The Life of Imam Al Hassan Al Askari

8/13/2019 The Life of Imam Al Hassan Al Askari

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TheLifeofImamalHasanalAskari

Author

:

Baqir

Shareef

al

Qurashi

Introduction

Birthandupbringing

Impressionsabouthim

Impressionsabout

him

Hisletters

Wordsoflight

WiththeHolyQuran

Histraditionsandjurisprudence

Hiscompanions

and

the

narrators

of

his

traditions

Supplement

Theageoftheimam

OppressionAndTyrannyOfViziers

Thekingsintheageoftheimam

TheReign

Of

Al

Muntasir

Tothebetterworld

Referencebooks


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Dedication

Introduction

InTheNameOfAllah,TheBeneficentTheMerciful

ImamAbuMuhammadalHasanbinAlialAskari(a.s.)istheeleventhimamoftheinfallible

imamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)whocarriedthebannerofIslam,undertookthegoalsofthetrue

religion,sacrificedtheirlivesintoitsway,andaccustomedthemselvestofacedisasters,

difficulties,andhardshiptospreadthehighvaluesandgoalsofthisreligionandhowmany

favors

they

had

done

to

Muslims!

Thisgreatimamhadintellectual,scientifictalentsandpowersthatmadehimoneofthe

geniusmenofthehumanintellect,ashewasoneoftheheroesofhistorybyhisresistingthe

differenteventsandhisstandingagainstthedeviate,oppressiveAbbasidrule.Herebelled

againstthecorruptiveregimesandsparednoeffortinachievingtruthandjusticeamong

people.

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)waslikehisfathersinhistendenciesandaims.Theyallwerelike

eachotherinreachingthehighestranksofvirtueandperfection.

Inhiswideknowledge,hewasnonesuchathistime.Historianssaythathewasthemost

knowledgeableoneinthereligiousverdictsandaffairsandthatallscholarsandulama

ofhisagewereinneedofhimtoladlefromthefountofhisknowledgeandsciences.

Hewasthemostdevoted,piousworshipperofallpeopleofhistime.Hepreferredthe

obedienceofAllahtoeverything.Hewasthemostpatientandforbearingone.Hesuppressed

hisangerandpardonedwhoeverdidhimwrong.Hewasthemostgenerous,thekindestto

thepoor,andthemostcharitabletotheneedy.Heappointedagentsinmanycountriesofthe

Islamicworld

entrusting

them

with

the

distributing

of

the

legal

dues,

which

came

to

him,

amongthepoorandtheweakofMuslimstogetthemoutoftheirpovertyanddeprivation,

whereashehimselflivedlikethepoor.Hepaidnoattentiontothepleasuresanddesiresof

thislifelikehisfatherswhoturnedtheirbackstothisworldandturnedcompletelytowards

Allahandtheafterworld.

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HistoriansmentionthatallpeopleglorifiedandhonoredImamalAskari(a.s.)and

acknowledgedhisvirtueandpreferencetoalloftheAlawidsandtheAbbasidsathistime.

Whentheimam(a.s.)cametotheAbbasidroyalpalace,everyoneoftheattendantsstoodup

andbowedglorifyinghim.Viziers,clerks,armyleaders,andallstatesmenregardedhimso

highly.AlFat~hbinKhaqan,theprimeministerofalMutawakkil,preferredImamalHasanal

Askari(a.s.)

to

all

eminent

scholars

and

ulama

and

acknowledged

that

no

one

had

the

virtues

andqualitiesthattheimam(a.s.)hadatthattime.

Itwasnaturalthatthenation,withallclasses,regardedandglorifiedImamAbuMuhammad

(a.s.)fortheysawhisguidance,piety,righteousness,asceticism,loyaltytothetruth,and

devotednesstoAllah.TheywerecertainthathewasthecaliphofAllahintheearthandthe

onlyrepresentativeofhis

grandfatherthegreatProphet(a.s.).Inadditiontothat,ImamalHasanalAskari(a.s.)

undertookthefatalissuesoftheIslamicnationanddefendedtherightsofMuslims.He

criticizedtherulersofhistimeforwrongingpeopleanddisregardingtheirrights.Therefore,

thenationglorifiedhimandacknowledgedhisnecessaryleadership.

TheAbbasidkingsbecamedispleasedwhentheysawandheardthatthemassesglorified

ImamalHasanalAskari(a.s.),andthatgreatnumbersofMuslimsbelievedinhisimamate

andthoughtthathewasworthierofthecaliphatethantheAbbasidswhohadnoqualitythat

mightmakethemfitfortheIslamiccaliphate.Spiteagainsttheimam(a.s.)filledtheheartsof

theAbbasidrulerswhotooksevereproceduresagainsthim.Theyimposedeconomical

blockadeagainsthim,andputhimunderhousearrestinSamarra.Theysurroundedhimwith

policemenanddetectivestowatchevenhisbreaths.Theysubjectedeveryonewhocontacted

withhimtoseverepunishments.ThiswasasIthinkthereasonthatmadejustfewnarrators

narratetraditionsfromhim,andsonotmanymaxims,literatures,andreligiousrulingswere

transmittedfromhim.

TherewasanotherverysensitivereasonthatledtheAbbasidstowatchImamalHasanal

Askari(a.s.)strictly.ItwasthatImamalHasanalAskari(a.s.)wasthefatherofImam

MuhammadalMahdi(a.s.)theawaitedsaviorandreformerwhowouldfilltheworldwith

justice,andwoulddestroyoppressorsandoppression.TheProphet(a.s)andhisguardians

gavegoodtidings,andtoldthenationthatthissaviorwouldspreadpolitical,socialjusticein

theearth,andallMuslimsofdifferenttrendsbelievedinthat.Therefore,theAbbasidswere

afraidofthatandthoughtthathewouldremovetheirruleandauthority.Theyspreadspies

onImam

alHasanalAskari(a.s.)toknowhisson.Theysentfemalespiestoseewhichofhiswives

wouldgivebirthtoamalebabytobetakenaway,butAllahtheAlmightymadethepregnancy


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andthebirthofImamalMahdi(a.s.)unknownasHehadmadethebirthofProphetMoses

(a.s.)unknowntothePharaoh.

ThisbookstudiestheageofImamalAskari(a.s.)andallitsevents.Thestudyoftheageis

necessarybecauseitshedslightsontheintellectual,social,economical,politicallifeofthat

age,and

naturally

it

has

direct

influence

on

the

life

of

one

who

lives

in

that

very

age,

besides

thatituncoversthedimensionsofhislifeandpersonalityandtheextentoftheinfluenceof

theeventsofthatageonhim.

Thebookshowstheeconomicallifeofthatagewhichwasneithersoundnorstablebut

confusedandparalyzed.TheAbbasidgovernmentsattheageofImamalAskari(a.s.)didnot

achieveeaseforpeopleorthenoblelifethatIslamwantedforthenation.Excessivewealth

wasaccumulatedinthepossessionofthemembersoftheAbbasidfamily,statesmen,and

theiragents.Theyspentlavishly.Theyappropriatedthetreasuresoftheearthwhilethe

majorityoftheMuslimpeoplessufferedpovertyanddeprivationbesidesthepains,sufferings,

andsubjugationtheyfacedfromthegovernmentofficialsincollectingthelandtaxandother

taxes.

