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[[file:آستان امامین عسکریین.jpg|thumbnail|250px|[[The Shrine of al-'Askariyyayn]] in [[Samarra]]]]


'''Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a)''', (Arabic: {{ia|إمام الحسن العسكري}}) the eleventh Imam of [[Shia]] Muslims and the father of [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]], was born in 232/846 in [[Medina]]. During his childhood, he was forced to accompany his father to [[Samarra]],[[Iraq]], by the Abbasid caliph. He lived there under Abbasid surveillance until his martyrdom in 260/874. He was buried alongside his father, [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]], in Samarra, at a site known today as [[the Shrine al-'Askariyyayn]].


'''Imam Hasan al-Askari (a)''', the eleventh Imam of [[Shia]] Muslims and the father of [[Imam Mahdi (a)]], was born in 232 AH/846-7 AD in [[Medina]]. During his childhood, he was forced to accompany his father to [[Samarra]], in present-day [[Iraq]], by the [[Abbasid caliph]]. He lived there under Abbasid surveillance until his martyrdom in 260 AH/873-4 AD. He was buried alongside his father, [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]], in Samarra, at a site known as [[the Shrine of the Two Askari Imams]].[[file:آستان امامین عسکریین.jpg|thumbnail|250px|[[The Holy Shrine of Imams Askari (a)]] in [[Samarra]]]]
There is no reported account of Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (a) performing the [[hajj]]. Narrations from Imam al-'Askari regarding hajj and the philosophy of the '[[talbiya]]' and its expressions have been recorded. In addition to the tafsir (exegesis) of the Qur'an attributed to him, supplications from him have also been recorded in the sources.
 
There are no specific reports about Imam Hasan al-Askari (a) performing [[Hajj]]. However, narrations from him regarding the pilgrimage, its significance, and the meanings behind the phrases of "[[Labbayk]]" have been recorded. In addition to the commentary attributed to him, prayers and supplications by the Imam are also found in Islamic sources.


==Biography==   
==Biography==   
Hasan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad (a), commonly known as Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), was the eleventh Imam of the Twelve Imams in Shia Islam. His father was [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]], and his mother was a noblewoman from Nubia.<ref>Masʿūdī, ''Ithbāt al-Waṣiyya'', p. 244.  </ref> According to widely accepted accounts, he was born on the 8th of Rabi al-Thani in 232 AH/2th December 846  in [[Medina]].<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-Imāma'', p. 423; Ibn Shahrāshūb. ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 3, p. 523.</ref>   
Hasan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad (a), commonly known as Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (AS), was the eleventh Imam of the Twelve Imams in Shia Islam. His father was [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]], and his mother was a noblewoman from Nubia.<ref>Masʿūdī, ''Ithbāt al-Waṣiyya'', p. 244.  </ref> According to widely accepted accounts, he was born on the 8th of Rabi al-Thani in 232 AH/2th December 846  in [[Medina]].<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-Imāma'', p. 423; Ibn Shahrāshūb. ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 3, p. 523.</ref>   


At the age of four, in 236 AH/850 AD, or possibly in 233 AH/847 AD<ref>Ashʿarī al-Qummī, ''al-Maqālāt wa-l-Firaq'', p. 100.</ref>, he accompanied his father to Samarra after the Abbasid caliph Mutawakkil detained his father. Imam Hasan al-Askari (a) remained in [[Samarra]] until the end of his life.<ref>Masʿūdī, ''Ithbāt al-Waṣiyya'', p. 243-4.</ref>   
At the age of four, in 236 AH/850 AD, or possibly in 233 AH/847 AD<ref>Ashʿarī al-Qummī, ''al-Maqālāt wa-l-Firaq'', p. 100.</ref>, he accompanied his father to Samarra after the Abbasid caliph Mutawakkil detained his father. Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a) remained in [[Samarra]] until the end of his life.<ref>Masʿūdī, ''Ithbāt al-Waṣiyya'', p. 243-4.</ref>   


