With a brief glance at the jurisprudential and interpretive books of Shia, it becomes evident that a significant portion of Shia jurisprudential, ethical, and exegetical narrations have been transmitted from Imam Baqir (peace be upon him). Furthermore, numerous profound and valuable statements on ethics have been narrated from Imam Baqir (peace be upon him), reflecting the beauty and the spirit of his infallibility and inner perfection. Erbili [1] , in his work, writes: “Many reports about the Prophets have been narrated from him, and people have transmitted reports about the Prophet’s battles from him. In matters of Islamic law and pilgrimage rites, what Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is often cited. Narrations regarding Quranic exegesis from him have also been recorded, with both Shia and Sunni scholars transmitting hadith from him”s regard, Abu Zahra writes: “He was an interpreter of the Quran and the explainer of Islamic jurisprudence, understanding the philosophy behind divine commandments and prohibitions, and comprehending their ultimate purpose” .[2]
RegarBaqir’s[3] (peace be upon him) ethical and social thoughts, he further writes: “Because of his spiritual perfection, clarity of heart, and profound understanding, Allah endowed him with marvelous wisdom. Phrases concerning personal and social ethics have been narrated from him, and if these were compiled, they would form a priceless and comprehensive ethical framework” .[4]
An example of ‘s (peace be upon him) practical ethics is his opposition to extreme asceticism. In practice, he would counter those who believed that complete renunciation of worldly blessings was the essence of Islamic piety and asceticism.[5]
On theological matters, Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) narrated many of the sermons of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) related to the unity and attributes of God. Likewise, he clarified many intricate theological points concerning issues that were debated between Shia and Sunni scholars.
The tireless efforts of Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) and, after him, Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) played a pivotal role in the early development of Shia jurisprudence. With reliance on the hadiths of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and divine inspirations granted to the hearts of the infallible Imams (peace be upon them), Shia jurisprudence reached a stage of compilation sooner than the Sunni schools of thought. This jurisprudential legacy of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was transmitted independently to us through the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). While Sunni scholars often link hadiths narrated by Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) with a chain of narrators going back to the Prophet (peace be upon him) through his ancestors, the Shia, due to their belief in the Imamate and infallibility of the Imams, do not find it necessary to mention a chain of narrators. When Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) was asked about hadiths narrated without mentioning a chain of narrators, he said: “When I narrate a hadith and do not mention its chain, my chain in such cases is my father, Zayn al-Abidin, from his father Husayn the Martyr, from his father Ali ibn Abi Talib, from the Messenger of Allah, from Jibril, and thereafter from Allah” .[6]
This legacy of Imam Baqbe upon him) is what has preserved and safeguarded Shia teachings from distortions in hadith, which had emerged due to the prohibition of hadith writing during the Caliphs’ time and other motivating factors.
(Excerpt from the book “The Intellectual and Political Life of the Shia Imams” by Rasul Jafariyan, with slight modifications)
Footnotes:
[1] Ali ibn Isa Erbili was a well-known historian and hadith scholar of the 7th century Hijri.
[2] Kashf al-Ghumma, Vol. 2, p. 126.
[3] Abu Zahra was a contemporary and prominent Sunni scholar, and a professor at Al-Azhar University in Egypt.
[4] Al-Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), p. 24.
[5] Ibid.
[6] I’lam al-Wari, p. 270.