WehavealsopresentedastudyonthekingsoftheageofImamalAskari(a.s.).Mostofthose

kingswereinsignificantandineffective.Theysubmittedtotheirlustsanddesiresandwere

fondofmaidsandsongstresses.Theirrednightswerefulloferring.Theywereindifferentto

whatAllahhadorderedtheguardiansofMuslimstodoinordertobetterthe

generallifeofthenation,toofferthenecessaryservicesforpeople,andtofindequivalent

opportunitiesforallcitizens.However,mostAbbasidkingsdidnothingofthat.Ratherthey

appropriatedthewealthofAllahforthemselvesandtookthepeopleofAllahasslaves.They

ranthenationviolentlyandoppressively.TheyentrustedtheTurks,whowereharsh,

ignorant,andunawareofadministrationandpolitics,withabsoluteauthorityoverthenation,

andtheysankthenationintoseditionsanddisasters.

Loyaltyimposesonaresearcherwhoresearchesinhistorytolookintothehistoricalfactswith

accuracyandscrutiny.Manyhistoricalfactsandeventsweremixedtogether,distorted,or

fabricatedbecausesomehistoriansintendedtooverlooktheerrorsofsomekingsandrulers.

Theytriedtopraisethemwithnobleepithetsandgoodqualitiesthattheydidnothave,

whereas,infact,thosekingsandrulersweretheworsttyrantswhothrewthenationintoan

abyssofoppressionandcorruption,andexploitedtheeconomyofthestatefortheirown

pleasuresandfancies,andafflictedthepublicwithpovertyandwretchedness.Itisneither

fromfidelitynorfromtruthtoregardthosetyrantswiththeeyeofholinessandsacredness

andtotrustinthemasidealpersonalities.ItistoonecessarytostudytheIslamichistory

thoughtfully,impartially,andawayfromanyfanaticism.Authorsmustwritejustforthetruth


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andthegoodofthenation.

Also,inthisbook,wehavementionedagroupofjurisprudents,scholars,andnarratorswho

narratedtraditionsfromImamAbuMuhammadalAskari(a.s.)andtookfromhisknowledge

andsciences.ThisisnecessaryasIthinkbecauseitcompletestheresearchonthenoble

personalityof

the

imam

(a.s.)

for

it

shows

the

extent

of

his

association

with

the

men

of

knowledgeandtheirassociationwithhimatthatcritical

periodwheretheAbbasidgovernmentputtheimamunderseverewatch,andpunished

whoeverassociatedwithhim.Thisconfinementaffectedtheimam(a.s.)andcausedhim

muchpain,becausenothingwouldbemorepainfultothegeniusandtalentedpersonsmore

thanpreventingthemfromshowingtheirknowledgeandsciencesandtransmittingtheir

opinionsandideasafterthem.

Andhere,IfinditfromgratefulnessandloyaltytothegreateffortsofthegrandAllamamy

brotherSheikhHadiSharifalQurashiwhowentthroughsomereferencebooksconcerning

thesubjectofthisbookbesideshisusefuldirectionsandvaluableinstructions.IprayAllahto

rewardhimwiththebestofHisrewardthatHerewardsHisloyalpeoplewith.

HolyNajafBaqirSharifalQurashi

Birthandupbringing

TheImamsNobleLineage

ImamAbuMuhammadalHasanalAskari(a.s.)wasfromtheheartofthepropheticfamilyby

whichAllahhadhonoredtheArabsandMuslims.Itwastheholiestfamilythathadundertakenthe

issuesoftruthandjusticeamongallpeoplesoftheearth.Therewas,is,andwillbenolineagein

thisworldlikethisnoblelineagewhichImamalAskari(a.s.)belongedto.

HewasthesonofImamalHadibin[1]ImamMuhammadalJawadbinImamAliarRedhabin

ImamMusaalKadhimbinImamJafarasSadiqbinImamMuhammadalBaqirbinImamAli

ZaynolAabidin(asSajjad)binImamalHusaynbinImamAlibinAbuTalib(peacebeonthem).

TheseweretheinfallibleimamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)whomAllahhadkeptuncleannessaway

fromandpurifiedathoroughpurifying,andwhomtheProphet(a.s)hadmadeastheboatof


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rescueandsafetyforpeople.

[1]Binmeanssonof.

HisFather

HisfatherwasImamAlialHadi(a.s.),thetenthimamoftheShia.Hewasfromthemastersofthe

AhlulBayt(a.s)andthemostknowledgeable,pious,andvirtuousofallpeopleathistime.

HisMother

Hismotherwasthebestofwomenathertimeinherchastity,purity,andpiety.Historianssayshe

wasfromthegoodknowingwomen.[1]ImamalHadi(a.s.)praisedherbysaying,Saleel(her

name)waspurifiedfromerror,defect,andimpurity.[2]

Shewasabondmaid[3]fromanNawbah.[4]Itdidnotharmherthatshewasabondmaid,forman

intheviewofIslamisexaltedbyhisguidance,piety,andpropriety,andheisdegradedby

deviationfromtherightpath.

Historiansdisagreedonhername.SomeofthemsaidhernamewasSaleelwhichwasthemost

correctaccordingtotheprevioustraditionofImamalHadi(a.s.).Somesaidshewascalled

Sawsan.[5]OtherssaidhernamewasHadithah,[6]andotherssaidHareebah.

[1]UyunalMujizat.

[2]AyanashShia,vol.3p.289.

[3]UsulalKafi.

[4]SirrasSilsilahathThahabiyyah,p.39.AnNawbahisawideareainthesouthofEgypt.The

Prophet(a.s)praisedthepeopleofanNawbahbysaying,Whoeverhasnobrother,lethimtakea

brotherfromanNawbah.

[5]BiharalAnwar,vol.50p.37.

[6]AlIrshad,p.315.

TheGreatNewbornChild

Thebirthofthenewbornboy,AbuMuhammad,thedescendantofprophethoodandthe

remainderofimamate,madetheworldshineandmadeYathrib(Medina)andSamarrabloom.

Thisgreatnewbornbabywasthecontinuityofthelifeofhisinfalliblefatherswholitthe

intellectuallifeintheworldofIslam.DelightandjoyfilledtheheartsofthePropheticfamilyfor

theyknewthathewouldbetheimamafterhisfatherasImamalHadi(a.s.)hadtoldthem.


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SomehistorianssaidhewasborninMedina,[1]andsomeotherssaidinSamarra.[2]Historians

alsogavedifferentdatesforhisbirth.ItwassaidthathewasborninRabeealAwwal[3]

230AH,[4]or231,[5]or232,[6]or233.[7]

CeremoniesOfBirth

Afterthebirthofthisblessedson,ImamalHadi(a.s.)recitedtheazaninhisrightear,andthe

eqamainhisleftear.Thiswasthefirsthymnthatthisblessednewbornbabymetlifewith;Allah

isgreat,thereisnogodbutAllah.

Ontheseventhdayafterbirth,ImamalHadi(a.s.)cutthehairofhisnewbornchildandgave

silverorgoldasmuchastheweightofhissonshairtothepoorascharity.

[1]AkhbaradDuwal,p.117,BahralAnsab,p.2,TuhfatalImam,p.86,IlalashSharayi.

[2]JawahiralAhkam.

[3]ThethirdmonthintheIslamiccalendar.

[4]BiharalAnwar,vol.50p.35,TareekhAbulFida,vol.2p.48,IlalashSharayi.

[5]AnNujoomazZahirah,vol.3p.32,SirrasSilsilahalAlawiyyah,p.39.

