Muhammad al-Baqir

Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn, known as al-Baqir (57–114 AH / 676–733 CE), was the great-grandson of the Prophet ﷺ and one of the leading scholars of the Medinan Tabiun generation. As the son of Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-Abidin and great-grandson of Ali ibn Abi Talib, he held a position of immense spiritual and scholarly authority in the early second century.

He was present as a child at the Battle of Karbala, having been born before that catastrophic event, and survived because of his young age. He grew up in Medina under his father's guidance and became one of the most learned men of his generation. Sunni hadith scholars transmit from him extensively, and he appears in the chains of the major collections through his student Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ju'fi and others.

He was given the epithet al-Baqir — "the one who opens up knowledge" or "the one who splits knowledge open" — reflecting his reputation as a scholar who went deeply into every subject. The Prophet ﷺ reportedly foretold his coming and sent greetings to him through Jabir ibn Abd Allah al-Ansari, who lived long enough to meet the young Muhammad al-Baqir and convey the Prophet's greetings.

In Shia tradition he is considered the Fifth Imam and the transmitter of the Imami theological and legal tradition. In Sunni scholarship he is a respected Tabi'i transmitter. He taught many students including his son Jafar al-Sadiq, who surpassed him in fame in subsequent generations. He died in Medina around 114 AH and is buried in Baqi' cemetery.