Source: Shaheed Murtada Mutahhari, The Narrative of Veracious, Vol.1, STORY
NO.10, p.15-16
Imam Muhammad ibn ‘All ibn al—Husayn (‘a) had the title of “Bãqir”, that is to
say, “the one who analyzes”. He was called “Bäqir ul—ulüm” which means “the one
who analyzes the knowledge.”
A Christian, in a mockery and irony way, playing on words of Bãqir,
misinterpreting it to “baqar”, called him: “you are “baqar” that is, you are a
cow! Without expressing any annoyance or anger, the Imam (‘a) replied calmly:
“No, I am not “baqar” but I am “Bãqir”.
—The Christian said: “you are the son of a lady—cook?
—The Imam (‘a) said in reply: “It was her job, which is not considered as insult
or disgrace to her personality.”
—The Christian: “Your mother was black, immodest and had a abusive tongue.
—The Imam (‘a): “If whatever you attribute to my mother is true, I pray to Allah
to forgive her and absolve her sins, and if it is a lie, may Allah forgive you
for your lies and slander.
Observing such a clemency from a person, who had the authority to submit a
non—Muslim to different persecutions, was sufficient to provok a revolution in
the
soul of this Christian and invite him towards [slam. Later on he accepted Islam
and became a Muslim.’