[6]BahralAnsab,p.2,AkhbaradDuwal,p.117,alIttihafBihubilAshraf,p.86,alKamil,vol.5

p.373.

[7]EncyclopediaofalBustani,vol.7p.45.

HisNameAndSurname

ImamalHadi(a.s.)namedhisblessednewbornchildasalHasanlikethenameofhisgreatuncle,

themasteroftheyouthofParadise.HesurnamedhimasAbuMuhammad,[1]andMuhammad

wasthenameoftheawaitedImamalMahdi(a.s.),thegreatreformerandsaviorofhumanityand

thesoughthopeofthedeprivedandthedisabledintheearth.

HisEpithets

Hisepithetsexpressedhishighandnoblequalities.Hewascalled:

1.AlKhalis(thepure)[2]

2.AlHadi(theguide)[3]

3.AlAskari(military);[4]hewascalledsobecauseofthecountry(Samarra)helivedinwhichwas

amilitarycamp.

4.AzZakiy(pure,chaste,righteous)[5]

5.AlKhass(peculiar),[6]thatAllahhaddistinguishedhimwithvirtuesandwiththerespondingto

hissupplications


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6.AsSamit(silent),[7]thathewassilentandhespokejustwisdom,knowledge,andthemention

ofAllah

7.AsSiraj(lamp),[8]thathewasasalamplightingthewayandguidingthedeviantto

righteousness

8.AtTaqiy(pious)[9]

[1]AkhbaradDuwal,p.117,BahralAnsab,p.2,TuhfatalAnam,p.86,anNujoomazZahirah,vol.3

p.32.

[2]AkhbaradDuwal,p.117,BahralAnsab,p.2.

[3]BahralAnsab,p.2.

[4]Ibid.

[5]TuhfatalAnam,p.87,BiharalAnwar,vol.50p.236.

[6]TuhfatalAnam,p.87.

[7]Ibid.

[8]JawharatalKalam,p.154.

[9]SafinatalBihar,vol.1p.259.

HisMien

AhmadbinUbaydillahbinKhaqansaidaboutImamalAskari(a.s.),Hewasbrownwithbigeyes,

finestature,beautifulface,andgoodbody.Hehadgravityandsolemnity.[1]Anditwassaidhe

wasbetweenbrownandwhite.[2]

HisUpbringing

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)grewupinthehouseofguidanceandthecenterofimamateand

generalauthorityofMuslimsthatnoblehousewhichAllahhadkeptuncleannessawayfromits

peopleandpurifiedthemthoroughly.

AshShabrawisaysaboutthisexaltedhouse,Whatanhonorablehouseitisandwhataglorious

lineageitis!Itisthehouseofprideandexaltation.Theyareallequalinthenobleroot,inthe

goodinners,andingloryliketheteethofacomb.Howanexaltedhouseitis!Ithascompeted

withtheheaveninitshighnessandnobility,andhasgonehigherthanthepolestarsinrankand

position.Ithasallqualitiesofperfectionthatitisnotexceptedbyotherthanorexcept.These

Imamshavebeenorderedingloryliketheorderofpearls,andharmonizedinhonorthatthefirst

ofthemequalsthenext.ManywerethosewhostrovetodegradethishousebutAllahexaltedand

stillexaltsit,andmanywerethosewhosparednoefforttoseparatetheunityofthishousebut

Allahgatheredandgathersit.HowmanyrightsofthishousewerelostbutAllahdoesnotignore

orlose[3]


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Educationalstudiessaythathousehasgreatinfluenceontheformingofmansbehaviorsandthe

buildingofhis


[2]Ibid.,p.238,AkhbaradDuwal,p.117.

[3]Al

Ittihaf

Bihubil

Ashraf,

p.68.

personality.Thegoodorbadscenesheseesinsidethehousearepressedinsidehimandshall

adheretohimthroughouthislife.Inthelightofthisfact,ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)gotthe

highestscenesofthepuresteducation.HegrewupinahousethatAllahhadpurifiedand

exaltedthathousethatraisedtheWordofAllahhighintheearthandoffereddearsacrificesfor

thesakeofIslam.

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)grewupinthehouseoftheQur'anandtheheartofIslam.Hisfather

ImamalHadi(a.s.)fedhimwithguidanceandidealstobethecontinuityofthemissionofIslam.

GodFearing

ThedistinctaspectinthechildhoodofImamAbuMuhammadalHasanalAskari(a.s.)wasthe

fearofAllah.HewasGodfearingsincehisearlyyears.Historiansmentionedthatonedaysome

manpassedbyImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)andsawhimcrywhilehewaswithhisfellow

children.Themanthoughtthatthischildcriedforthetoysinthechildrenshandsandthathe

couldnotparticipateintheirplaying.Themantoldthechildthathewouldbuyhimwhathemight

playwith.Thechildsaid,

No!Wehavenotbeencreatedforplay.

Themanwasastonishedandsaid,Then,whatforwehavebeencreated?

Thechildsaid,Forknowledgeandworship.

Themanaskedthechild,Wherehaveyougotthisfrom?

Thechildsaid,FromthissayingofAllah(What!DidyouthenthinkthatWehadcreatedyouin

vain)[1].

[1]Qur'an,23:115.

Themanwasastonishedandconfused.Hesaidtothechild,Whathashappenedtoyouwhileyou

areguiltlesslittlechild?

Thechildsaid,Beawayfromme!Ihaveseenmymothersetfiretobigpiecesoffirewoodbutfire

isnotlitexceptwithsmallpieces,andIfearthatIshallbefromthesmallpiecesofthefirewoodof

theHell.[1]


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ThefaithinAllahwasapartandanelementofImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.).Hedidnotfearbut

Allahandthisremainedinhimuntilthelastmomentofhislife.

WithHisFather

ImamAbu

Muhammad

al

Askari

(a.s.)

spent

apart

of

his

life

with

his

father

Imam

al

Hadi

(a.s.).

He

didnotpartwithhimeveninhistravels.Hesawinhisfatheratruepictureofthemoralsofhis

grandfatherthemessengerofAllah(a.s.)whohadbeenpreferredtoallprophets,andsawinhim

thespiritsofhisfatherstheinfallibleimams(a.s.).Ontheotherhand,ImamalHadi(a.s.)sawin

hissonthenaturalcontinuityofthegreatimamateandgeneralauthorityoftheProphet(a.s)and

thereforehecaredmuchforhim.Hepraisedhimsaying,

MysonAbuMuhammadisthebestoftheprogenyofMuhammad(blessingbeonhimandonhis

progeny)innature,andthemosttrustworthyinauthority.Heistheeldestofmychildren,andhe

ismysuccessorandtohimimamateandourverdictsget.[2]

Ofcourse,ImamalHadi(a.s.)wasfaraboveflatteringorsubmissiontoemotions.Hedidnot

praisehissonandannouncehisvirtueunlesshesawinhimallnobleaspects

[1]JawharatalKalam,p.155,theEncyclopediaofalBustani,vol.7p.45.

[2]AyanashShia,vol.3p.295.

andhighqualities.Anditwasso,becauseImamAbuMuhammadalAskari(a.s.)hadallvirtues

andnobilities.

ImamalHasanalAskari(a.s.)kepttohisfatherImamalHadi(a.s.)andsawwhathesufferedfrom

theAbbasidkingsespeciallyalMutawakkilwhosparednoeffortinoppressingImamalHadi(a.s.).

