Hasan al-Askari
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Imam Hasan al-Askari (Arabic: الإمام الحسن بن علي العسكري) (December 6, 846 – January 1, 874), was the eleventh Shia Imam. His given name was Hasan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad.
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Birth and family life
Hasan al Askari, whose ancestor was the prophet Muhammad was born in Samarra to Ali al-Hadi and Saleel. His title al-Askari derives from the Arabic word asker which means Army. Hasan's title was reflective of his living most of his life in a garrison town. He married a Byzantine slave woman who was a granddaughter of a Roman emperor. Her name was Nargis.
House arrest
Hasan would live almost his entire life under house arrest in Samarra. Despite his confinement as a prisoner, he was occasionally allowed to go to Baghdad, although it was under guard.
Expertise
He was very knowledgeable and despite being confined to house arrest for almost his entire life, Hasan al-Askari was able to teach others about Islam, and even compiled a commentary on the Qur'an that would be used by later scholars.
Death
Hasan died at the young age of 27 on January 1, 874, by poison. He left only one son, Muhammad al-Mahdi who was five at the time of Hasan's death (although many Sunni muslims deny his existence). Hasan's funeral was attended by many people, including the Abbasid caliph Al-Mu'tamid who is thought to be responsible for the poisoning of Hasan al-Askari. It is related in Shia sources that when Hasan's brother, Jafar, was getting ready to lead the funeral prayer, Hasan's son, Muhammad, approached and told him "set aside uncle, only an Imam can lead the funeral prayer of an Imam". Jafar stepped aside, and the prayer was led by the five-year old son. It is then reported that this boy disappeared, eluding the Abbasids who were sent to find him. The Shia believe that he, Muhammad al-Mahdi, is the Mahdi; a very important figure in Islamic teaching who is believed will reappear at the end of time to fill the world with justice, peace and to establish Islam as the global religion.
Hasan was buried in the mausoleum containing the remains of his father, the Al Askari Mosque in Samarra. The site is considered a holy shrine by many Muslims, particularly for the Shia, though a bomb blast on February 22, 2006 destroyed much of the structure [1].
External links
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