He was given the title "al-Askari" because [[Mutawakkil]] housed him in the military district of Samarra.<ref>Ibn Khallikān. ''Wafayāt al-Aʿyān'', vol. 2, p. 94.   
He was given the title "al-'Askari" because [[Mutawakkil]] housed him in the military district of Samarra.<ref>Ibn Khallikān. ''Wafayāt al-Aʿyān'', vol. 2, p. 94.   
Muʾassasat Walī al-ʿAṣr, ''Mawsūʿat al-Imām al-ʿAskarī'', vol. 1, p. 38.</ref>Additionally, he was known as "Ibn al-Ridha," a title also attributed to his father, Imam al-Hadi (a), and his grandfather, [[Imam al-Jawad (a)]], due to their lineage from Imam al-Ridha (a).<ref>Ṣadūq, ''Kamāl al-dīn wa tamām al-niʿma''. p. 41, Ibn Shahrāshūb,  ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', Vol. 3, p. 523.</ref> Other titles recorded for him in historical sources include Khālis, Khāṣṣ, Sirāj, Ṣāmit, Zakī, and Taqī.<ref>Ṭabarī,  ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'', pp. 423–424; Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib''. Vol. 3, p. 523.</ref>   
Muʾassasat Walī al-ʿAṣr, ''Mawsūʿat al-Imām al-ʿAskarī'', vol. 1, p. 38.</ref>Additionally, he was known as "Ibn al-Ridha," a title also attributed to his father, Imam al-Hadi (a), and his grandfather, [[Imam al-Jawad (a)]], due to their lineage from Imam al-Ridha (a).<ref>Ṣadūq, ''Kamāl al-dīn wa tamām al-niʿma''. p. 41, Ibn Shahrāshūb,  ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', Vol. 3, p. 523.</ref> Other titles recorded for him in historical sources include Khālis, Khāṣṣ, Sirāj, Ṣāmit, Zakī, and Taqī.<ref>Ṭabarī,  ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'', pp. 423–424; Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib''. Vol. 3, p. 523.</ref>   


Imam Hasan al-Askari’s wife was [[Lady Narjis Khatun]], and their only son was [[Imam Mahdi (a)]]<ref>Ṣadr al-Dīn al-Ḥusaynī, ''Al-Tatimma fī tawārīkh al-aʾimma'', p. 143;Shūshtarī, ''Rāḥat al-arwāḥ'', p. 267.</ref>. However, some historians have mentioned the possibility of other children attributed to him.<ref>Maṣʿūdī, ''Tārīkh al-aʾimma'', p. 22.</ref>
Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari’s wife was [[Lady Narjis Khatun]], and their only son was [[Imam Mahdi (a)]]<ref>Ṣadr al-Dīn al-Ḥusaynī, ''Al-Tatimma fī tawārīkh al-aʾimma'', p. 143;Shūshtarī, ''Rāḥat al-arwāḥ'', p. 267.</ref>. However, some historians have mentioned the possibility of other children attributed to him.<ref>Maṣʿūdī, ''Tārīkh al-aʾimma'', p. 22.</ref>
===Martyrdom===
===Martyrdom===
{{Main| Shrine of the Two Askari Imams}}   
{{Main| Shrine of the Two Askari Imams}}   


Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) was martyred at the age of 28 on the 8th of Rabi al-Awwal in 260 AH/ 1th January 874 AD, poisoned under the orders of the Abbasid caliph [[al-Mu'tamid]]. He was buried next to his father, Imam al-Hadi (a), in Samarra. This sacred site is known as the Shrine of the Two Askari Imams (al-Askariyain).<ref>Ṭūsī, Al-Ghayba, p. 219; Mufīd,  Al-Irshād, p. 323; ''Ṭabrisī, Iʿlām al-warā'', p. 131.</ref>   
Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (AS) was martyred at the age of 28 on the 8th of Rabi al-Awwal in 260 AH/ 1th January 874 AD, poisoned under the orders of the Abbasid caliph [[al-Mu'tamid]]. He was buried next to his father, Imam al-Hadi (a), in Samarra. This sacred site is known as the Shrine of the Two Askari Imams (al-'Askariyain).<ref>Ṭūsī, Al-Ghayba, p. 219; Mufīd,  Al-Irshād, p. 323; ''Ṭabrisī, Iʿlām al-warā'', p. 131.</ref>   