ThistyrantwasexcessiveinharmingtheImam.HehousearrestedhiminSamarraand

surroundedhishousewithpolicemenanddetectivestowatchhim,andtopreventtheulama,

jurisprudents,andtherestoftheShiafromassociatingwithhim.AlMutawakkilalsooppressed

ImamalHadi(a.s.)inhislivingaffairs,andorderedhismentosearchthehouseoftheimamfrom

timetotimeandtakehimtoalMutawakkilinwhateverstatehewas.ItwasalMutawakkil

himselfwhohadpreventedofficiallythevisitingtotheholyshrineofImamalHusayn(a.s.),and

orderedtheshrinetobedestroyed.AllthoseterribleeventstookplacebeforetheeyesofImam

AbuMuhammad(a.s.)whilehewasyetintheearlyyearsofhisyouth.Hisheartwasfilledwith

painsandsorrowsduringtheperiodhelivedwithhisfather.

TheDeathOfHisBrother

MuhammadAbuJafar,thebrotherofImamalAskari(a.s.),wasawonderfulexampleofthe


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infallibleimamsandatruepictureoftheirthoughtsandprinciples.Hewastoointelligent,with

highmoralsandverywideknowledgeuntilmanyoftheShiathoughtthathewouldbetheimam

afterhisfatherImamalHadi(a.s.).

AlAarifalKilanisaidaboutAbuJafar,IaccompaniedAbuJafarMuhammadbinAlisincehewas

young.Isaw

no

one

purer,

graver,

or

more

honorable

than

him.

Abul

Hasan

al

Askari

(Imam

al

Hadi)lefthiminHijazwhilehewasachildandthenhecametohimayoung.Hekepttohis

brotherAbu

Muhammad(a.s.)[1]whoeducatedhimandfedhimwithhisknowledge,wisdom,andmorals.

AbuJafarbecameseriouslyillthatmightbebecauseofpoisoninsertedforhimbytheAbbasids.

HeremainedsomedayssufferingintolerablepainswhilehisbrotherImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.),

wholovedhimtoomuch,waswithhimallthetime.However,afternolong,AbuJafarlefttothe

betterworld,butImamAbuMuhammadsheartwasbrokenandhewasverysorrowfuland

distressedforthelossofhisdearbrother.

WithHisBrotherAlHusayn

AlHusaynbinAlialHadiwasapuremanofwideknowledgeandhighmorals.Hewasalwayswith

hisbrotherImamAbuMuhammadalHasanalAskari(a.s.)andtheywerecalledasSibtayn[2]

liketheirtwograndfathersImamHasanandImamHusayn(a.s.).Theywerefamousofthis

surnameatthattime.AbuHashimsaid,Oneday,Irodeonmysumpterandsaid:(Glorybeto

HimWhomadethissubservienttousandwewerenotabletodoit).[3]OneofasSibtaynheard

mesaythatandsaidtome,Youhavenotbeenorderedofthis,butyouhavebeenorderedto

remembertheblessingofyourLordonyouwhenyourideonit(onthesumpter).[4]

[1]AlMujdifinNasab(manuscript).

[2]Thetwograndsons.

[3]Qur'an,43:13.

[4]SafeenatalBihar,vol.1p.259.

TheLossOfHisFather

ImamalHasanalAskari(a.s.)sufferedthegreatlossofhisfatheranditwastheheaviestcalamity

hehadeverfacedinhislife.

TheAbbasidtyrantalMutamidassassinatedImamalHadi(a.s.)byinsertingpoisonintohis

food,[1]whenhesawallpeopletalkhereandthereaboutthevirtuesandvastknowledgeandthe

highpositionoftheimam.HewasveryangryandwasfilledwithenvyagainstImamalHadi(a.s.).


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Then,hecommittedhisterriblecrimeagainsthim.

Afterthepoison,ImamalHadi(a.s.)sufferedterriblepainsandretiredtobed.TheShiaandhigh

statesmenvisitedhim.SomepoetsvisitedhimlikeAbuHashimalJafariwhocomposeda

sorrowfulpoemonhim.AbuDuamahvisitedhimandwhenhewantedtoleave,theimamsaidto

him,OAbu

Duamah,

you

have

aright

on

me.

Do

Itell

you

atradition

that

shall

delight

you?

AbuDuamahsaid,IaminutmostneedofthatOsonofthemessengerofAllah.

ImamalHadi(a.s.)said,MyfatherMuhammadbinAlitoldmefromhisfatherAlibinMusabin

JafarfromhisfatherJafarbinMuhammadfromhisfatherMuhammadbinAlifromhisfatherAli

binalHusaynfromhisfatheralHusaynbinAlifromhisfatherAlibinAbuTalibthatthe

messengerofAllah(a.s.)saidtohim,Writedown!Alisaid,WhatshallIwritedown?The

messengerofAllah(a.s.)said,Writedown:InthenameofAllah,theBeneficent,theMerciful.

Faithisthatwhichheartsacknowledgeanddeedsprove,andIslamisthatwhichtongueswitness

andmarriagebecomeslawfulwith.

[1]AlManaqib,vol.4p.401.

AbuDuamahsaid,OsonofthemessengerofAllah,Idonotknowwhichofthemisbetter;the

traditionorthenarrators!

AlialHadi(a.s.)said,ItisabookwrittendownbythehandofAlibinAbuTalibandthedictation

ofthemessengerofAllah(a.s.)thatweinheritonefromtheother.[1]

Beforehisdeath,ImamalHadi(a.s.)announcedthattheimamafterhimwouldbehissonAbu

MuhammadalHasanalAskari(a.s.).HeappointedhimasthegeneralauthorityfortheShiaand

entrustedhimtopreparehiscorpse(afterdeath),offertheprayeronhim,andburyhim.He

entrustedhimwithotheraffairstoo.

ToTheParadise

ThepoisonreactedinsidethebodyofImamalHadi(a.s.)andhegrewweakerandweaker.Death

approachedhimhastily,andwhenhefelthisend,heturnedtowardstheqiblahandbegan

recitingsomesurasfromtheQur'an.Hispuresoulwenthightotheheavensurroundedbyangels

whilehislipsandheartwerebusymentioningAllah.Theearthshookfortheterribledisaster.The

leader,theinstructor,andthefatheroftheweakandthedepriveddied!Abondmaidwentoutof

theImamshousecryingout,ItwasterriblethatwhichwehavemetonMondaybeforeand

now![2]


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Thewomenseyeswerefilledwithtearsafterthisalarmingcry,andtheirmemorieswentbackto

thatMondaywherethemeetingofasSaqifah[3]washeldandsincethendisastersand

misfortuneswerepouredovertheAhlulBayt(a.s).

[1]MuroojathThahab,vol.4p.171.

[2]Murooj

ath

Thahab,

vol.4

p.171.

[3]Itwasthedayoftheprolongedandacerbicnegotiationswhichprecededthenominationof

AbuBakrasthesuccessoroftheProphet(a.s)whodiedjustthenandwasnotburiedyetatthe

timeofthatmeeting.

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)washedthepurecorpseofhisfather,andenshroudedit.Thenhe

offeredtheprayeronhisfatherwhilehisheartwasfullofsorrowandpainforthegreatloss.

Samarrashookfortheterribleaffliction,andpeopleofallclasseshurriedtoescortthepure

corpseoftheirimam.Stores,markets,andstateofficeswereclosed.Viziers,ulama,judges,high

officials,andtherestmembersoftheAbbasidfamilywerebeforethebierwhilementioningthe

virtuesandhighqualitiesoftheimamandtalkingaboutthegreatlossthatafflictedtheMuslim

nation.HistorianssaidthatSamarrahadneverseensuchescortingthroughoutitshistory.

