ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Life of Imam Muhammad Ibn 'ali Al-baqir (a.s) CHAPTER V: THE QUALITIES OF HIS CHARACTER Imam Abu Ja‘far (al-Baqir), 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 Hashimites 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 Imam 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 Imamate Allah endowed him with the Imamate 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.

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 Imamate. 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 Imams 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. Imam al-Baqir, peace be on him talked about his Imamate subjectively and inclusively. We will mention it when we talk about his intellectual and scientific heritage.

As for his Imamate, the general and the private nominations indicated it.