The struggle of Imam Muhammad Baqer (a.s.) against the deviant Exaggeration Thought

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Thursday, 07 July 2022

Deviant Exaggeration Thought initiated in Iraq during the time of Imam Ali (a.s.), and according to sources, that Imam dealt severely with the supporters of the thought. After the martyrdom of Imam Ali (a.s.), the ground for the development of Exaggeration Thought was progressively provided to such an extent that during the time of Imam Baqer (a.s.), the thought was very widespread.

The following article will discuss the spread of the deviant Exaggeration Thought during the time of Imam Muhammad Baqer (a.s.), deviant Exaggerators during the time of Imam Muhammad Baqer (a.s.), and the harm of Exaggeration Thought to Shia during the time of Imam Baqer (a.s.).

How did Imam Muhammad Baqer (a.s.) fight against the Deviant Exaggeration Thought?

A short account on the life and tradition of Imam Muhammad Baqer (a.s.)

Imam Muhammad, the son of Ali, the son of Hossain, the son of Ali, the son of Abu Talib (a.s.), known as “Al-Baqer” and “Baqer al-Olum”, according to the famous narration, was born on Rajab 1, 57 AH, in Medina. His honorable father is Imam Sajjad (a.s.) and his respected mother is Umm Abdullah, Fatimah, the daughter of Imam Hassan Mojtabi (a.s.). Imam Baqer (a.s.) is the fifth Shia Imam whose Imamate duration was 19 years and lived a life full of vicissitudes.

Imam Muhammad Baqer (a.s.) lived for about 38 years in the era of his honorable father, and for about 3 years in the era of his esteemed grandfather Imam Hussain (a.s.). He was present in the Ashura Event in his childhood and witnessed the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and the captivity of the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h) family. After his father’s martyrdom in 95 AH, Imam Baqer (a.s.) became Imam. During his time, the Islamic society, more than ever, faced deep ideological and jurisprudential challenges among the Islamic denominations.

The imamate of Imam Baqer (a.s.) was concurrent with the caliphate of five Umayyad caliphs, including Walid bin Abdul Malik, Omar bin Abdul Aziz, Suleiman bin Abdul Malik, Yazid bin Abdul Malik, and Hisham bin Abdul Malik. The Umayyad caliphs, who were hostile towards Islam and the AhlulBayt (a.s.), by their actions tried to distance the society’s culture from the Quran and the divine teachings.

Therefore, they prohibited the transmission of hadith, its writing and publication, and they left open the hands of non-committed and foreign people to the principles and foundations of Islam to forge hadiths. Therefore, they banned the narrating, recording, and writing hadith, as well as its publication, and on the other hand, they gave full authority to uncommitted people who were unfamiliar with the principles and foundations of Islam to forge hadiths.

After years of patience and pondering for defining identity for Shia, and defending Islamic thought against non-religious thoughts, Imam Muhammad Baqer (a.s.) established a scientific and cultural movement. Eventually on Dhuʻl-Hijjah 7, 114 AH, Imam was poisoned by Hisham bin Abdul Malik in Medina at the age of 57 and was martyred, and his pure body was buried in Al Baqi Cemetery in the city.

In addition to the theological debates, and intellectual and cultural attacks, which threatened the existence of Islam, during the time of Imam Baqer (a.s.) many deviant thoughts such as Khawarij, Jabriyah, Muʿtazilah, Moshabbahah, Murji'ah, etc. were active, and Imam (a.s.) fought against each of them.

One of the deviant thoughts that spread during the time of Imam Baqer (a.s.) was the of Ghulat or Ghalian (exaggerators) thought, who caused the most damage to Shia.

Who were the Ghulat or Ghalian?

Deviant Exaggeration Thought initiated in Iraq during the time of Imam Ali (a.s.), and according to sources, that Imam dealt severely with the supporters of the thought. After the martyrdom of Imam Ali (a.s.), the ground for the development of Exaggeration Thought was progressively provided to such an extent that during the time of Imam Baqer (a.s.), the thought was very widespread.

Ghulat or Ghalian spread deviations among the people with their excesses, extreme behaviors, and strange ideas. Responding the question “Who are Ghulat?” Imam Baqer (a.s.) said, “Ghulat are those who attribute things and positions to us that we have not attributed to ourselves.”

Politically motivated, some of the Ghulat tried to introduce Imam Baqer (a.s.) as the promised Mahdi! Refuting this claim, Imam Baqer (a.s.) said, “They believe that I am the promised Mahdi! However, I am closer to the end of my life than to what they claim I am and invite people to it.” (Siyar A’alam al-Nubala, Shamsuddin Al-Dhahabi, vol. 5, p. 346, Dar al-Fekr)

Another group of them had very extreme and exaggerated views about the Wilayah (guardianship) and position of Imams (a.s.). One of the creators of the deviant sect Ghulat (or exaggerators) was Mughira Bin Saeed, who used to be a companion of Imam Baqer (a.s.). But later, he exaggeratedly raised the position of Imam (a.s.) to the level of God, and therefore, he was opposed by the Imam. Also, some of the Ghulat believed that because Shiites are followers of AhlulBayt (a.s.), they will go to heaven, even if they are sinners!

Therefore, in response to these illusions, Imam Baqer (a.s.) said, “Do not make excuses before God for your sins. Do not follow false views that “We are Shiites and being associated with the AhlulBayt (a.s.) will make us achieving salvation”. I swear to God that our Shia is the one who obeys God Almighty.” (Kitab al-Kafi, Sheikh Kulayni, vol. 2, p. 73, Hadith No. 1, Dar al-Kitab al-Islamiyah, Tehran, 1388 AH)

Imam Baqer’s stance against deviant thoughts

Due to the pressures by the Umayyad caliphs on society, Imam Baqer (a.s.) had to observe Taqya (ostensible denial of religious belief) and avoid any conflict. But the same issue caused many Iraqi Shiites, who expected Imam (a.s.) to fight against the existing pressure and suppression, to have doubts about his Imamate, which caused creation of some branches in the Shia. Since the society of that day was suffering from contradictions and divisions, Imam (a.s.) felt it necessary to initiate a cultural revolution and create an effective transformation by adopting correct stances, and taking measures such as Tafsir, publication of prophetic hadiths, establishing seminaries, explanation of religious teachings, scientific debates, and training of students such as Muhammad bin Muslim, Zorarah bin A’ayan, Abu Basir, etc.; the result of which was the exalting of Islamic culture and the explanation of the Imams’ position.

Tags

• AhlulBayt (a_s_) World Assembly
• Imam Muhammad Baqer (a_s_)