Underahalooftakbirandbeforemassesofhumanbeingswhowerelikeseawaves,ImamalHadi

(a.s.)wasputbyhissonImamAbuMuhammadalHasanalAskari,whosetearswereflowingover

hischeeks,intohislastabode.

WhenImamalHadi(a.s.)died,ImamalAskari(a.s.)wastwenty[1]ortwentythreeyearsold.[2]

HeassumedtheimamateandthegeneralreligiousauthorityoverMuslimswhilehewastoo

youngyet.

Allelementsofpietyandrighteousness,allvirtuesofthisworld,mannersofprophethood,and

qualitiesofimamateweregatheredinImamAbuMuhammadalHasanalAskari(a.s.)whom

therewasnoanyonebetterthanathistime.Herewetalkinbriefabouthisworship:

[1]BahralAnsab,p.2.


HisWorship

ImamAbuMuhammadalAskari(a.s.)wasthebestworshipperamongallpeopleofhistime.He

spentthenightwithpraying,prostrating,andrecitingtheBook.MuhammadashShakirisaid,The

imamsatinthemihrabandprostrated.Isleptandawokewhilehewasstillinprostration.[1]


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HisPrayer

Inhisprayer,heturnedwithallhisheartandfeelingstowardsAllahtheCreatoroftheuniverse

andtheGiveroflife.Hefeltorpaidattentiontonothingoftheaffairsofthislifewhilehewasin

prayer.His

soul

clung

to

Allah

devotedly

and

totally.

HisQunut

Inhisprayer,ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)recitedthisdua,OYou,Whoselightcoversdarkness,

OYou,byWhoseholinessruggedmountainpassesarelit,OYou,toWhomalltheinhabitantsof

theearthandtheheavenssubmit,OYou,toWhomeveryinsolenttyrantsurrenderwith

obedience,OYoutheAwareofhiddenconsciences,YouareMercifultoeverythingandAwareof

everything,forgivethosewhorepentandfollowYourpath,protectthemfromthetormentof

Fire,givethemsoonYourvictorythatYouhavepromisedthemofandYoudonotfailthe

promise!Devastatethepeopleofevilandtakethemtotheworstabodeintheworstpunishment

andtheugliestretreat.

OAllah,Youknowthesecretsofcreatures,andareawareoftheirconsciences.Youareinneedof

nothingexceptthatYoucarryoutwhatYouhavepromisedof.Youdonotuncoverthe

[1]DalailalImama,p.227.

[2]Qunutisasupplicationrecitedintheprayer.

hiddensecretsofYourpeople.OmyLord,YouknowwhatIconcealandwhatIshowofmy

behaviors,movements,andallmyemotions.OmyLord,Youseethesufferingsofthepeopleof

YourobedienceandwhattheymeetfromYourenemies,andYouaregenerousandnotstingyin

Yourblessings,andthemoreeffortsrequiremorereward.YouhaveorderedYourpeopleof

supplicationiftheyturntoYousincerelyandthisrequiresthemoreofYourfavors.

TheseforelocksandnecksaresubmissivetoYousubservientlyacknowledgingYourdeity,invoking

onYouwiththeirhearts,andlookingforwardtoYourpromptrewarding,andwhatYouwilled

tookplaceandwhatYouwillshalltakeplace.Youarethecalledupon,thehopedfor,andthe

askedthatnotakerwhatevergreatheisshalldecreaseYou(rfavors),andnoaskerwhateverhe

insistsandinvokesshallwearyYou.Yourkingdomshallnotcometoanend,andYoureternal

gloryshallremainforever,andnothingintheagesisoutofYourwillabit.YouareAllah,thereis

nogodbutYoutheMerciful,theMighty.OAllah,assistusbyYourassistance,sufficeuswithYour

protection,andgiveuswhatYougivethosewhoholdfastbyYourrope,whoshadethemselves

underYourshade[1]


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HisDuaInTheMorning

OYou,thegreaterthaneverygreat,Whohavenopartnerandnovizier,OYou,theCreatorof

thesunandthelightingmoon,thesheltertotheresortingfearful,theLiberatoroftiedcaptives,

thenourisherofyoungbabies,thesetterofbrokenbones,theMercifultotheold,thelightof

light,the

Manager

of

affairs,

the

Resurrector

of

those

in

graves,

the

Healer

of

chests,

the

Maker

of

shadowandhot,theAwareofallinchests,theRevealeroftheBook,light,thegreatQur'an,and

[1]MuhajadDaawat,p.6263.

theBookofPsalms,OYou,Whomangelsglorifyinthemorningandnight,OYou,thePermanent

andEternal,theBringerforthofplantsintheearlymorningandafternoon,theEnlivenerofthe

dead,theResurrectorofdecayedbones,theHearerofsounds,theEverlasting,theDresserof

bonesthatdecayafterdeath!OYou,Whomnothingdistractsfromanyotherthing,Whodonot

changefromastatetoanother,Whodonotneedtomoveoradvance,Whomnoaffairprevents

fromanyotheraffair,Whocancelforcharityandsupplicationwhathasbeendeterminedand

affirmedintheHeavenofbadjudgment,Whomnoplacecanincludeorencompass,Whoput

remedyinwhatYoulikeofthings,Whokeepalivefromseriousdiseasewiththeleastof

nourishment,Whoremovebytheleastofremedytheworstofdiseases,OYou,Whoifpromise,

carryout,ifthreaten,pardon,OYou,Whopossesstheneedsofrequesters,Whoknowwhatis

thereinsidetheconsciencesofthesilent,OYou,theMostMagnificent,theGenerousin

pardoning,OYou,Whohaveafacethatdoesneverbecomeold,Whohaveinfinitesovereignty,

Whohaveinextinguishablelight,Whosethroneisovereverything,Whoseauthorityisoverthe

landandthesea,WhosewrathisintheHell,WhosemercyisintheParadise,Whosepromisesare

true,Whosefavorsareuncountable,Whosemercyiswide,OYou,theHelperofthecallersfor

help,theRespondertothecallofthecompelled,OYou,WhoareinthehighviewandYour

creationisinthelowview,OYou,theLordofthemortalsouls,theLordofthewornbodies,the

mostperceptiveofseers,themosthearingofhearers,thepromptestofaccounters,thewisestof

judges,theMostMercifulofthemerciful,theGiverofgifts,theReleaserofcaptives,theLordof

glory,theOneofpietyandforgiveness,OYou,Whoselimitcannotbeperceived,Whosenumber

cannotbecounted,Whoseaiddoesnotcease,Ibearwitness,andthewitnesstomeishonorand

supply,andfrommeobedienceandsubmission,andbywhichIhopedeliveranceonthedayof

sighandregret,

thatYouareAllah;thereisnogodbutYoualonewithnopartner,andthatMuhammadisYour

slaveandmessenger,Yourblessingbeonhimandonhisprogeny,andthathehasinformedand

carriedoutonbehalfofYouwhatwashisdutytoYou,andthatYoualwayscreate,providewith

livelihood,give,deny,exalt,humble,enrich,impoverish,disappoint,help,pardon,showmercy,

forgive,overlookwhatYouknow,donotwrong,straiten,enlarge,omit,fix,initiate,reproduce,

enlivenandmakedie;havemercyonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandguideme


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fromYou,givemefromYourfavor,spreadonmefromYourmercy,andsenddowntomefrom

Yourblessings,forYouoftenhaveaccustomedmetogoodandfavor,givenmetoomuch,and

uncoveredmyuglydeeds.

