqa- are full of the traditions reported on their authority. Imami jurists depend on them when they conclude legal precepts and give religious opinions. As for traditions in the encyclopedias- such as Wasa’il al-Shi‘a, al-Tahdhib, Man La Yahdarahu al-Faqih, and the like- most of them were taken from them. These encyclopedias are regarded as important references for Islamic jurisprudence, for they are wonderful and rich in traditions.

Imam al-Baqir and his son al-Sadiq, peace be on them, did their best to proclaim Islamic jurisprudence. They took care of it at the time when the Muslim community was absorbed in the political events. Moreover, the governments at those times neglected completely religious affairs. Thus, Muslim communities were unable to understand their religious affairs. Dr. ‘Ali Hasan said: “When we studied the historical texts, we have concluded many examples of this phenomenon (i. e. neglecting religious affairs) that included rulers, scholars, and people in the first century. By that we mean that they had no knowledge of religious affairs and were irresolute in them even in worship. Among that is when b. ‘Abbas delivered a sermon on the pulpit of Basrah in the end of (the month) of Ramadan. He said: ‘Take out the alms of your fasting.’ However, the people did not know that. Thus, he said: ‘Is there anybody from Medina here? Let him stand up to teach his bothers, for they do not know anything about the obligatory zakat fitir.’[1]

This proves that the people in the Muslim countries did not know in detail their religious affairs. Moreover, the Syrians did not know even the number of the obligatory ritual prayers. So, they asked the Companions (of the Prophet) about it.[2] ‘Umar b. Abd al-‘Aziz did not know the times of the prayers. Some scholars did not know either. They thought that there was a certain year for that. However, the government opposed that. For this reason, it has been mentioned in the tradition: ‘Rulers will come in the rest of time. They will deaden the prayers. Therefore, perform the prayers at their limited times.’ The early historians were unable to explain this condition for us, for they found imposed ways before them. That was the Umayyads had changed the times of the prayers according to their opinions.

“Indeed, during the time of the Umayyads, who paid no attention to religious affairs, the people had little knowledge of jurisprudence and religious affairs. No one knew these religious affairs except the people of Medina.”[3]”[4]

Imam al-Baqir and Imam al-Sadiq played an important role in proclaiming jurisprudence and explaining the rules of Allah’s law. They offered a great service for the Muslim world. Were it not for them, Muslims would lose their great religious wealth.

However, during those times, no one was more knowledgeable than the two Imams, peace be on them, in the affairs of the Islamic law and the precepts of religion. So, the children of the Companions (of the Prophet) and of the next generation, and the heads of the Islamic doctrines-like Abu Hanifa and Malik- hurried to the two Imams to learn sciences from them. A large group of jurists- like Zarara b. A‘yun, Muhammad b. Muslim, and Aban b. Taghlub- studied under Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him. Thanks to them the Imam’s traditions were written. Besides they gave religious opinions to the Muslims. With that Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, was able to renew Islam and preserve the religious wealth.

Worth mentioning, the Shi‘ites were the first to write down jurisprudence. Mustafa ‘Abd al-Razaq said: “It is natural that the Shi‘ites were the first to record jurisprudence, for their belief in the infallibility of their Imams urged them to write down their judgments and religious opinions.”[5] With that the Shi‘ites took part in preserving the Islamic heritage. It is necessary for us to consider carefully the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them. That is because they took it from the great Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family.

Its Characteristics

The jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, has wonderful characteristics. They have put it in the top of Islamic and non-Islamic jurisprudence. The following are some of them:

Its Connection by the Prophet (may Allah bless him and his family)

The important characteristic of the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, is that it is directly connected by the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. That is because the way to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, were the Imams of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, from whom Allah took away uncleanliness, whom He purified thoroughly, and whom the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, regarded as life boats, safety for people, and equal to the Holy Quran, according to the successive traditions reported on his authority.

Without doubt, they, peace be on them, were the closest of all the people to Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, and the most knowledgeable of them in his law and its rules. So, their narration, if it is reported on their authority in a correct way, is the most correct of all narrations and the nearest of them to reality. This urged the Imami jurists to rely only on the narrations of the Imams in concluding legal precepts. That is because the Imams’ narrations have reliable original proofs on which jurisprudence depends.

Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, talked about the narrations of the Imams, peace be on them. He said that the traditions did not belong to them. Rather, they belonged to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. He, peace be on him, said: “If we talked according to our opinions, then we would go astray as those who had gone astray before us. However, we talk according to the proof which Allah explained to His prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, so the latter explained it to us.”[6]

He was asked about the tradition which he mentioned and did not attribute to (a certain authority). So, he, peace be on him, said: “When I mention a tradition and do not ascribe it (to a certain a authority), then my authority concerning it is my father Zayn al-‘Abidin on the authority of his father al-Husayn, the martyr, on the authority of his father ‘Ali b. Abi Talib, on the authority of Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, on the authority of Gabriel on the authority of Allah.”[7] Is there an authority brighter or more correct than this authority? Can the Muslim who seeks Allah’s pleasure and the hereafter find a way safer than this way to Allah?

Its Flexibility

The jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, goes along with life, keeps abreast with development, does not deviate from the natural disposition, and meets all needs of life. Praise belongs to Allah. In it there is neither sin nor narrowness nor harm nor mischief. Rather, it contains general interests and balanced rules. All of the jurists have admired it. They have testified that it is rich in deep genus and creative legislation.

Indeed the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, helps researchers find the legislative power that leads people to cultural scientific development. It is a proof for absolute justice and pure truth, for it has solutions for all the problems of society.

It has opened a Door to Ijtihad

The jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, is distinguished from the rest of Islamic jurisprudence by opening a door to Ijtihad (concluding religious opinions). That proves the originality of the jurisprudence of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), its reaction with life, and its continuous solutions to man’s affairs in general. In other words it gives solutions to new discoveries and inventions which people face at this time, such as artificial vaccination and transplanting organs. The great Muslim scholars of al-Azhar have felt that they are in need of opening a door to Ijtihad. Thus, they have supported the Shi‘ites in this respect. Ahmed Amin said: “The Muslims have showed their feebleness when they have believed in closing the door to Ijtihad. That is because there will be no qualified mujtahid (one who gives religious opinions) among the people. This is the opinion of some of those who imitate (others), for their confidence in themselves is weak, and they mistrust the people.”[8]

Sayyid Rasheed Ridha’ said: “We think that there is no advantage in leaving Ijtihad. As for the harms of leaving Ijtihad, they are many. All that has resulted from neglecting intellect, stopping the way of knowledge, and refraining from exploiting thinking. Indeed the Muslims have neglected all knowledge when they have abandoned Ijtihad. So, they have come to what we see.”[9]

Indeed Islam, praise be to Allah, blames intellect for inactivity. It summons man to enter the fields of thinking and knowledge. It is not an act of wisdom to close the door to Ijtihad to impose imitation (on people). Ijtihad is possible. It depends on logic and proof. As for closing the door to Ijtihad, it was at a certain time. The governments standing at those times imposed it (on people), as the researchers said.

It resorts to the Judgment of Reason

The Imami jurists, unlike the jurists of the other Islamic doctrines, have regarded reason as one of the four fundamentals (necessary for) concluding religious precepts. They have glorified it to the extent that they have regarded it as Allah’s inward messenger, among the things with which (Allah), the Merciful is worshipped, and through steadfastness is obtained. It is natural (for jurists) to resort to the judgment of reason when they have no tradition concerning the problem. Indeed reason occupies a large area in the science of fundamentals on which Ijtihad depends.

Muslim jurists rely on this science to conclude religious opinions. In the light of the judgment of reason they have decided that the premise of the obligation is obligatory, and that the order to carry out a certain thing calls for forbidding the opposite thing. They have decided that the absolute conjecture is a proof according to the judgment (of reason), not according to the discovery. When they face two opposite traditions, they resort to the judgment of reason. When reason confirms one of them, they adopt it. Moreover, reason decides other problems. This urges us to boast of the vitality and originality of Imami jurisprudence.

With this we end our talk about the characteristics of Imami jurisprudence.

Jurisprudential Problems

I cannot mention all the jurisprudential problems reported on the authority of Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him. Surely, that needs writing a vast jurist encyclopedia. That is because all the chapters and researches of jurisprudence have been narrated on his authority. However, I will mention a brief study on some of the problems which have been reported on his authority. They are as follows:

The Rules of Fighting in Islam

Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, talked about the rules of fighting in Islam when one of his followers asked him about the battles of Imam ‘Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. So, he said to him:

“Allah sent Muhammad, may Allah bless him and his family, with five swords: three of them will not be sheathed till war comes to an end. War will not come to an end till the sun rises in the West. When the sun rises in the West, all the people will be believers on that day. Then such belief will not avail the person who had not believed (in Allah) before or had not done good with his belief. The forbidden sword, and the sheathed sword whose drawing is for other than us, and whose belongs to us.

“As for the three unsheathed swords, they are: the first sword is against the Arab polytheists. Allah, the Great and Almighty, said:

“So, when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush.” (Atl-Touba, 9:5)

‘However, if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, then they are your brethren in religion.’[10] Nothing is accepted from these people except killing or embracing Islam. Their properties are regarded as war booty, and their families are taken as prisoners. Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, practiced that when he took them as prisoners, forgave them, and accepted ransom from them.

