Born in 57 AH he is a direct descendant of both Imam Hasan and Husayn (pbuh). His father being Imam Sajjad and his mother Fatima (daughter of Imam Hasan).
His title “Al-Baqir” means “the one who splits open knowledge” and is reported to have been attributed to him via a Prophecy of the Prophet (pbuh). He taught a wide range of subjects in Masjidun Nabi. Scholars including Abu Hanifa and Malik b. Anas all studied under the him and Imam Sadiq.
It was under him that there were significant advancements in knowledge. There are more traditions narrated from Imam Baqir and Imam Sadiq than the rest of the Aimma.