He is credited with laying the foundations of Twelver Shia...

He is credited with laying the foundations of Twelver Shia, including a coherent theory of imamate, which was further developed by his son and successor, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq. Clemency is the most prominent quality of Imam al-Baqir (PBUH). The historians have unanimously agreed that the Imam did not mistreat those who wronged him and were aggressive towards him. Rather he forgave them and treated them kindly.

Patience was among the personal qualities of the pure Imams from the members of the Prophet’s Household (). 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. There are several instances in Islamic history which portrayed the patience and forbearance of Imam al-Baqir during hardships and misfortunes.

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 [6] .’ He also ordered them to call the beggars with their best names [7] .” The most enjoyable thing for the Imam in this world was spending on his companions.

He did not tire of spending on them and those who came to him and hoped for him. While describing the personality and excellent moral features of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, Al-Shaykh al-Mufid in his famous book Al-Irshād writes: Imam al-Baqir was superior to all his brothers in knowledge, piety, and dignity. He had a higher position than his siblings. Everyone praised him with glory and he was respected by the Sunni and Shi’a scholars.

He had knowledge of religion, the Qur’an, ethics, and morals to such a great extent that even these had not been formerly taught by any of the children of al-Hasan and al-Husain. The rest of the companions of the Prophet (PBUHH), noble ones among the Followers, and the highest ranking of jurisprudence scholars have narrated from him. His position in merits and nobility reached a level of being exemplary among the people of knowledge.

They wrote works and composed poems to praise his personality [8] . His Martyrdom After nineteen years of Imamate and leadership of the people, Imam Muhammad (PBUH) was martyred at the age of fifty-eight years. Imam al-Baqir (PBUH) passed away on Dhu l-Hijjah 7, 114AH/January 28, 733 [9] .