“The second sword is against the non-Muslim subjects. Allah, the Glorified, said: ‘And you speak to men good words.” (Al-Baqara, 2:83)

This verse was revealed concerning the non-Muslim subjects. However, this verse was abrogated by these words of Allah:

“Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the jizya (tax) in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.” (At-Touba, 9:30)

Nothing is accepted from the non-Muslim subjects who live in the land of Islam except jizya or being killed. Moreover, their property is regarded as war booty, and their families are taken as prisoners. However, when they accept to pay jizya (tax), then it is forbidden for us to take them as prisoners and to regard their property as war booty. Furthermore, it is lawful for us to marry from their women. It is lawful for us to take as prisoners those who are at the war-area and to regard their properties as war booty. It is unlawful for us to marry from their women. Nothing is accepted from them except adopting Islam and paying jizya or killing.

“The third sword is against non-Arab polytheists such as the Turkish, the Daylam, and the Khazar. Allah, the Great and Almighty, said:

“So, when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom (themselves) until the war terminates.” (Muhammad, 47:4)

“As for His words: ‘And afterwards either set them free.’ He means after taking them as prisoners. ‘Or let them ransom (themselves).’ He means the ransom between them and the people of Islam. Nothing is accepted from these people except killing or entering Islam.

“As for the forbidden sword, it is the sword against the people of aggression and interpretation. Allah said:

“And if two parties of the believers quarrel, then make peace between them. However, if one of them aggresses against the other, then fight that which has aggressed until it returns to Allah’s command.” (Al-Hujurat, 49:4)

When this verse was revealed, Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ‘Indeed one of you will fight on (the basis of) interpretation as I fight (on the basis) of revelation.’ So, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, was asked: ‘Who is he?’ Thus, he said: ‘The one who mended the sandals (i. e., the Commander of the Faithful).’ ‘Ammar b. Yasir said: ‘I fought beside Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. I carried this standard three times.’[11] This is the fourth time. By Allah, if they fought against us and reached al-Sa‘afat at Hajr[12], we would know that we were right and they were wrong.’ The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, treated them in this manner as Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, treated the people of Mecca. That was on the day when he conquered Mecca. Indeed he did not take their families as prisoners. Then he (Allah’s Apostle) said: ‘Whoever closes his door is safe. Whoever lays down his weapons is safe.’ Such said the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, at the Battle of Basrah. He commanded his fighters, saying: ‘Do not take their children as prisoners. Do not kill the wounded. Do not chase those who escape. Who closes his door and lays down his weapons is safe.’

“And the sheathed sword: As for the sheathed sword, it is the sword through which the punishment is inflicted (for wrongdoing). Allah, the Great and Almighty, said:

“The soul for the soul and the eye for the eye.” (Al-Ma’ida, 5:47)

The blood heirs draw this sword, and we decide its rule.

“Allah sent Muhammad, may Allah bless him and his family, to carry these swords. So, whoever denies them or one of them, denies what Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has revealed to His Apostle, Muhammad.”[13]

Wiping the two Light Leather Boots (khuffayn) with Water

The jurists of the Muslim doctrines have permitted the two light leather boots (khuffayn) to be wiped with water during performing the ablution. They have not considered the touching of the hand on the outward part of the two feet.[14] As for the Imams of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, they considered the wiping and did not permit other than it. Al-Rabi said: “I asked Abu Ishaq about the wiping. So, he said: ‘I saw the people wipe (the two light leather boots) with water. Then I met a Hashmite called Muhammad b. ‘Ali b. al-Husayn. I had never seen a man like him. Thus, I asked him about wiping (the two light leather boots) with water. He prevented me from that, and then he said: ‘The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, had not wiped (the two light leatherboots) with water. He said: ‘The Book had come before wiping the two light leather boots (with water).’”[15]

The great Book has proved touching the outward of the two feet. Allah, the Most High, said: “O You who believe, when you rise up to prayer, wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbows, and rub your heads and your feet to the ankles.”The verse clearly denotes the opinion of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them.

Touching the Vestibule of the Vulva does not invalidate Wudu’

Al-Shafi‘i believed that touching the vestibule of the vulva was among the things that invalidated wudu’. In that he cleaved to what had been reported on the authority of b. ‘Umar, Sa‘d b. Abu Waqas, Abu Hurayra, ‘A’isha, and Sa‘id b. al-Musayyab, who said: “Touching the vestibule of vulva is among the things that invalidate wudu’.”As for Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, and all the Imams of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, did not believe in that. Zarara reported on the authority of Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, who said: “Neither the kiss nor touching the woman’s body nor touching the vestibule of the vulva invalidates wudu’.”[16] Besides invalidating ritual purity requests a proof.