OAllah,haveblessingsonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadandhastenmy

deliverance,forgive

my

slips,

pity

my

loneliness,

take

me

to

the

best

of

Your

worships,

gift

me

withhealthinessfrommyillness,plentyofmysupplies,inclusivesoundnessinmybody,insightin

myreligion,andhelpmetoaskyouforforgivenessbeforedeathcomesandhopingstops,and

helpmebeardeathanditsdistress,graveanditsloneliness,thescalesandtheirlightness,the

sirat[1]anditsslip,theDayofResurrectionanditsterror.IaskYoufortheacceptanceofdeeds

beforedeath,andaskYouforstrengthinmyhearingandsightforthedoingofthebestofthat

Youhavetaughtandmademeunderstand.YouaretheloftyLord,andIamthehumbleslave,and

howgreatdifferencethereisbetweenus!OYou,Compassionate,Benefactor,ofGloryandHonor,

haveblessingsonMuhammadandtheprogenyofMuhammadthegood,thepure![2]

[1]SiratmeanswayorpathbutintheIslamicterminology,itmeansthebridgethat

dominatestheHell.

[2]MuhajadDaawat,p.277278.

HisIdeals

Hewasidealinfaith,morals,andpsychology.Heinheritedalltheperfectionsofhisfatherswho

hadbeencreatedforvirtueandhonor.Wereferheretosomeofhisperfections:

HisKnowledge

HistoriansunanimouslymentionedthatImamAbuMuhammadalAskari(a.s.)wasthemost

knowledgeableandthebestofthepeopleofhisage,notonlyinthereligiousaffairsandlawsbut

inallfieldsofknowledge.BakhtshoutheChristianphysiciansaidtohisdiscipleBatriqaboutthe

imam,andheisthemostknowledgeableofallthoseundertheskyinourday.[1]

IftheAbbasidtyrantshadgivenwaytotheimamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)andnotsubjectedthem

tostrictchaseandconfinement,theywouldhavefilledtheworldwiththeirknowledgeand

sciences,andhumanitywouldhavegotkindsofknowledgeandintellectualdevelopmentthatit

hadnevergotthroughoutallagesandtimes.

TheAbbasidsperceivedthatiftheydidnotpreventthepeopleofknowledgeandintellectfrom

associatingwiththeinfallibleimams,they(theimams)wouldspreadpowersofknowledgeand

cultureandopennewhorizonsnotonlyinthefieldsofsciencesbutalsointhepoliticalandsocial

fieldswhichwouldshowtopeopletheignoranceoftheAbbasidsandtheirbeingawayfromthe


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Islamicvalues.Ofcourse,thiswouldshaketheirthrones,andthereforetheytriedtheirbestto

separatebetweenthenationanditsrealleaders.


HisPatience

ImamalAskari(a.s.)wasfromthemostpatientpeople.Healwayssuppressedhisangerand

treatedwhoeverdidhimwrongwithkindnessandforgiveness.

TheAbbasidgovernmentarrestedandputhimintoprisonwhilehewaspatientsayingnothing.He

didnotcomplaintoanyoneaboutwhathesuffered,butheentrustedhiscasetoAllahthe

Almighty.Thiswasfromthesignsofhispatience.

HisStrongWill

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)wasdistinguishedbyhisstrongwill.TheAbbasidrulerstriedto

involvehimintothegovernmentbodyandsparednoefforttosubjecthimtotheirdesires,but

theyfailed.Theimam(a.s.)insistedonhisindependencyandkeepingawayfromthem.The

Abbasidsconsideredhimastheonlyrepresentativeoftheoppositionagainsttheirpoliciesthat

werebasedonsubjugationandoppression.

HeresistedalltheseductionsthattheAbbasidgovernmentofferedtobringhimintoitsway.He

preferredtheobedienceofAllahandthesatisfactionofhisconsciencetoeverythingelse.

HisGenerosity

Noonewasmoregenerousthanhimamongallpeopleofhistime.Heappointedagentsinmost

oftheMuslimcountries,andentrustedthemtoreceivethelegalduesandspendthemonthe

poorandthedeprived,toreconcilebetweenpeople,andinotherwaysofthegeneralwelfare.

FromthatwhichhistoriansmentionedabouthisgenerositywasthatMuhammadbinAlibin

IbrahimbinImamMusabinJafaralKadhimsaid,Wewereinutmostneed.Myfather

said,Letusgotothisman(ImamAbuMuhammad).Itissaidheisgenerous.

Isaid,Doyouknowhim?

Hesaid,No,andIhaveneverseenhimatall.


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Wewenttohim.Onourway,myfathersaid,Howmuchweneedthathemayordertogiveus

fivehundreddirhams;twohundredforclothes,twohundredforflour,andonehundredfor

spending!

Isaidwithmyself,Wouldthatheordertogivemethreehundreddirhams;onehundredtobuya

donkey,one

hundred

for

spending,

and

one

hundred

for

clothes

so

that

Ican

go

to

the

mountain!

Whenwestoppedathis(ImamAbuMuhammads)door,hisservantcameoutandsaid,LetAli

binIbrahimandhissonMuhammadcomein!

Whenwecameinandgreetedhim,hesaidtomyfather,OAli,whatmadeyounotvisitusallthis

time?

Myfathersaid,Ifeltshytomeetyouinthiscase.

They(Aliandhisson)stayedwiththeimamforsometimeandthencameout.Theservantofthe

imamcame,gaveAlibinIbrahimapouchofmoneyandsaid,Thesearefivehundreddirhams;

twohundredforclothes,twohundredforflour,andonehundredforspending.Hegave

Muhammadapouchofthreehundreddirhamsandsaidtohim,Makeonehundredforbuyinga

donkey,onehundredforclothes,andonehundredforspending,anddonotgotothemountain

butgotoSawra!MuhammadwenttoSawraandbecameoneofthewealthyAlawids.[1]

[1]KashfalGhummah,vol.3p.200.

AbuHashimalJafarisaid,Once,IcomplainedtoAbuMuhammadthedistressofimprisonment

andthepainsofties.Hewrotetome,YoushalloffertheDhuhr(noon)Prayerinyourhouse

today.Iwassetfree(fromprison)atnoonandIofferedtheprayerinmyhouseastheimamsaid.

IwasinneedandIwantedtoaskhimforhelp(butIdidnot)intheletterIhadsenttohim.WhenI

arrivedinmyhouse,hesentonehundreddinarstomeandwrotetome,Ifyouneedsomething,

donotfeelshyorrefrainfromasking.Askandyoushallgetwhatyoulikeinshallah.[1]

Historiansmentionmanystoriesonhisgenerosityshowinghisloveandkindnesstothepoorand

thedeprived.

HighMorals

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)wasnonesuchinhisveryhighmorals.Hemetfriendsandenemies

withhisnoblecharacter.HeinheritedthisnaturefromhisgreatgrandfathertheProphet(a.s)

whosehighmoralsincludedallpeople.


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Hishighmoralsaffectedhisenemiesandopponents,andtheyturnedtobehisloyallovers.

