Imam Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn (‘a) had the title of ‘Baqir’, meaning ‘the one who analyzes’. He was called ‘Baqir ul-ulum’ which means ‘the one who analyzes knowledge’.

A Christian, in mockery, tried to play on the word Baqir, mispronouncing it as "baqar". He said to him, “You are a baqar!” (i.e. You are a cow!)

Without expressing any annoyance or anger, the Imam (‘a) replied calmly: “No, I am not baqar, but I am Baqir.”

The Christian said, “You are the son of a lady cook.”

Ali (‘a), while on his way to Kufah, entered a nearby city called Anbar where its inhabitants were Iranian. The chiefs and the farmers were exulted and overjoyed that their beloved Caliph would pass through their town. They ran to welcome him. As he prepared to depart, Ali (‘a) mounted his horse and started to move when they started running in front of him.

Ali (‘a) called out to them and asked, “Why are you running? What happened to you?”

In those days, the city of Kufah was the center of Islamic government. Throughout the entire territory of the vast Muslim nation, with the exception of Syria, all eyes were on that city, waiting to receive the latest orders and for vital decisions to be made.

On the road to the city, two men, a Muslim and a ‘man of the Book’ (i.e., Jew, Christian or Zoroastrian) met each other. They each inquired of their companion’s destination respectively, and it became evident that the Muslim was going to Kufah and the other man was going to another nearby place.

A Muslim caravan that had started on a trip for Hajj (pilgrimage) heading towards Makkah, stopped for rest upon reaching Madinah. Then, after few days, it set out for Makkah again. In between Madinah and Makkah, the people of the caravan met a man who was well acquainted with them. While talking to them, the man recognized a person among the caravan whose face was of a pious man, who was willingly and happily busy serving the men of the caravan.

He recognized him immediately and asked them with amazement, “Do you know this man who is serving you and tending to your affairs?”

As soon as the Holy Prophet (S) and his companions alighted from their mounts and untied their luggage, they decided to slaughter a sheep and prepare a meal.

One of the Companions said, “I will slaughter the sheep.”

The second one said, “I will skin it.”

The third one said, “I will cook it.”

The fourth ........etc.

The Holy Prophet (S) said, “I will go to the desert to gather firewood.”

The Companions said, “O Messenger of Allah! Take no pains! Please be seated and rest! Let it be our honour to serve you!”

On returning from the journey of Hajj, a man related his and his companions’ experiences to Imam Al-Sadiq (‘a). He was stirred by and admired them, particularly one of his fellow travelers. “How noble he was. We were proud to accompany such an honourable man. He was praying continuously. No sooner did we stop at a place, then he would immediately part from us, seek a corner, spread his prayer mat, and engage himself in prayer and worship.”

The Imam (‘a) asked, “Then who was looking after his affairs? Who was tending to his animal?”

The caravan having travelled for hours, weariness overcame both the riders and animals. As soon as they reached an oasis where there was water, they had their camels kneel down. The Holy Prophet (S) accompanying the caravan, made his camel kneel down and dismounted from it. All were rushing to the water to prepare for the preliminaries of prayer. Dismounting from his camel, the Holy Prophet (S) also made his way towards the water.

Excited and agitated, a man came to Imam Al-Sadiq (‘a) and said, “Could you do a favour for me and say a prayer so that Allah may grant me ease of life, for I am really poor and indigent.”

The Imam (‘a) replied, “I will never say the prayer for you!”

The man said, “Why?”

Reflecting on his own painful past, full of afflictions, a man recalled how those bitter days had slipped away. The days when he was not even in a position to provide sustenance for his wife and innocent children. He mused on how a few words, which fell upon his ears three times, invigorated his soul, changed the course of his life, and rescued his whole family from being overwhelmed by poverty and calamity.

One day when the Holy Prophet (S) entered the Mosque (Masjid un-Nabi),