Hisham hated Imam Baqir and his Shia followers. The Imam was under the most pressure during Hisham’s government. Hisham asked his governors to increase the pressure on the Shias and deprive them of their rights. He also banned the people of Iraq, who were the largest Shia community, from meeting the Imam freely in Medina. He ordered his governor in Kufa to kill Komait, a poet who had recited poetry to praise the status of Imam Baqir and the Ahlul-Bayt. Komait escaped from Kufa to save his life, but eventually had to recite poetry praising Hisham and his son to seek Hisham’s forgiveness. Hisham had also ordered the killing of Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ju’fi, one of the Imam’s notable companions. However, by the Imam’s secret message to Jabir, Jabir pretended to be insane and saved his life. The Imam had advised his followers to distance themselves from the Umayyads, and not to accept any governmental position.
Imam Baqir did not endorse any request from his followers for an uprising against the injustices of the Umayyads. Once, a Kufan man told the Imam that he has many loyal Shia followers in Kufa. The Imam replied by doubting their sincerity to him. He said that if 313 loyal companions gather around an Imam, equaling the number of the Prophet’s companions in the Battle of Badr, it is obligatory upon an Imam to rise up against the injustice of the government. In one incident, the Imam’s brother, Zaid, wanted to initiate an uprising against the Umayyads. The Imam convinced him to change his mind by reminding him of the disloyal nature of the Kufans. Around seven years after the martyrdom of Imam Baqir, Zaid initiated an uprising against Hisham. Although Kufans had paid allegiance to support Zaid in secrecy, when Zaid initiated his uprising, only a fraction of them stayed loyal to him. Zaid fought bravely with his loyal army and was eventually martyred. This historical event supports Imam Baqir’s wise decision to keep himself away from an uprising to save himself as the only source of guidance in that society during his time.
Imam Baqir did not endorse any request from his followers for an uprising against the injustices of the Umayyads. Once, a Kufan man told the Imam that he has many loyal Shia followers in Kufa. The Imam replied by doubting their sincerity to him. He said that if 313 loyal companions gather around an Imam, equaling the number of the Prophet’s companions in the Battle of Badr, it is obligatory upon an Imam to rise up against the injustice of the government. In one incident, the Imam’s brother, Zaid, wanted to initiate an uprising against the Umayyads. The Imam convinced him to change his mind by reminding him of the disloyal nature of the Kufans. Around seven years after the martyrdom of Imam Baqir, Zaid initiated an uprising against Hisham. Although Kufans had paid allegiance to support Zaid in secrecy, when Zaid initiated his uprising, only a fraction of them stayed loyal to him. Zaid fought bravely with his loyal army and was eventually martyred. This historical event supports Imam Baqir’s wise decision to keep himself away from an uprising to save himself as the only source of guidance in that society during his time.
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