Baqīyyatullāh (Arabic:بَقیّة الله, literally: remainder of Allah) is among the titles ofImam al-Mahdi (a), the last Imam ofTwelver Shi'a who is inoccultation. The phrase "baqiyyatullah" is mentioned in theQur'an and in somehadiths interpreting the Qur'an, it is interpreted referring to theInfallible Imams (a) and in some other hadiths, it is considered a title for Imam al-Mahdi (a).

Lexically and in the exegeses, it means whatGod keeps for humanity. It has also been interpreted asblessing and abundance. The reason it has been interpreted referring toImams (a) is that they are God's blessing upon humans.

In some hadiths, Baqiyyatullah is interpreted referring to the Infallible Imams (a). For example,Ibn Shahrashub said that the verse "What remains of Allah['s provision] is better for you, should you be faithful"^[1] wasrevealed about Imams (a).^[2]Al-Allama al-Majlisi considered Baqiyyatullah meaning "the one God keeps" and said, Baqiyyatullah refers to those of theprophets (a) and their vicegerents God keeps on the earth for the guidance of people, or Imams who remain after the prophets among their people."^[3] Also, based on a hadith,Imam al-Baqir (a) called himself Baqiyyatullah when addressing people who closed the gate of their city to him.^[4] Inal-Ziyara al-Jami'a al-Kabira, Imams (a) of Shi'a are referred to as Baqiyyatullah.^[5]

According to some hadiths, Baqiyyatullah refers to Imam al-Mahdi (a); as for example, it is transmitted fromImam Ali (a) that Baqiyyatullah refers to Imam al-Mahdi (a).^[6] Also, based on a hadith, in an answer to the question if people would call Imam al-Mahdi (a),Amir al-Mu'minin (the commander of the faithful) [upon his coming],Imam al-Sadiq (a) considered it the specific title of Ali b. Abi Talib (a) and asked people to call Imam al-Mahdi (a) "Baqiyyatullah".^[7]

Some Shi'a commentators ofNahj al-balagha considered the phrase "he is the last of Allah's proofs" mentioned inNahj al-balagha^[8] referring to Imam al-Mahdi (a).^[9]Ibn Abi l-Hadid al-Mu'tazili said thatShi'a interpret this phrase referring to al-Mahdi (a),Sufis interpret it referring tomystics andSunnis interpret it referring to the scholars who are proofs of God upon servants.^[10] Also, in theal-Nudba Supplication, Imam al-Mahdi (a) is referred to as Baqiyyatullah.^[11]

In Shi'a hadiths, it is mentioned that upon his coming, Imam al-Mahdi (a) will recite the verse "What remains of Allah['s provision] is better for you,…" and will introduce himself as "Baqiyyatullah" and Muslims will greet him saying "Peace be upon you O the One remaining of Allah['s provision] on His earth."^[12] It is also transmitted that Imam al-Mahdi (a) himself has said, "I am the remaining of Allah['s provision] on His earth."^[13]

Under the verse "What remains of Allah['s provision] is better for you, should you be faithful" mentioned among the consults ofShu'ayb (a) to his people,exegetes have proposed different interpretations for "Baqiyyatullah". Some of them considered it meaning "permissible profit of a transaction which remains".^[14] Some others associated it with the full measure and the balance mentioned in verse 85 ofQur'an 11 and said that "Baqiyyatullah" refers to what remains or God keeps for you after measuring and it is better than fraud and diminishing the measure.^[15] Al-Zamakhshari, the Sunni exegete mentioned this possibility that maybe "Baqiyyatullah" refers to the acts of worship remaining with God.^[16] According toal-Allama al-Majlisi, exegetes have also interpreted "Baqiyyatullah" as the blessing or reward which remains for thehereafter.^[17]

Baqiyya meaning Abundance and Blessing

Some exegetes have interpreted "baqiyya" as abundance and blessing. Under verse 116 of the Qur'an 11, where "Ulu baqiyyat-in" [a remnant], al-Zamakhshari interpreted it as abundance and blessing.^[18] About this interpretation, Rudi Paret, the orientalist and translator of the Qur'an to German said that "fadl" originally means "baqiyya" and surplus and its meaning has developed to abundance and blessing; and the meaning of "baqiyya" has developed to blessing, abundance, superiority and select.^[19] The term "baqiyya" has also been used in verse 248 of theQur'an 2 meaning abundance and blessing.^[20] They say that the reason for interpreting "baqiyya" referring to Imams (a) is that they (a) are God's abundance and blessing upon humans.