Imam al-Hasan b. Ali al-Askari (a): Difference between revisions

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| above = Al-Hasan b. 'Ali al-'Askari<br /> <small>11th [[Shi'a]] [[Imam]] </small> <br /> <small>13th [[Infallible]]</small> <br />

| image = [[File:مرقد امام هادی علیه السلام.jpg|280px|frameless|center]]

| header2 =

| header3 =

|data4= {{Birth date|846|12|8|df=yes}} CE <br> ([[Rabi' al-Thani 10]], [[232]])

|data6= [[Rajab 3]] [[254]]/[[July 2]], 868

|label8 = Martyrdom

|data8= {{Death date and age|874|1|5|846|12|8|df=yes}} <br> ([[Rabi' al-Awwal 8]], [[260]])

|data9= Samarra, [[Iraq]]

|data11= Samarra,Iraq <br> {{Coord|34|11|55.6|N|43|52|24.2|E|type:landmark|display=inline}}

|data12= [[Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Mahdi (a)]]

|data13= [['Ali b. Muhammad al-Hadi (a)]]

|data15= [[Muhammad b. 'Ali al-Hadi (a)|Muhammad]], al-Husayn,[[Ja'far b. 'Ali al-Hadi (a)|Ja'far (Ja'far al-Kadhdhab)]]

|data16= 'A'isha

|data21= Ibn al-Rida, al-Naqi, al-Hadi

|below = <center>'''The Twelve Imams'''<br>[[Imam Ali (a)|'Ali]], [[Imam al-Hasan (a)|al-Hasan]], [[Imam al-Husayn (a)|al-Husayn]], [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)|al-Sajjad]], [[Imam al-Baqir (a)|al-Baqir]], [[Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a)|al-Sadiq (a)]], [[Imam Musa al-Kazim (a)|al-Kazim]], [[Imam 'Ali al-Rida (a)|al-Rida]], [[Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a)|al-Taqi]], [[Imam 'Ali al-Hadi (a)|al-Hadi]], [[Imam Hasan al-'Askari (a)|al-'Askari]], [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)|al-Mahdi]]</center>

'''ʾAbū Muḥammad al-Ḥasan b. ʿAli (a)''' (b. [[232]]/846 - d. [[260]]/874) was the 11th [[Imam]] of [[Twelver Shi'a]] and the father of [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]]. He was known as '''Imam al-'Askari''', born in [[Medina]]. "'Askar" means a military camp or town. [[Samarra]] is known with this name and Imam's (a) title as "al-'Askari" was because of his inescapable living in that town.

Severe restrictions on Imam al-'Askari's (a) life made him choose agents to communicate with [[Shi'a]]. [['Uthman b. Sa'id]] was one of his special agents who became the first [[especial deputy]] of [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]] upon the beginning of his [[occultation]] after Imam al-'Askari (a) was martyred.

Many [[hadith]]s have been narrated from Imam al-'Askari (a) on different topics such as the [[commentary of Qur'an]]'s [[verse]]s, [[ethics]], [[fiqh]], Islamic beliefs, [[supplications]] and [[Ziyara]]s.

== Lineage, Kunya and Titles ==

The lineage of Imam al-'Askari (a) is as follows: al-Hasan b. [[Imam 'Ali b. Muhammad al-Hadi (a)|'Ali]] b. [[Imam Muhammad b. 'Ali al-Jawad (a)|Muhammad]] b. [[Imam 'Ali b. Musa al-Rida (a)|'Ali]] b. [[Imam Musa b. Ja'far al-Kazim (a)|Musa]] b. [[Imam Ja'far b. Muhammad al-Sadiq (a)|Ja'far]]. His mother was a concubine called Hudayth or Hudaytha. Some other sources report the name of his mother Susan, 'Asfan, or Salil and have praised her saying, "she was among the mystic and the righteous."

 

"Al-'Askari" is the Imam al-Hadi (a), father of Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a) lived in [[Samarra]] for 20 years and 9 months; so, he (a) was known as "al-'Askari".

Imam's (a) Kunya was Abu Muhammad.

== Birth and Martyrdom ==

Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a) was born in in [[Medina]] in [[Rabi' al-Thani]], 4, 8, or 10, [[232]]/846 and lived for 28 years. Some reported his birth in [[231]]/845.

 

== Wife and Children ==

According to the famous report, Imam al-'Askari (a) never married and his lineage continued only through a concubine who was the mother of [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]]. However, according to [[al-Shaykh al-Saduq]] and [[al-Shahid al-Thani]], the mother of Imam al-Mahdi (a) was not a concubine and had married Imam al-'Askari (a).

For the name of the mother of Imam al-Mahdi (a), in addition to [[Narjis]] which was known to [[Shi'a]] in the late centuries, the most other famous name seen in different sources has been Saqil.

Other names reported for here have been Susan, Rayhana and Maryam.

