Imam Sadiq (PBUH) narrates from his father, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (PBUH):
One day, I came to Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari and greeted him. He replied my salutations and because he was blind, he asked me to tell him who I was. I introduced myself: “I am Muhammad, son of Ali, son of Hussain.”
He said: “O! The son of the best human being, come closer!” I went closer. He hugged me and kissed my hands and tried to kiss my feet. I pulled myself away and prevented him from doing so. He then continued: “The messenger of Allah (SWT), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), had told me to convey his greetings to you.”
I replied: “Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.” I then asked: “Jabir, what is the story behind this?”
He said: “Once when I was in the presence of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), he said to me, ‘O! Jabir, perhaps you will live long enough until you meet a man from my children, whose name is Muhammad, son of Ali, son of Hussain, to whom Allah has granted light and wisdom. So, send my greetings to him’.”
Jabir ibn Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Haram al-Ansari was a great companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). He was amongst the companions of Badr. He was a participant in many of the battles of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and Imam Ali (PBUH). Jabir had always been a follower of Prophethood and Imamat. He never neglected the love and affection towards Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and Ahl al-Bait. The continuous efforts of him in introducing Amir al-Muminin (PBUH) and his respected children to the public were many. Furthermore, he was the first pilgrim of the shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH) in Karbala. He became blind near the ends of his life and passed away at the age of 90 (in year 78 AH). It is narrated that he used to sit in the mosque of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and say: “O! Baqir, O! Splitter of knowledge.”1 The people of Medina thought he had gone mad. Jabir used to say: “By Allah (SWT)! I am not saying nonsense. I personally heard the Prophet saying: ‘O! Jabir, perhaps you will live long enough until you meet a man from my children, whose name and appearance is similar to mine. He will split the knowledge perfectly. So whenever you see him, send my greetings to him.’ So it is the Prophet’s saying, that has given me the impulse to say such words.
(Selection taken from: “The Family of Infallibility”, by Sayyid Taqi Varedi)
On behalf of Roshd Shia Islamic Website, we congratulate Imam Mahdi (PBUH) and all the Muslims upon the auspicious birthday of
the splitter of knowledge and the fifth Imam of Shiites:
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (PBUH).
1- Baqir al-‘oloom is the title of the fifth Imam, which means the Splitter of knowledge. This title was attributed to Imam Muhammad ibn Ali because of his great knowledge.