A conversation between Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) and a Christian Scholar.
Imam Sadiq alayhis ‘salam said, “one day myself and my father came out of the assembly of Hasham. We happened to pass by a place where a group of Christians had come to ask questions from their scholar.
The old man’s eye caught the sight of my father Imam Mohammad Baqir alayhis ‘salam and he said,
, “Are you from among the scholars or the ignorant”? My father said, “I am not from among the ignorant.” The old man said, “Shall I ask you question or you will ask me.” My father said, “You question me.”
He had a look upon my father and said, “Oh servant of God, let me know about the time which is neither day nor night.”
My father replied, “Between the dawn and the sunrise.”
He asked, “From which time is it?”
My father said, “From the times (hours) of the Paradise and the ailing ones gain their senses in this hour (time) and the pains become relieved and that one who had sleepless night goes to sleep at this time.
The man said, “The people in paradise eat and drink but do not excrete anything is there any thing in the world similar to them?”
My father said, “Yes the embryo which eats in the mother womb but nothing segregates from whatever it eats.”
The man said, “Let me know if there is anything in the world similar to your claim that the people in paradise eat and drink but nothing is lessened and shortened and that returns to its original shape.”
My father said, “Yes it is candle that if a hundred other candles are lit by it nothing gets lessened out of it.”
The Christian scholar got up from his place and said, “This man is wiser then me.” When he knew that he was Imam Mohammad Baqir alayhis ‘salam he embraced Islam.
Imam Baqir’s Conversation with a Christian Scholar
One day, both Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) and his father, Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), exited the assembly of Hasham. While passing by, they came across a gathering of Christians who were engaged in discussions with their scholar. Intrigued by the situation, the Imams joined the gathering to witness the proceedings. Among the group of Christians, an elderly man with silver hair and gray eyebrows was seated. The Imams took their places amidst the assembly, observing as the followers of Jesus Christ posed their inquiries to their learned figure.
At this juncture, the old man’s gaze fell upon Imam Mohammad Baqir (peace be upon him). He inquired, “Do you belong to our group or to the followers of Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him)?” Imam Baqir responded, “I am among the followers of Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him).”
The elderly scholar then asked, “Are you one of the knowledgeable or the uninformed?” Imam Baqir replied, “I am not among the uninformed.”
The scholar was taken aback and regarded Imam Baqir before saying, “Shall I pose a question to you, or would you like to question me?” Imam Baqir replied, “Please, go ahead and question me.”
This unexpected turn of events surprised the aged scholar. He looked at Imam Baqir and inquired, “O servant of God, enlighten me about the time that is neither day nor night.”
Imam Baqir responded, “It is the time between dawn and sunrise.”
The scholar continued, “From which portion of time does it originate?”
Imam Baqir explained, “It emerges from the hours of paradise. It is the hour when those who have been ailing find relief from their suffering, and the sleep-deprived attain rest. Those who have experienced a restless night’s sleep finally find reprieve in this time.”
The scholar inquired further, “In paradise, the inhabitants consume food and drink, yet they do not excrete waste. Can you identify anything similar to this phenomenon in the worldly realm?”
Imam Baqir answered, “Indeed, the embryo within a mother’s womb consumes nourishment, yet nothing is expelled from its consumption.”
The scholar posed another question, “Is there anything comparable to your claim that the residents of paradise consume without diminishing their provisions and that everything reverts to its original state?”
Imam Baqir responded, “Certainly, there is the example of a candle. Even if it ignites a hundred other candles, its own substance remains unimpaired.”
Moved by these profound answers, the Christian scholar rose from his seat and remarked, “This man’s wisdom surpasses mine.” Upon realizing that he was conversing with Imam Mohammad Baqir (peace be upon him), he embraced Islam.
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