Islam Guidance

MUHAMMAD AL-BAQIR (a.s.) AND WALID BIN ABDUL MALIK

In the year 91 A.H. a very important event took place. Walid bin Abdul Malik, the Umayyad caliph, came to Medina. He was travelling with the pomp and show of Byzantine emperors. Officials travelled ahead of the caliph to make arrangements for his stay and entertainment.
Omar bin Abdul Aziz, the governor of Medina, went 15 farsangs (one farsang is equal to 6.24 kilometers) out of the city to receive him. Before leaving Medina he had furnished and decorated the best house for the caliph’s stay. He had also made suitable arrangements for accommodation of those who were travelling with him.
The day the caliph entered Medina it was announced that he would hold a public reception and receive anyone who wished to see him.
Omar bin Abdul Aziz knew that Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) would not see Walid, because he did not recognize him as the rightful successor of the Prophet. He went to see Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) and asked him if he would see the caliph. The Imam replied that he would not see Walid.
Omar bin Abdul Aziz said, “This city is associated with you and your family and it is like your house. Walid is coming here as your guest. Whatever he is, he is a Muslim. You will surely see a guest who comes to your house, even if he is a non-believer.”
Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) replied, “The question of guest coming to my house is quite different from the coming of Walid to Medina. He has put on the robe of a caliph and is coming as the owner and master of Medina.”
Omar bin Abdul Aziz remarked, “I know why you do not want to see Walid. You are afraid that the people of Medina may think that you have sworn allegiance to him.”
“Yes,” replied Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.).
Omar said, “One of your ancestors signed a peace treaty with an Umayyad caliph, though unwillingly, but for the good of the Muslims, but no one said that he had taken oath of fealty to him. If you see Walid no one can say anything.”
Replied Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.), “I do not like to see him.”
Omar said, “Walid has a secret organization, which was established by Muawiyah. Every Umayyad caliph makes use of it for gathering information. He must have been informed that I have great love and respect for you and your family. If you do not see him he would think that my devotion to you has made you proud. He will surely remove me from the Governorship of Medina.”
Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) said, “I shall see him against my will. I do not want you to be in trouble for our sake.”
Omar asked, “Can I tell him that you will see him tomorrow?”
“Yes, you can”, replied Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.).
When Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) arrived, Walid stood up to receive him. He seated him in front of him as if he was his equal in status. The Arabs paid great respect to the direct descendants of tribal chiefs. Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) was a direct descendant of the chief of the tribe of Bani Hashim. Besides, he was a great scholar. For that reason also Walid had to respect him. Most of the Umayyad caliphs were not interested in knowledge and learning, yet they always made a show of their love and respect for the learned people.
When two persons have nothing to discuss they talk about some trifling things, such as the weather, crops etc. Walid asked Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) about the condition of the harvest. In that year, there was heavy rainfall and the farmers hoped to reap a bumper crop.
Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) gave him a cursory reply.
Walid asked him about his personal property and how much it was worth.
Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) said that he had a small farm, the produce of which was enough for the needs of his family.
Walid said, “If you accept, I can offer to you a big estate inside the city of Medina or outside, wherever you like, so that you may enjoy it as long as you live and after your death it may pass on to your children.”
Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) replied, “My farm produces enough food, which is sufficient for our needs. As regards my children, they will work and earn their living themselves.”
After that short discussion Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) got up, bade farewell to Walid and left.
The main object of Walid to visit Medina was to see how his orders to expand the mosque were being carried out. He saw and approved the work of expansion of the courtyard. Then he entered that part of the mosque where Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) was holding his classes. His son, Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) was also there.
When Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) saw Walid he stopped his lecture, the caliph requested him to continue. That day he was teaching geography and astronomy to his students. Walid had no knowledge of the subjects. He stood for some time and listened to his lecture and then he asked, “What are you teaching?”
“I am teaching geography and astronomy,” replied Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.).
“What do you discuss in these subjects?” asked Walid.
“In these subjects, I teach my students about the earth, sun, moon and the stars,” replied Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.).
When Walid saw Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) in the class, he asked the Governor of Medina, “What is this small boy doing here?”
“He is the son of Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) and is one of his students,” replied Omar bin Abdul Aziz.
“What can this boy get out of these lectures?” remarked Walid.
“Do not judge him by his age. He is more learned than any of the students here,” replied Omar bin Abdul Aziz.
As desired by him Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) went to Walid, who looked at him carefully and remarked, “He is still a child; how can he study in this class?”
“Test him and find out for yourself,” said Omar bin Abdul Aziz.
“What is your name?” asked the Caliph.
“My name is Ja’far,” replied Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.).
Walid asked, “Can you tell me who formulated the rules of Logic?”
“It was Aristotle. His students had given that name to him,” replied Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) without any hesitation. The caliph than asked, “Can you tell me who was Sahib ul-Maz?” Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) replied, “It is not the name of any person. It is the name of a group of stars called Orion.”
Walid, who was very surprised, asked Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.), “Do you know who was Sahib ul-Sawwak?”
“Abdullah bin Masud, who performed certain duties assigned to him by my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.), was known by that name,” replied Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.).
Walid exclaimed, “Bravo, Bravo”, many times. Turning to Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) he remarked, “Your son will be a great scholar.”
Walid bin Abdul Malik was not wrong. Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) emerged not only as a great scholar, but the greatest scholar of his time.
Sahib ibad, who died in the year 385 of the Hijra and was buried in Isphahan, has written that after Prophet Muhammad (May Allah bestow His Blessings upon him and his progeny) Islam did not produce a scholar greater than Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.).

Imam Reza (AS) Network

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