Raising the Voice during the quiet Prayer

The Jurists of the Muslim doctrines believed that raising the voice intentionally during the quiet prayer or lowering it during the loud prayer was not among the things that invalidated the prayer. As for the jurists of the doctrine of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them, they believe that it is among the things that invalidate the prayer. Zarara reported on the authority of Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, when he was asked about the man who performed the quiet prayers loudly and the loud prayer quietly. Thus, he, peace be on him, said: “If he did that intentionally, then he invalidated his prayer. So, he must repeat it. If he did that when he was forgetful or heedless or did not know (that), then nothing was against him. Thus, his prayer was perfect.”[17]

Asking Allah to bless Muhammad and his Family in Tashahhud

Most Muslim jurists believe that it is obligatory to ask Allah to bless the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, in tashahhud (i. e., I bear witness that there is no god apart from Allah, Who is unique and without partners. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Apostle. O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family.) Jabir al-Ju‘fi reported on the authority of Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, who said: “Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: ‘He who performs a prayer and does not ask Allah to bless me and my family, his prayer is not accepted from him.’”[18]

These are some of the jurisprudential problems which Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, stated. Most chapters of jurisprudence in the fundamentals and branches were taken from him, as we have already mentioned.

Science of Fundamentals

Among the sciences which Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him, split open was the science of fundamentals (‘Ilm al-Usul). It is among the greatest Islamic sciences after jurisprudence. That is because Ijtihad (concluding religious opinions) depends on it. The mujtahid (one who is capable of concluding religious opinions) is unable to have the talent of Ijtihad without studying the chapters of this science.[19] The researchers and the scholars have unanimously agreed that Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, was the first to establish this science. Sayyid Hasan al-Sadr said: “Imam Abu Ja‘far, Muhammad b. ‘Ali al-Baqir, peace be on him, was the first to open the chapters of this science and to split open its problems.

Then his son Abu ‘Abd Allah, peace be on him, came after him to continue it. Then they dictated its rules and problems to a group of their students. Then the later generations regulated its chapters in books such as Usul Al al-Rasul, al-Fusul al-Muhima fi Usul al-A’imma, and al-Usul al-Asilah. The reliable narrators reported all these chapters on the authority of the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt), peace be on them.”[20]

The following are some of the fundamentals which Imam Abu Ja‘far al-Baqir, peace be on him, established or reported on the authority of his pure grandfathers, and to which Muslim jurists resort to give religious opinions when they find no tradition concerning the legal precept. Though most of them are jurisprudential rules, the scholars of these fundamentals have mentioned them in detail in the science of fundamentals (‘Ilm al-Usul). However, we will mention them here.

Presumption of Continuity (Istishab)

It is one of the four fundamentals to which the doubter resorts during an action. The reason for his doubt is either that the text (tradition) does not exist or the text is general or the texts (traditions) are contradictory. The texts are invalid when they are equal, namely they are not superior to each other. Presumption of continuity happens when conviction precedes doubt. The Imam, peace be on him, said that presumption of continuity was evidence. That was when he was asked about the doubts in the prayer. Some jurisprudence encyclopedias have mentioned these problems. Among them is Wasa’il al-Shi‘a.

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References

[1] Ibn Hazm, al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam, vol.2, p.131

[2] Abu Dauwd, vol.1, p.142. Al-Nisa’i, vol.1, p.42

[3] Ibn Sa‘d, al-Tabaqat, vol.1, p.47

[4] Nazra ‘Ama fi Tarikh al-Fiqh al-Islami, p.110.

[5] Tamhid Li Tarikh al-Falsafa al-Islamiya, p.202

[6] A‘lam al-Wara, p.270

[7] Ibid

[8] Youm al-Islam, p.189

[9] Al-Wihda al-Islamiya, p.99

[10] Ibid, 11

[11] The great Companion (of the Prophet), ‘Ammar b. Yasir, carried the standard during three (battles). They were the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhd, and the Battle of Hunayn. Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Umayyads, headed those battles

[12] Hajr is a town in the Yemen. It is also the name of all the land of Bahrain

[13] Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, pp.288-290

[14] Al-Khilaf, vol.1, p.18

[15] Roudat al-Wa‘izin, p.243

[16] Al-Khilaf, vol.1, p.23

[17] Ibid, p.130

[18] Ibid, p.131

[19] Kifayat al-Usul

[20] Al-Shi‘a wa Funun al-Islam, p.95

The Selection Taken from “The llife of Imam Muhammad ibn Ali al-Baqi” by Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi.