The martyrdom of Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) is a pretext for an abridged review on the life of this holy Imam (A.S).
Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) was born on the 11th Sha'ban 231 A.H. or 232 A.H. in Medina.
Imam Hadi (A.S) was his father and his mother was Hadith or Saleel.
She was such a very virtuous and meritorious women that after the martyrdom of the eleventh Imam, she was considered as a place of refuge for the Shiahs.
After the martyrdom of Imam Reza (A.S), his childrens were called as Ibn - ur - Reza. Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) was also called by this laqab (title).
During the year 235 A.H., Imam Hadi (A.S) was forced to come to Iraq from Medina by the cruel rulers of Bani Abbas. At that time, Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) was only three or four years old. Due to frequent visits by the people, the caliph had ordered that they should live in a military area and be under tight government surveillance.
Therefore, the Laqab (title) of Askariain was given to them. Askari means army.
The reason for such a harsh treatment was that they had heard an authentic and reliable tradition from the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A) and the holy Infallibles (A.S) to the effect that the son of Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) will be the promised Divine leader who will destroy injustice and corruption from this world.
He will cast the shadow of Tauhid and Belief in the Almighty on this Earth.
The fragrance of universal equality and truthfulness will fill the universe.
In knowledge and virtue. Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) was the sole contender of his time.
Saleh Ibn Wasif was one of the cruel and rigid mercenaries of Bani Abbas.
He had been ordered to be very unkind and harsh towards the Imam (A.S). He says " I appointed two wicked and cruel persons as jailors to surveil upon Imam Hasan Askari ( A.S). But, after some days, they became good and virtous people offering Namaz and keeping fast. When they were asked about this change, they said, what can we say about the value and greatness of a man who fasts all the day and performs prayers during the night. Whenever he looks at us, his awe-inspiring and magnanimity draws us near him and inspires us towards goodness.
Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) was incomparable in learning and virtue. The Christian priest of "Dir Aaqool" was a learned man in medical science. His parallel could not be found amongst the Christians. Seeing one of the knowledgeable works of Imam Hasan Askari (A.S), this Christian priest embraced Islam. He was with Imam (A.S) till he died.
Imam (A.S) was the place of shelter and refuge for the Shiahs. In difficulties and chaotic conditions, the Shiahs would look at him as the only source of asylum and inspiration. In Samerra, a severe drought had occurred. The Caliph had ordered to recite prayers for rain. The people had prayed for three days and it had not rained. On the fourth day, Jaaslik and the Christian priest had gone out of the city to pray for rain. A large number of people had also accompanied them.
When the Christian priest raised his hand towards the sky to pray for rain, the clouds gathered and it rained heavily. Many of the people casted doubt and became inclined to the Christian priest.
When the Caliph saw such a situation, he ordered that Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) should be freed from the jail and brought before him. He narrated the incident of the Christian priest and the rain and the doubt of the people about Islam for the Imam (A.S). The next day, the Christian people along with the people went out of the city to pray for the rain. The Imam (A.S) was also amidst the crowd. When the Christian priest raised his hands towards the sky to pray for rain, Imam (A.S) directed the people to catch his hands.
Imam (A.S) removed a piece of bone from amongst his fingers. Then, the Imam (A.S) caught the hands of the Christian priest and told him to pray for rain again this time. Suddenly, the rainy clouds dispersed and the sun appeared again from behind the clouds. The Caliph inquired from the holy Imam (A.S) about the matter of bone. Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) replied: " This Christian priest had found a grave belonging to a Prophet and had picked up a bone from the body of the Prophet. And the bone of a Prophet never appears unless it is accompanied with rain and thunder.
Yes. Our holy and infallible Imams come to our rescue and saved us from misguidance in such a way. Even, their enemies were aware of their learnings and piety. The Imam (A.S) was unparalleled in Akhlaq (behavior) and conduct.
One day, a companion of Imam (A.S) by the name of Ahmad Ibn Ishaq wished to meet his holiness. The Imam (A.S) refused permission. But, with a lot of persuasion, Imam (A.S) gives him permission. Then, he asked Imam (A.S) for the reason of not giving him permission to visit him. Then, Imam (A.S) replied that on a particular day, one of the friends of Imam (A.S) wished to meet him, and had come to his house but he had refused permission and did not allow him inside the house.
Ahmad Ibn Ishaq replied humbly that the person was a drunkard and he had told him that unless he stops drinking intoxicants, he will not allow him inside the house nor will be given permission to meet him. Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) replied: " You are speaking the truth. But you should have respected him and you should not have insulted him." When Ahmad Ibn Ishaq returned to his city, he went to meet the same person. He respected and honored him greatly. The drunkard person was astonished and asked him about this change in behaviour. Ahmad Ibn Ishaq explained to him about his meeting with Imam (A.S). When the drunkard person heard about this incident, he returned back to his house and broke all the utensils related to his drinking vice. He cried and repented for his past misdeeds. Henceforth, he become a very religious and pious person. Yes, our kind and social Imams teaches us the methods of doing goodness and social living with various people.
They teach us the different ways of guiding the people. Through his letters, Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) would always invite the people towards goodness and forbearance. He would always ask the people to wait for the reappearance and seek patience. He would narrate the famous tradition from the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A) to the effect that "the best deed and action of my nation is to wait for the reappearance of Imam Zaman (A.S)". He would say that the Shiahs are always in grief and sorrow for the Occultation of their Imam Zaman (A.S)." My son will reappear and fill the Earth with justice and equity in the same way as it has been filled with oppression and cruelty".
Imam Mahdi (A.S) was only five years old when his holy father was martyred by the tyrant Mo'tamid Abbasi. Imam Zaman (A.S) was kept hidden from the eyes of the enemies. Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) was martyred on the 8th Rabi -ul- Awwal 260 A.H. The sorrow and grief at losing the holy Imam was not limited to the people of Sammareh but the whole of Iraq and the Shiahs were grief stricken on losing their infallible Imam (A.S).
During his lifetime, Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) had on different occasions introduced his successor after him. After his martyrdom, the crown of Imamat and leadership of the Islamic Ummat was laid on the last Wasi of the Prophet and the Promised Saviour of Islam (i.e) Hazrat Imam Mahdi (A.S).
We Shiahs plead and beseech the Almighty to hasten his reappearance and shall always obey and await his Imamat. The coronation day of Hazrat Mahdi (A.S) is felicitated and congratulated for all the world Shiahs.
Tradition from Imam Hasan Askari (A.S) :
Refrain and keep away from dispute and quarrel. It take away your goodness and kindness. Rafrain from useless and vain jokes. Others will dare you and overpower you.
Ref: Muntahi - ul - Aamal , Baharul Anwar vol:50.