The Friends of Imam Baqir (A.S.)

Since Imam baqir (A.S.) was living in an age where in the Marwani Caliphs (Bani Omaiyd) were busy with their own affairs and they were spending their time in a struggle against Bani Abbas, therefore, more chances and possibilities of the propagation of Islamic learning's got available for him. Imam (A.S.) started laying the foundations of educational and research assemblies and trained students of his school of thought, each one of whom was unmatched and incomparable.

A number of them consisted of:

1. Abban Bin Taghlib: Who had been present in the office and company of Imam Sajjad (A.S.), and was counted to be one of the important personalities of knowledge and learning and was an authority over the jurisprudence, exegesis, Hadith, and language. To the extent that Imam said "Oh Abban sit in the mosque of Madina and pronounce judgments to the people.

2. Zurara: This person had been present before Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) and Imam Sadiq (A.S.) and he had ample expertise in the fields of Hadith, Jurisprudence, and Shiite leanings. So that Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said about him "If Zurara and his companions were not there the effects of the Prophets (P.B.U.H.) would have finished (ceased to exist).

3. Kumait Asadi: He was an expert and capable poet and he was unparallel and unmatched regarding the language and literature and the statement of facts and criticizing the cruel and brutal rulers. He used to stand up to the defense of Ahl al-Bayth (A.S.) by virtue of his language, which was in the mould of beautiful and attractive verses. Sometimes he was threatened to be slain by the usurper rulers. In the age of Bani Omaid it was very dangerous and perilous to state the effects and virtues of Ahl al-Bayth (A.S.). But this freedom-loving poet had bought all the risks and dangers at the cost of his life, for the sake of Ahl al-Bayth (A.S.).

Kumait was the enamored and infatuated of Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.). One day, he recited a number of nice rhymes before the Imam (A.S.), so Imam (A.S.) turned his face towards Kaabah and said, "Oh God do bless Kumait."

4. Mohammad Bin Muslim: Who was titled as the "jurisprudent of Ahl al-Bayth (A.S.)" was one of the true friends of Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) and Imam Sadiq (A.S.). He was one of those about whom Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said, "The knowledge and learning of Ahl al-Bayth (A.S.) remained living and was established through him.

Martyrdom of Imam (A.S.)

Finally, Imam Mohammad Baqir (A.S.) after years of troubles, grief's, labor, and service to the Islamic culture was poisoned and martyred by the order of Hasham on the 7th of Zil Hijja 114 Hijrah at the age of 57 years. His pure and sublime body was buried beside the graves of other Imams in the graveyard of Baqi.