1. The Imam's high Character
Imam Abu Ja'far (al-Baqir), peace be on him, had the highest character in the Islamic world. Moslems have unanimously greed on his high character. They have admitted his outstanding merits. All Moslem religious scholars from all Moslem countries came to him to learn his sciences and his morals. For the Imam learned that from his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family.
The Imam, peace be on him, possessed the sentiments of the people. Thus, they admired and respected him. For the Imam was the most prominent figure in the family of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. Hence, the Imam's high social rank displeased the Umayyads. Accordingly, they decided to murder him to get rid of him.
2. The Events of Damascus
Among the reasons that moved the Umayyads to kill the Imam, peace be on him, were the events the Imam faced in Damascus. These events are as follow:
A. The Imam exceeded the Umayyads and others in shooting. That was when Hisham summoned the Imam to compete with the Umayyds and others for shooting. Hisham thought the Imam would fail in hitting the target. Thus, he would be able to use the Imam's failure as means to degrade the importance of the Imam and to mock him before the Syrians. However, the Imam shot and hit the target several times. The people had never seen such skillfulness in the world of shooting. Hisham was full of anger. So, he decided to murder the Imam from that moment.
B. The Imam debated with Hisham on the affairs of the Imamate. The Imam defeated Hisham. So, the latter was full of malice towards the former.
