The eleventh bright star of Imamate appeared on the horizons of the sky of guardianship (willayat) in Madina and set in Samarra.
His name was Hassan and surname Abu Mohammad and the well-known titles were “Zaki” and “Askari”. His father was Imam Hadi (A), whereas his mother’s name was Sausan.
He was 22, when his father was martyred and the period of his Imamate, following his father’s death, was six years. He was 28, when martyred by “Motamid” the Abbasade caliph in the year, 260 Hijrah and was buried in Samarrah.
His only son is Mohammad Mehdi (Mehdi, the promised one) who will upon his advent; fill up the world with equity, justice, and fairness.
Islam, because of the severe control and restraint in the age of Imam Askari (A), had lost its influence and dissemination. The power helms particularly, Muttawil the Abbasade caliph, endeavored to keep Imam (A) out of the reach of people.
Since they had learnt that the twelveth Imam (A) will come into existence from Imam Askari (A) and he is the one who will disappear from the sights and acquire the leadership of the Islamic Ummah and establish a single Universal government, they were strictly vigilant about the affairs of the Imam (A).
But the God, who had saved and defended Musa (Moses) (A) from the governmental machinery of Pharos, could bring the future leader of the Islamic Ummah too into existence, away from the sights of people.
Special features of Imam’s (A) morality
Imam Hassan Askari (A) was a gracious personality and an unmatched exigest of Quran. More than a hundred well-known wise men remained continuously present in his assembly. During a period of sixteen years, when he lived in Iraq, the territories from Syria up to Madina, particularly Iran was under his influence. Imam’s (A) spiritual and knowledge’s influence went to the extent that it overwhelmed the court of “Almotaz” and all the wise men busy in his government missionary got enamored enticed, and fascinated by Imam (A). When Imam (A) traveled to Iran and crossed over the Lawasan via Qum and Rai, the people captivated and fascinated by the school of Ahl al-Bayth (A), gathered all around him and expressed their warm feelings and sentiments for him. He made a speech before the people of Lawasan and ordered them to build a mosque and declare it as their base.
This command of Imam (A) proved so effective that they got busy in building seventy mosques on a single day.
One of the courtiers of Abbasade government named “Ahmed bin Khaqan”, who was an enemy of the Prophet’s family, said one day “I have not seen anybody in Samarra, among the Bani Hashim family, more pious, virtuous and chaste than Imam Hassan Askari (A). If the caliphate goes out of the Bani Abbasade’s hands then no one except “Hassan Askari (A)” will be capable and fit for it. Then he said, “one day I was present with my father when Hassan Askari (A) arrived there, although he was the enemy of the Prophet’s family, yet he got up from his place, kissed his hand and made him seated upon his own place and sat before him like a pupil in front of a teacher and lent ears to his wards.
Imam’s (A) Wisdom
Imam (A) was like a roaring river of wisdom, which quenched the thirst of those thirsty for it. As per “Khawarzamis” statement eighteen thousand men, thirsty for knowledge, benefited from his assembly. The first one out of the Abbasade caliph Almotaz’s court, who took an oath of allegiance for him was the famous Iranian genius and talented person named “Mohammad bin Masood Shirazi.”
It is narrated that such was his wisdom that even Kindi the teacher of “Abu Nasr Farabi” was defeated and failed in discussion with him, and burnt down his book which he had written against Islam.
The Christian scholars had become so enticed and enchanted by his knowledge and wisdom that they called him the Christ.
Once, when Imam (A.S.) faced the questions of those men who had come from different countries of the world for this purpose, he answered their question in their own various languages. All of them got amazed and surprised at it.
Imam’s (A) letter to one of his friends
Imam (A) used to write letters to his friends and companions. One of the letters written to “Ali bin Babuya Qumi” who is one of the dignitaries and great Shia men. The translation of some parts of it says:
After the praise, eulogy, panegyric of God I recommend to you, who is one of our friends, to be pious, forgive the fruits of people, and subdue your anger and look after your relatives and near ones and fulfill the needs of the distressed ones, have a clear and exact insight and perception about your religion, get to know, (be familiar to) your Quran, and be vigilant (alert and cautious) about your prayers and worshiping. Always practice upon my orders and make my Shias practice upon that.
Brief Sayings of Imam (A)
1. Lead a simple life and avoid spending lavishly and with immoderation.
2. Reach whomsoever, solute him and when you arrive an assembly, sit at a low place became, this is from the humbleness.
3. Avoid telling lie, as it is the key to the evils.
4. Whosoever is not a friend of Ahl al-Bayth (A) is a hypocrite.
5. Whosoever has faith in the resurrection day and hereafter, fulfills his commitments (promises).