Since Imam al-'Askari (a) was the father of Imam al-Mahdi (a), this aspect of his life has always been prominent and known to Shi'a. According the [[Twelver Shi'a]], Imam al-Mahdi (a) was born on [[Sha'ban 15]], [[255]]/[[August 2]], 869, but there are other less frequent reports mentioning 254/868 and 256/870.

There are other reports about the children of Imam al-'Askari (a) as well. Some have listed 3 sons and 3 daughters for him. Al-Khasibi has listed two sisters named Fatima and Dalala for Imam al-Mahdi (a) and Ibn Abi l-Thalj has mentioned a brother called Musa and two sisters called Fatima and 'A'isha (or Umm Musa) for Imam al-Mahdi (a). However, in some references of lineage, the above-mentioned names are brothers and sisters of Imam al-'Askari which may have been mistaken with his children. On the contrary, some Sunni scholars such as Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Yahya b. Sa'id and Ibn Hazm believed that Imam al-'Askari (a) did not have any children at all.

[[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] believed that due to having all necessary virtues, his superiority over all his contemporary people in issues related to [[imamate]] and also regarding the [[hadith]]s narrated from [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]], after Imam al-Hadi (a), his son, al-Hasan b. 'Ali (Imam al-'Askari (a)) was the 11th Imam of [[Shi'a]]. In one of the hadiths from Imam al-Hadi (a), [['Ali b. 'Umar al-Nufayli]] says, "I was with Imam al-Hadi (a) in his house and his son, [[Muhammad b. 'Ali al-Hadi (a)|Muhammad]] –Abu Ja'far– passed by. I told Imam al-Hadi (a), 'May I be sacrificed for you! Will that be our Imam after you?' He (a) said, 'After me, al-Hasan will be Imam."

Except few people who followed imamate of Muhammad b. 'Ali (who passed away at the time of his father, Imam al-Hadi (a)) and very few people who declared [[Ja'far b. 'Ali al-Hadi (a)|Ja'far b. 'Ali]] as their Imam, majority of the companions of Imam al-Hadi (a) accepted the imamate of Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a). Al-Mas'udi regarded majority of [[Twelver Shi'a]] followers Imam al-'Askari (a) and his son and they have been known in history as Qat'iyya.

Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a) was brought to [[Samarra]] with his father in [[233]]/847 when he was one year old and lived there until the end of his life.

=== Contact with Shi'a ===

Therefore, Imam al-'Askari (a) was asked to inform the Abbasid government about his presence in Samarra and regarding the report of one of the servants of Imam (a), he (a) had to go to Dar al-Imara (residence of emir) every Monday and Thursday.

[[Shi'a]] had problem for meeting Imam (a), as once, when the caliph was going to visit the governor of [[Basra]] and was taking Imam (a) with himself, the companions of Imam (a) were preparing themselves for seeing him on the way. From this report, it can be understood well that in the life of Imam al-'Askari (a), at least there has been a time when meeting him directly was not possible.

Isma'il b. Muhammad says, "I disguised as a beggar and sat on the way of Imam (a) and asked him for money." Another narrator says, "One day Imam (a) was going to Dar al-Khilafa, we gathered in al-'Askar [military camp] for seeing him on the way, but we received a letter with this message, 'No one should ever greet me or points to me, because you are not safe.'" This report shows it well how much the caliphate government had put the connection of Imam with Shi'a under surveillance. However, Imam (a) and his followers met each other in any opportunities and there have been covers for such contacts. One of the best means of communication between Imam (a) and Shi'a has been correspondences, cases of which have been frequently mentioned in different sources.

Strict limitations of the caliphs on the life of Imam (a) made him benefit from agents to communicate with Shi'a, among whom was 'Aqid, the special servant of Imam (a) who was raised by Imam (a) and delivered many of his letters to Shi'a. Another agent was a person whose kunya was Gharib Abu al-Adyan who was another servant of Imam (a) and delivered some of the letters. However, [['Uthman b. Sa'id]] was a particular person in some [[Twelver Shi'a]] sources who was called [[Bab]] (representative and the connection with Imam (a)). Upon entering the age of [[Minor Occultation]] after Imam al-'Askari (a) was martyred, 'Uthman b. Sa'id became the first [[special deputy]] of [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]].

=== Position in Samarra ===

Even though Imam al-'Askari (a) was very young, he (a) was very famous due to his scientific and moral position, his leadership of [[Shi'a]], their sincere following of him, and unquestioned respect of people. Also, since people knew him and paid attention to him, except for few cases, [[Abbasid]] government showed respect to him in appearance.

