Role of Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir in early Islam

Abstract

The present study is devoted to the role of imam Mutammad al-BNqir in early Islam. The first introductory chapter gives a brief social and cultural background of the period in which al-gaqir lived and surveys the ShI'ite sources. The second chapter is a historical background dealing with the idea of Imamate until al-B'Eqir's time. The third chapter looks at some aspects of al-Saqir's life such as his laqab, his wasIya, his rivals and the controversies regarding-, his death-dates.

Chapter four investigates al-Baqir's views on the Imamate from Qur'anic point of view as well as from the traditional angle. It also deals with some of the concepts which al-Baqir put forward such as nass, 'ilm, nur, isma and others. The fifth chapter discusses some of the theological views current at the time of al-Baqir, topics such as Iman, taqiya, qada wa al-qadar and the unity of God.

The second last chapter studies al-Baqir's image as a traditionist both, among the non-Shi'ite circle as well as the Shi'ite circle. The chapter also includes some of al-Baqir's more popular associates. The final chapter discusses al-Baqir's contribution to fiqh which involves the foundation of the Madhhab Ahl al-Bayt as well as advice to his followers and others on some legal problems amidst the varying interpretation of different scholars.