Imam Muhammad al Baqir (676 - January 31, 743) was the fifth Shia Imam. He was born Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Husayn.

Muhammad al Baqir was born in Medina in 676, his father was Ali Zayn al Abidin, the fourth Shia Imam, his mother was the daughter of Hasan named Fatima. He was the greatest scholar of his time, so much so that he was called with title Baqir-ul-Aloom, which means revealer or splitter of knowledge and wisdom due to his ample knowledge of religion and his enthusiasm to teach to other people. Many historians assert that the he split open knowledge, that is scrutinized it and examined the depths of it so that it can be spread to all people truly and correctly.

Muhammad al Baqir's knowledge allowed him to become a teacher, and he is well remembered for his knowledge in both religious and judicial matters. His son, Jafar as Sadiq was a student of his, and no doubt he benefited greatly from his father's knowledge.

Despite his aversion to politics, he was harassed continually by the Umayyad rulers. They were afraid of his popularity and the influence his scholarly works had. In addition, the actions of his brother and other kinsmen made them distrustful of him. He died on January 31, 743, some believe of poisoning. He is buried in Medina, in the Jannat ul-Baqi cemetery.

Some sayings of the Imam:

• Imam said, "Our followers are of three kinds, one who follows us but depends on others, one who is like a glass involved in his own reflections, but the best are those who are like gold, the more they suffer the more they shine.

• Another famous saying of the Imam is,”I admonish you regarding five things; if you are wronged, do not commit wrong doing to others, if you are betrayed, do not betray anyone, if you are called a liar, do not be furious, if you are praised, do not be jubilant, if you are criticised do not fret and think of what is said in criticism, if you find in yourself what is criticised about you, then you are falling down in the eyes of God; when you are furious about the truth, it is much greater calamity then your falling down in the eyes of the people. And if you are opposite of what is said (in criticism) about you, then it is a merit you acquired without having to tire yourself in obtaining it.”

External links

• The Fifth Imam