Sound of footsteps reminded him of the way Prophet…

By: Faez Karimi

The pure Prophetic house (Pbuh) was swept with joy and delight on the first day of the lunar month of Rajab, 57 A. H. when Imam Muhammad bin Ali ibnil Hussein Al-Baqir (Pbuh) was born illuminating the whole world with his refulgence.

The name and nickname of Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (Pbuh) were given in advance by his great grandfather, the Apostle of Allah (Pbuh&hp).

According to reports one of the companions of the Holy Prophet (Pbuh&hp) Jabir Ibn Abdillah Ansari (R) was in the presence of the Holy Prophet (Pbuh&hp) when the Prophet (Pbuh&hp) told him: “O Jabir, you will have a long life, and although you will go blind, but you will meet the 5th in line of my descendants whose name will be my name, who will walk like me and who will be the 5th Imam of the time. When you will meet him, give my salaams to him”.

Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari (R) had a long life and became blind in his old age as predicted by the Holy Prophet (Pbuh&hp). But he devoutly waited for the time when he would meet the 5th Imam (Pbuh). Each morning he would come out from his house, sit by the roadside and wait for the sound of the footsteps to recognize the 5th Imam (Pbuh). One such day while he was waiting in the street of Medina, he heard someone walking towards him, the sound of footsteps reminded him of the way Holy Prophet (Pbuh&hp) used to walk. Jabir (R) stood up, stopped the man and asked his name. He replied, “Muhammad”, Jabir asked, whose son? He replied “Ali Ibnil Hussein (Pbuh)”. Jabir immediately recognized the man he was talking to was the 5th Imam (Pbuh&hp). He kissed his hands and told him the message from the Holy Prophet (Pbuh&hp) that he (Pbuh&hp) sent his salaams to him.

Imam Baqir (Pbuh) was given the title of Al-Baqir because he ripping through the depths of knowledge accessed the bottom of the knowledge, knew its fine subtleties and secrets. As weighty Arabic dictionaries explain Al-Baqir means ‘the man who is deeply knowledgeable and sharply wise, who discovers knowledge’s innermost mysteries and essence, and who is well versed in its arts.’

The period of Imam Mohammad Baqir (Pbuh)’s life is divided into two parts. The pre-Imamate part lasted for more than 35 years, in which his father Hazrat Ali Ibnil Hussein (Pbuh) was the leader. The second part of Imam’s life was the period of his leadership.

END