Imam Hasan Askary

Imam Hasan Al-Askary

The month of Rabi ul Aakher brings the birth of Imam Hasan Al Askary (A.S.).

He was born on the 10th of Rabi ul Aakher 232 AH (6th December 846 CE) in Madina.

Imam lived most of his life of 28 years in the military town of Surre mun ra’ now known as Samarra which is about 60 miles north of Baghdad. His title Askery is the Arabic word for army. As he lived in the army town his title became Askery. His father was also known as Askery.

He was very close to his father and brothers Muhammad and Husayn. When Muhammad (Abu Ja’fer) died, Imam was always with his brother Husayn. Both of them came to be known as As-Sibtayn just like their grandfathers before them – Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (AS)

Imam with his father and family was almost always under house arrest.

When his father Imam Ali An Naqi (AS) was poisoned, Imam assumed Imamate at the age of 22 years.

Ahmed Bin Ishaq relates that when he heard of the death of the 10th Imam he went to Samarra and asked for the whereabouts of the 11th Imam. He was told that Imam had been imprisoned by Mu'taz Billah. After bribing the guards he was able to visit Imam one night. He described the prison as a tunnel under the Khalifa's home where there was no space to stretch ones legs nor room to be able to stand. Ahmed says he cried when he saw Imams condition. Food was only one glass of water and a piece of dry bread a day. Despite being restricted he taught the message of Rasulullah (SAW) and is also reported to have written a tafseer of the Qur’an. He introduced the institution of "Taqleed" advising people to follow those who were learned and righteous as he was in prison and it was extremely difficult for people to meet him.

He was imprisoned because all the rulers knew of the justice that was promised to come with the coming of the 12th Imam and they wished to prevent anyone being born of the 11th Imam.

Whilst in prison he told his companions to accumulate all the laws of Fiqh and he completed the chapters that were found missing.

There was once a severe drought in Samarra and a Christian priest came who whenever he raised his hands caused rain to fall from the heavens. The Muslims faith started wavering and the Khalifa Mu'taz Billah got worried for if they left Islam he would have none to rule over. He went to the 11th Imam saying that Imam's grandfathers religion was in trouble. Imam asked him to call all the people outside Samarra with the Christian priest. He asked the Christian priest to pray for rain. When he raised his hands to pray it started to rain. Imam asked for whatever was in this hands to be taken away and then asked him to pray for rain again. There was no rain this time. Imam showed that what the priest had in this hand was the bone of a Prophet which whenever placed under the open sky caused it to rain. Imam then prayed for rain and it rained. Mu'taz could not re imprison Imam for some time for when the people saw the miracle they all wanted to visit Imam and asked where they might find him. Imam pointed to the Khalifa and asked them to ask him. Mu'taz told them that Imam was staying at the house where the 10th Imam used to reside. Imam was allowed out of prison for 13 months after which he was rearrested.

Imam was married to Nargis, the daughter of the Emperor of Rum. (A detailed account of the marriage is told by Allama Majlisi in Biharul Anwar). Imam Muhammad Al Mahdi (AS) was born.

In the six years of his Imamate several attempts were made on his life. On the 1st of Rabi-ul Awwal 260 a.h. Mu'tamad arranged for Imam to be poisoned in prison and then sent him home. Imam was in great pain and difficulty for 8 days. On the 8th of Rabi-ul Awwal he asked his son, the 12th Imam, to bring him some water and then leave him. He died that day and was given ghusl & kafan by the 12th Imam. The Caliph Al-Mu'tamid himself attended the funeral prayer. When they all lined up and were ready to commence the prayers, Imam Hasan Al-Askari's brother Ja’far stood in front of the people to lead the prayer. Before he could commence the prayer, a five year old boy came out of the house, went near his uncle. Shook his mantle and told him, "Set aside uncle, only an Imam can lead the funeral prayer of an Imam". His uncle Ja’far stepped aside and this five year old boy lead the prayers. Immediately after the end of the prayer he went inside his house and was not seen by his pursuers, lead by the caliph Mu'tamid himself. It was the first time that most Shia's saw him for the first time. A large number of people attended the funeral and he is buried in Samarra in the same house where he died by the side of his father Imam Ali An Naqi (AS). With the passage of time, it has been transformed into a shrine visited by pilgrims from all over the world.

The 11th Imam was once asked of the signs of a mu'min (believer).He listed the following signs.

1.He is one prays 51 rakaats of salaa daily.

2.He prostates on Khake Shafaa.

3.He wears rings on his right hand.

4.He repeats the verses of Azhan & Iqama.

5.He recites Ziyara 'Arba'een.

6.He recites "Bismillah" loudly in Salaa.

7.He prays his Fajr Salaa before the stars disappear and his Dhuhr prayers before the sun starts to decline.

8.He recite Qunoot in Salaa.

9.He dyes his hair and beard.

10.He recites 5 takbirs in Salatul Mayyit