HistorianssaythathewasimprisonedduringthereignofalMutawakkilwhowasthebitterest

enemytotheAhlulBayt(a.s)andtheprogenyofImamAli(a.s.).Thecaliphorderedtheimamto

bepunishedtooseverely,butwhenhecommunicatedwiththeimamandsawhishighmorality

andpiety,heturnedupsidedown.Afterthat,hedidnotraisehiseyesbeforetheimamasakind

ofrespect

and

glorifying.

When

the

imam

left

him,

he

praised

the

imam

with

the

best

words.[2]

[1]KashfalGhummah,vol.3,202.


Impressionsabouthim

Thescholarsandmenofintellect,whowerecontemporarywithImamalHasanalAskari(a.s.),

glorifiedhim,andacknowledgedhisvirtueandpreferencetoallothersforhistalents,geniuses,

vastknowledge,andpiety.Herewequotesomewordssaidbysomeofthosemenabouthim:

1.ImamAlHadi

ImamalHadi(a.s.)praisedthehighpositionofhissonAbuMuhammad(a.s.)bysaying,Myson

AbuMuhammadisthebestoftheprogenyofMuhammadinnature,andthemosttrustworthyin

authority.

He

is

the

eldest

of

my

children,

and

he

is

my

successor

and

to

him

imamate

and

our

verdictsget[1]

2.AbuHashimalJafari

AbuHashimassociatedcloselywithImamalHadi(a.s.)andImamalHasanalAskari(a.s.).He

lovedthemtoomuchandcomposedmanypoemsonpraisingthem.Hesaidinoneofhispoems:

He(Allah)gavehimallsignsofimamate,

likeMoses,

and

the

cleaving

of

the

sea,

the

hand,

and

the

staff.[2]

[1]AyanashShia.

[2]AlamalWara,p.372.

3.Bakhtshuthephysician


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HewasthemostfamousphysicianattheageofImamalAskari(a.s.)andhewasthespecial

physicianoftheroyalfamily.Oneday,theimamneededaphysiciantophlebotomizehim,andso

heaskedBakhtshutosendhimoneofhisdisciples.BakhtshusentforhisdiscipleBatriqand

orderedhimtogototreattheimam.Hesaidtohim,ThesonofarRedhaaskedmetosendhim

someoneto

phlebotomize

him.

You

go

to

him.

He

is

more

knowledgeable

than

every

one

under

thesky.Bewarenottoobjecttohiminallwhatheordersyouof[1]

4.AhmadbinUbaydillahBinKhaqan

HewasoneofthefamousstatesmenandpoliticiansatthetimeofImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.).

Hesaidabouttheimam,

IhaveneitherseennorknowninSurraManRaaamanfromtheAlawidslikealHasanbinAlibin

MuhammadbinarRedha,norhaveIheardoflikehisguidance,faith,chastity,nobility,and

generositynearhisfamilyandneartherulersamongalltheHashimiteswhopreferredhimto

theirimportantandoldmen,andalsoneartheleaders,viziers,clerks,andallclassesof

people[2]

5.UbaydbinKhaqan

Hewasoneoftheimportantpoliticiansatthattime.HesaidaboutImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.),

IfthecaliphateisremovedfromtheAbbasids,noonefromtheHashimiteswilldeserveitexcept

thisman(hemeantalHasanbinAlialAskari).Hedeservesitbyhisvirtue,chastity,


[2]Ibid.,p.325.

guidance,gravity,asceticism,worshiping,goodmorals,andrighteousness[1]

Ubayddidnotbelieveinimamate.Infact,hewascontrarytothat,butthebrightrealityofImam

AbuMuhammad(a.s.)madehimdeclarethattheimamwastheworthiestofthecaliphateforthe

highqualitieshehad.

6.SheikhalMufid

SheikhalMufidsaid,TheimamafterAbulHasanAlibinMuhammad(alHadi)washissonAbu

MuhammadalHasanbinAliforhehadallhighqualitiesandvirtuesandhewaspreferredtoall

peopleofhisage.Hedeservedimamateandleadershipforhisincomparableknowledge,


22/128


asceticism,perfectmind,infallibility,courage,generosity,andthemanygooddeedsthattookhim

closetoAllah[2]

7.IbnasSabbagh

Alibin

Muhammad

al

Maliki

known

as

ibn

as

Sabbagh

said,

The

qualities

of

our

sire

Abu

MuhammadalHasanalAskarishowthatheisamasterandasonofamasterthatnooneever

doubtsorsuspecthisimamate.Knowthatifagoodqualitywassold,thesellerwasotherthanhim

andhewasthebuyerHewastheuniqueofhistimewithnoequal,andhewassolewithnolike.

Hewasthemasterofthepeopleofhistimeandtheimamofthepeopleofhisage.Hissayings

weretrueandhisdeedswerepraiseworthy.Ifthegoodpeopleofhistimewereasapoem,he

wouldbethemainverseofthatpoem,andiftheywereorganizedasanecklace,hewasthe

unique,middlepearl.Hewastheknightofknowledgethatwasnotpossibletokeeppacewith

him,andhewastheexplainerofmysteriesthatitwasnotpossibletoarguewithhim.Hewasthe

uncovereroffactsbyhistruethinking,and

[1]BiharalAnwar,vol.50,p.327.

[2]AlIrshad.

thediscloserofminutesbyhissharpreason.Hewastheinformedinsecrecyoftheunseen.He

wasthehighborn,ofhighsoulandhighessence[1]

8.BinShaharshubasSarawi

AbuJafarRasheedudeenMuhammadbinAlibinShahrashubasSarawisaidabouttheimam,He

wasalHasanbinAlitheguide,thesubjugatorofdifficultiesHewaspure,freefromanyfault,

trusteewiththeunseen.Hewastheessenceofgravitywithnoblemish,humblewithliberalhand,

modest,truetohiswordoflittlefood,ofmuchsmiling,patient,thefatherofthe(awaited)

successor[2]

9.IbnShadqam

IbnShadqam,thegenealogist,said,AlHasanalAskariwasaguidingimam,exaltedmaster,anda

pureguardian.[3]

10.IbnalJawzi

IbnalJawzisaid,ThehighestfeatureandcharacteristicthatAllahhaddistinguishedhim(Imam

alAskari)with,andmadeuniquetohim,andaseternalaspectthattimewouldnotwearoutand

tongueswouldnotforgetrecitingandrepeatingwasthatMuhammadalMahdi(peacebeonhim)


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washisoffspringthatwascreatedfromhim,andhissonthatwasascribedtohim[4]

11.RuknuddeenalHusayni

RuknuddeenalHusaynialMusilisaid,ImamAbuMuhammadalAskarihisvirtues,qualities,and

charismatawere

uncountablethe

highest

quality

that

Allah

had

[1]AlFusoolalMuhimmah,p.272.

[2]ManaqibAalAbiTalib,vol.4p.421.

[3]ZahratalMaqul,p.63.

[4]TathkiratalKhawas.

distinguishedhimwithwasthatalMahdi(peacebeuponhim)washisson[1]

12.AlYafiiy

AlYafiiysaid,SharifalAskariAbuMuhammadalHasanbinAlibinMuhammadbinAlibinMusa

binJafarasSadiqwasoneofthetwelveimamsastheShiabelievedandhewasthefatherofthe

awaitedimam(peacebeonhim)[2]

13.YousufanNabahani

YousufbinIsmaeelanNabahanisaid,AlHasanalAskariwasoneoftheimamsofourmasters

thegreatAhlulBayt(a.s)andoneoftheirnoblechiefs(mayAllahbepleasedwiththem).Ash

ShabrawimentionedhiminhisbookalIttihafBihubilAshrafbutheabbreviatedhisbiography

andmentionednocharismatohim.However,Imyselfsawacharismatohim.Intheyear1296AH

ItraveledtoBaghdadfromKooySanjaq,oneoftheKurdvillages,whereIwasajudgetherebutI

leftitbeforeIcompletedthespecifiedperiodbecauseofthehighcostsandrainlessnesswhich

prevailedinIraqinthatyear.Itraveledbyakalakwhichwasameansofwatertransportation.