[[Sa'd b. 'Abd Allah al-Ash'ari]], among famous Shi'a scholars who probably had met Imam al-'Askari (a) said, "In [[Sha'ban]] of 278/891 – 18 years after demise of Imam al-'Askari (a), we were in a meeting where Ahmad b. 'Ubayd Allah b. Khaqan was there, whose father was a trustworthy minister of Abbasids who was in charge of taking the tax of [[Qom]] and was an enemy of [[descendants of the Prophet (s)]]. The discussion was led to where [[Talibids]] of [[Samarra]], their religion, and their position before the caliph were mentioned. Ahmad said, "I had not seen an [['Alawi]] like al-Hasan b. 'Ali al-'Askari (a) in Samarra who would be known among his relatives with dignity, modesty, intelligence, and honor and would be so honorable before Sultan and [[Banu Hashim]], as they know him superior to the elderly and even commanders, ministers and secretaries. Once I was standing beside my father when he sat to meet with people. One of the doorkeepers came and said, Ibn al-Rida [i.e. Imam al-'Askari (a)] is standing at the door.' My father loudly said, 'Let him in!'. When he (a) entered and my father saw him, went forth to him with some steps -which I had not seen he would ever do even for commanders and princes. When my father reached him [Imam (a)] hanged his hand on his [Imam's (a)] neck and kissed his face and forehead; then, took his hand and placed him in his own seat. My father sat in front of him and began speaking with him. In his speech, he addressed him [Imam (a)] in a manner which implied respect and frequently said, "My father and mother be sacrificed for you…". At night, I went to my father and asked him, 'O father! Who was that man you respected and venerated him so much and even said you would sacrifice your father and mother for?' He said, 'He (a) was Imam of [[Rafidi]]s.' Then, he became silent. After a moment, he continued, 'my son! If one day caliphate goes out of the hands of the [[Abbasids]], among Banu Hashim, there is no one competent to take it except him. He (a) deserves to have the position of caliphate due to his merits, dignity, piety, worship, and good manner. If you saw his father. He (a) was a very noble, wise, benevolent, and meritorious.' Hearing these words, I became so angry; however, I was curious to know him. I asked everyone from [[Banu Hashim]], secretaries, judges, scholars of [[fiqh]] and even common people about him and found him extremely great, noble and superior to others among the descendants of [[the Prophet (s)]] among them. Everyone said, 'He (a) is Imam of Rafidis.' Since then, he (a) became more important in my mind because friends and enemies of him admired him well."

The servant of Imam al-'Askari (a) said, "Every once that Imam al-'Askari (a) went to the court of caliph, an unusual excitement and happiness was seen among people. The streets on his way became full of people who were riding their horses. When Imam (a) came, the crowd would become silent at once. He (a) passed through the crowd and entered the court."

=== Contemporary Caliphs ===

The [[imamate]] of Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a) was contemporary with three Abbasid caliphs:  

* [[Al-Mu'tazz]] ([[252]]/866 – [[255]]/869),

* [[Al-Muhtadi]] (255/869 – [[256]]/870),

* [[Al-Mu'tamid]] (256/870 – [[279]]/892-893).

== Periods of Detention ==

As it was mentioned previously, taking [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]] with Imam al-'Askari (a) to [[Samarra]] by the order of [[al-Mutawakkil]], by itself meant detention of these two Imams (a) in that city in order to control them and their contacts with [[Shi'a]]. In some cases of their detention, they were bothered more, especially when certain movements emerged which were considered threats to the government, Imam al-'Askari (a) and some of his companions were imprisoned. There are many reports about detention of Imam al-'Askari (a). In ''[[al-Awsiya']]'', [[al-Saymuri]] has reported that, "I saw the handwriting of Abu Muhammad al-'Askari (a) when he (a) was coming out of the prison of al-Mu'tamid and he (a) had written this [[verse]] of the [[Qur'an]],  

|They desire to put out the light of [[Allah]] with their mouths, but Allah shall perfect His light though the faithless should be averse.

[[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] narrated from [[Muhammad b. Isma'il al-'Alawi]], "Imam al-'Askari (a) was prisoned with 'Ali b. Awtamash (or Barmash) who was among serious enemies of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]. He was ordered to be harsh on Imam (a) as much as he could, but later after meeting Imam (a)و he departed Imam (a) when he had learned about the greatness of Imam (a) more than anyone else and praised him greatly.

A little before his martyrdom in late 259/873, Imam al-'Askari (a) sent his mother to [[hajj]] and told her about what would happen to him in [[260]]/874 and gave consults to [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]] and gave him the [[heritage of imamate]] and the weapon. Imam's (a) mother went to [[Mecca]] and took Imam al-Mahdi (a) with her.

[[File:تخریب حرم عسکریین ع به دست وهابی ها.jpg|thumbnail|Demolition of the Shrine of 'Askariyyayn by Takfiri Terrorists]]

Imam al-'Askari (a) became sick on the beginning of [[Rabi' al-Awwal]] 260/874 and passed away on [[Rabi' al-Awwal 8]]/[[April 23]], 864 at the age of 28 in Surr man ra'a ([[Samarra]]). He (a) was buried in the same house his father (s) had buried.