In the Court of the Oppressive Umayyad caliph

Hisham ibn `Abd ul-Malik was an oppressive Umayyad caliph. He
considered himself the successor of the Prophet, but he was
unjust to the people and oppressed them, and spent the public
purse and wealth of the nation on his own desires and on
strengthening his power. Many, many Muslims lived in
poverty during his reign while he built for himself palaces and
mansions. In addition, so that the people would not rise up against
him, he kept them uninformed and ignorant.
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.) lived at this time
in Madinah. There he used to broaden the awareness of the
people and teach them the true concepts of religion. He used
to speak badly of injustice and oppression and encourage the
people in their natural desire for justice. He used to teach the
people the value of rising up against oppressors to acquire
one's rights and to establish the true Islam in society, and to
give the oppressors their just what they deserve
News of Imam Baqir's teachings reached Hisham, and
he saw his government to be in danger. He was angry and
ordered that Imam Baqir (A.S.) be brought from Medina to
his capital at Damascus.
The government ministers and leading men of
Damascus were present when Imam Baqir (A.S.) was
brought in. Imam Baqir entered and sat down without paying
any attention to Hisham. Hisham became even angrier at
this behavior of the Imam and with shouts and a display of
irritation tried to make the Imam feel threatened.
"O Muhammad ibn Ali", he said, "I have heard reports
of your encouraging the people to rise up against my
government.
"If this is `.rue", he continued, `you had better stop it at
once. Otherwise your life will be in danger."
Following this, the vile ministers and courtiers who
surrounded Hisham added their own words in order to
threaten and frighten the Imam.
Imam Baqir (A.S.) stood up. He began his speech in the
Name of God and by thanking and praising Him. Then he
addressed the people in the hall, saying:
"O ignorant, deceived people, around what type of
person have you gathered? Whose pleasure have you
acquired? You have made God angry with you and purchased
degradation in the world and punishment in the Hereafter.
Do you know who has been threatened in your presence? Do
you know who I am? I am the son of your Prophet. I am the
Imam and leader of the Muslims. God has entrusted me with
this responsibility. I understand Islam. I know the contents of
the Quran. I know the path to your prosperity and success.
Why do you support this tyrant? Don't you see his injustice
and oppression? Are you unaware of the poverty and need of
the people? Are you not Muslims that you sit silently in the
face of injustice and oppression and quietly endorse it? Fear
God and rise up for Him and destroy this oppressive
government. In this way you will acquire for yourselves
felicity and honor in this world and in the Hereafter."
Hearing these words of Imam Baqir (A.S.), Hisham
became enraged and ordered the Imam to be imprisoned.
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.) did not remain silent,
even in prison. He used to speak to the prisoners and call
them to rise up for God. The prisoners listened to him and
liked him and began to revolt against the government of the
tyrant Hisham within the prison walls.
Hisham then felt the pressure of danger from all sides,
and he finally considered it better to have Imam Baqir (A.S.)
sent back to Madinah, which he did.