The burial place of Imam Hasan al-Askari (a), alongside his father, remains a revered shrine and pilgrimage destination, famously referred to as the [[Shrine of the Two Askari Imams]].<ref>Qazwīnī, ''Maʾāthir al-kubrā'', Vol. 1, p. 315.</ref>
The burial place of Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a), alongside his father, remains a revered shrine and pilgrimage destination, famously referred to as the [[Shrine of the Two Askari Imams]].<ref>Qazwīnī, ''Maʾāthir al-kubrā'', Vol. 1, p. 315.</ref>


==Period of Imamate==   
==Period of Imamate==   


Imam Hasan al-Askari (a) spent 23 years alongside his father, Imam al-Hadi (a), and, following his father’s martyrdom, became his successor at the age of 22, as per Imam al-Hadi’s will.<ref>Mufīd, ''Al-Irshād'', pp. 313–315; Ṭabrisī, ''Iʿlām al-warā bi-aʿlām al-hudā'', pp. 131–133; Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', Vol. 3, pp. 523–524.</ref> His period of Imamate lasted six years (254–260 AH/846- 874 AD).<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Al-Ghayba'', pp. 120–122.</ref>   
Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a) spent 23 years alongside his father, Imam al-Hadi (a), and, following his father’s martyrdom, became his successor at the age of 22, as per Imam al-Hadi’s will.<ref>Mufīd, ''Al-Irshād'', pp. 313–315; Ṭabrisī, ''Iʿlām al-warā bi-aʿlām al-hudā'', pp. 131–133; Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', Vol. 3, pp. 523–524.</ref> His period of Imamate lasted six years (254–260 AH/846- 874 AD).<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Al-Ghayba'', pp. 120–122.</ref>   


Imam Hasan al-Askari’s Imamate coincided with the reigns of three Abbasid caliphs: al-Mu'tazz (252–255 AH/866-868 AD), al-Muhtadi (255–256 AH/868-869 AD), and al-Mu'tamid (256–279 AH/869-892 AD).<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'' p. 423; Ṭabrisī, ''Iʿlām al-warā'', p. 349; Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', Vol. 3, p. 523.</ref> During al-Mu'tazz’s rule, the Imam was imprisoned, and an attempt was made on his life, but al-Mu'tazz was killed by Turkish forces before he could carry it out.<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Al-Ghayba'', p. 208.</ref> The harassment and imprisonment of the Imam continued during the reigns of al-Muhtadi<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Al-Ghayba'', p. 205.</ref> and al-Mu'tamid.<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Al-Ghayba'', p. 219; Mufīd, ''Al-Irshād'', p. 323; Ṭabrisī, ''Iʿlām al-warā'', p. 131.</ref>   
Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari’s Imamate coincided with the reigns of three Abbasid caliphs: al-Mu'tazz (252–255 AH/866-868 AD), al-Muhtadi (255–256 AH/868-869 AD), and al-Mu'tamid (256–279 AH/869-892 AD).<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'' p. 423; Ṭabrisī, ''Iʿlām al-warā'', p. 349; Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', Vol. 3, p. 523.</ref> During al-Mu'tazz’s rule, the Imam was imprisoned, and an attempt was made on his life, but al-Mu'tazz was killed by Turkish forces before he could carry it out.<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Al-Ghayba'', p. 208.</ref> The harassment and imprisonment of the Imam continued during the reigns of al-Muhtadi<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Al-Ghayba'', p. 205.</ref> and al-Mu'tamid.<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Al-Ghayba'', p. 219; Mufīd, ''Al-Irshād'', p. 323; Ṭabrisī, ''Iʿlām al-warā'', p. 131.</ref>   


