The arrival of the blessed month of Rajab marks the birthday of our fifth Imam, who was born in the year 57 AH. Our congratulations to the Wali of our Era (may Allah hasten his reappearance) and all the believers on this joyful occasion.
The famous alqāb (honorific titles) of the Imam are: al-hādi (the guide), ash-shākir (the thankful one), and al-bāqir (the one who splits something open). This last title was given to him due to his splitting knowledge open. The Holy Prophet (s) said to his companion, Jābir ibn ‘Abdilllah al-Anṣāri, “It is almost as if you will live until you meet a son of mine from al-Ḥusayn. He will be called Muḥammad, and he will thoroughly split open the knowledge of religion. So when you meet him then send my salām to him.”
Imam al-Bāqir was present during the tragedy of Karbala as a four year old child. The Imam’s mother was Fāṭimah, the daughter of Imam al-Ḥasan (a), also known as Umm ‘Abdillah. Therefore, both his mother and father were grandchildren of Imam ‘Alī (a) and Sayyidah az-Zahrā’ (a).