Despite the Abbasid authorities’ strict surveillance over the Imam's residence, many of his followers, including narrators, representatives, and companions, maintained contact with him. Notable among them were Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar, [[Abd al-Azim al-Hasani]], [[Uthman ibn Sa’id al-Umari]], and [[Fazl ibn Shadhan al-Nishaburi]].<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Rijāl al-Ṭūsī'', pp. 397–400.</ref>   
Despite the Abbasid authorities’ strict surveillance over the Imam's residence, many of his followers, including narrators, representatives, and companions, maintained contact with him. Notable among them were Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar, [[Abd al-Azim al-Hasani]], [[Uthman ibn Sa’id al-Umari]], and [[Fazl ibn Shadhan al-Nishaburi]].<ref>Ṭūsī, ''Rijāl al-Ṭūsī'', pp. 397–400.</ref>   


===Books Attributed to Imam al-Askari===   
===Books Attributed to Imam al-'Askari===   


Among Imam Hasan al-Askari’s cultural contributions are several works attributed to him, including:   
Among Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari’s cultural contributions are several works attributed to him, including:   
*Kitab al-Manqaba
*Kitab al-Manqaba
*Masa'il Abi Muhammad al-Hasan al-Askari  
*Masa'il Abi Muhammad al-Hasan al-'Askari  
*Tawqi'at al-Imam al-Askari
*Tawqi'at al-Imam al-'Askari
*Tafsir attributed to Imam Hasan al-Askari<ref>Arbalī, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', pp. 208–210.
*Tafsir attributed to Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari<ref>Arbalī, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', pp. 208–210.
</ref>   
</ref>   


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==Imam Hasan al-Askari and Hajj==   
==Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari and Hajj==   


There are no conclusive reports of Imam Hasan al-Askari performing [[Hajj]]. He is widely considered the only Imam who could not perform the pilgrimage due to his house arrest in [[Samarra]].<ref>Ṣadr, ''Al-Anbiyāʾ wa al-aʾimma'', p. 466.</ref> However, some sources mention narrations from the Imam in [[Mecca]], and a report by Baladhuri indicates his presence there.<ref>Arbalī, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', Vol. 3, p. 198.</ref>   
There are no conclusive reports of Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari performing [[Hajj]]. He is widely considered the only Imam who could not perform the pilgrimage due to his house arrest in [[Samarra]].<ref>Ṣadr, ''Al-Anbiyāʾ wa al-aʾimma'', p. 466.</ref> However, some sources mention narrations from the Imam in [[Mecca]], and a report by Baladhuri indicates his presence there.<ref>Arbalī, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', Vol. 3, p. 198.</ref>   


===Sending His Family to Mecca===   
===Sending His Family to Mecca===   
It is said that shortly before his passing, Imam al-Askari sent his mother and his son, [[Imam Mahdi (a)]], to perform [[Hajj]].<ref>Masʿūdī, Ithbāt al-waṣiyya, p. 255.</ref> They traveled under the protection of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Mutahhar, a close associate of the eleventh Imam. Following the pilgrimage, it is believed they moved to [[Medina]], possibly as a place of concealment for the twelfth Imam.<ref>Ṣadr, ''Tārīkh al-siyāsī li-ghaybat al-Imām al-thānī ʿashar (ʿaj)'', p. 124.</ref>
It is said that shortly before his passing, Imam al-'Askari sent his mother and his son, [[Imam Mahdi (a)]], to perform [[Hajj]].<ref>Masʿūdī, Ithbāt al-waṣiyya, p. 255.</ref> They traveled under the protection of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Mutahhar, a close associate of the eleventh Imam. Following the pilgrimage, it is believed they moved to [[Medina]], possibly as a place of concealment for the twelfth Imam.<ref>Ṣadr, ''Tārīkh al-siyāsī li-ghaybat al-Imām al-thānī ʿashar (ʿaj)'', p. 124.</ref>


===Narrations About Hajj===   
===Narrations About Hajj===