WhenthekalakreachedSamarra,whichwasthecapitaloftheAbbasidcaliphs,welikedtovisit

(theshrineof)ImamalHasanalAskari.WhenIcametohisholytomb,somethingspiritual

happenedtomethatnothinglikeithadeverhappenedtomeitwasacharismatohim.ThenI

recited,aspossibleasIcould,versesfromtheQur'an,supplicatedAllahwithsomeduas,and

left.[3]

[1]BahralAnsab,p.17.

[2]MiratalJanan,vol.2p.172.

[3]JamiKaramatalAwliya,vol.1p.389.

14.AlArbali


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AllamaAlibinEesaalArbalisaidabouttheimam,Hewastheknightofknowledgethatwasnot

possibletokeeppacewithhim,andhewastheexplainerofmysteriesthatitwasnotpossibleto

arguewithhim.Hewastheuncovereroffactsbyhistrueviewing,thediscloserofminutesbyhis

piercinginsight,theknowerbythewillofAllahofthesecretsofcreatures,theinformerbythe

willof

Allah

about

the

unseen,

the

told

by

Allah

about

what

had

happened

and

what

would

happen,theinspiredwiththeunseenmatters,thenobleinoriginandsoulandessence,theman

ofproofs,signs,andmiraclestheinterpreterofverses,theconfirmeroftraditions,theheirofthe

goodmasters,thesonoftheimams,andthefatheroftheawaitedone.Solookatthebranchand

theoriginandthinkagainandbesurethattheyweremorebrilliantthanthesun,andbrighter

thanthemoon.Ifbranchesaregood,surelythefruitwillbegood.Their(theimams)featuresand

traditionsaretheeyesofhistory,andtheheadlinesofconducts.

ByAllah,IswearthatwhoeverdeemsMuhammadasgrandfather,Aliasfather,Fatimaasmother,

theimamsasfathers,andalMahdiassonisworthierofreachingtheheavenwithhishighness

andhonorHowcanIcounthisvirtuesandnewswhereasmytongueisshortandmyeloquenceis

tired?Somytongueandeloquencecomebacktiredfromhishighrank,anddwindlebecauseof

failureandinability[1]


15.AlBustani

AlBustanisaid,AlHasanalKhalisbinAlialHaditheymentionedabouthimmanycharacteristics

thatwerewellknowninthepeopleofthishouseoftheTalibites[1]perceivingandwisdom

appearedinhimsincehisearlychildhood[2]

16.KhayruddeenazZarkali

Hesaid,AlHasanbinAlialHadibinMuhammadalJawadalHashimi:AbuMuhammadthe

eleventhimamtotheTwelverShiahewaspaidhomageastheimamafterthedeathofhis

father.Hewaslikehisgoodancestorsinpiety,asceticism,worshipping[3]

17.AlAbbasbinNooruddeen

AlAbbasbinNooruddeenalMekkisaid,ImamAbuMuhammadalHasanalAskarihislineageis

morefamousthanthemooninthefourteenthnight.HeandhisfatherareknownasalAskari.As

forhisvirtues,tonguescannotcount[4]

[1]DerivedfromAbuTalibthefatherofImamAli.


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[3]AlAlam,vol.2p.215.

[4]NuzhatalJalees,vol.2p.184.

Impressionsabouthim

Thescholarsandmenofintellect,whowerecontemporarywithImamalHasanalAskari(a.s.),

glorifiedhim,andacknowledgedhisvirtueandpreferencetoallothersforhistalents,geniuses,

vastknowledge,andpiety.Herewequotesomewordssaidbysomeofthosemenabouthim:

1.ImamAlHadi

ImamalHadi(a.s.)praisedthehighpositionofhissonAbuMuhammad(a.s.)bysaying,Myson

AbuMuhammadisthebestoftheprogenyofMuhammadinnature,andthemosttrustworthyin

authority.Heistheeldestofmychildren,andheismysuccessorandtohimimamateandour

verdictsget[1]

2.AbuHashimalJafari

AbuHashimassociatedcloselywithImamalHadi(a.s.)andImamalHasanalAskari(a.s.).He

loved

them

too

much

and

composed

many

poems

on

praising

them.

He

said

in

one

of

his

poems:

He(Allah)gavehimallsignsofimamate,

likeMoses,andthecleavingofthesea,thehand,andthestaff.[2]

[1]AyanashShia.

[2]AlamalWara,p.372.

3.Bakhtshuthephysician

HewasthemostfamousphysicianattheageofImamalAskari(a.s.)andhewasthespecial

physicianoftheroyalfamily.Oneday,theimamneededaphysiciantophlebotomizehim,andso

heaskedBakhtshutosendhimoneofhisdisciples.BakhtshusentforhisdiscipleBatriqand

orderedhimtogototreattheimam.Hesaidtohim,ThesonofarRedhaaskedmetosendhim

someonetophlebotomizehim.Yougotohim.Heismoreknowledgeablethaneveryoneunder


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thesky.Bewarenottoobjecttohiminallwhatheordersyouof[1]

4.AhmadbinUbaydillahBinKhaqan

HewasoneofthefamousstatesmenandpoliticiansatthetimeofImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.).

Hesaid

about

the

imam,

IhaveneitherseennorknowninSurraManRaaamanfromtheAlawidslikealHasanbinAlibin

MuhammadbinarRedha,norhaveIheardoflikehisguidance,faith,chastity,nobility,and

generositynearhisfamilyandneartherulersamongalltheHashimiteswhopreferredhimto

theirimportantandoldmen,andalsoneartheleaders,viziers,clerks,andallclassesof

people[2]

5.UbaydbinKhaqan

Hewasoneoftheimportantpoliticiansatthattime.HesaidaboutImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.),

IfthecaliphateisremovedfromtheAbbasids,noonefromtheHashimiteswilldeserveitexcept

thisman(hemeantalHasanbinAlialAskari).Hedeservesitbyhisvirtue,chastity,


[2]Ibid.,p.325.

guidance,gravity,asceticism,worshiping,goodmorals,andrighteousness[1]

Ubayddidnotbelieveinimamate.Infact,hewascontrarytothat,butthebrightrealityofImam

AbuMuhammad(a.s.)madehimdeclarethattheimamwastheworthiestofthecaliphateforthe

highqualitieshehad.

6.SheikhalMufid

SheikhalMufidsaid,TheimamafterAbulHasanAlibinMuhammad(alHadi)washissonAbu

MuhammadalHasanbinAliforhehadallhighqualitiesandvirtuesandhewaspreferredtoall

peopleofhisage.Hedeservedimamateandleadershipforhisincomparableknowledge,

asceticism,perfectmind,infallibility,courage,generosity,andthemanygooddeedsthattookhim

closetoAllah[2]

7.IbnasSabbagh

AlibinMuhammadalMalikiknownasibnasSabbaghsaid,ThequalitiesofoursireAbu


27/128


MuhammadalHasanalAskarishowthatheisamasterandasonofamasterthatnooneever

doubtsorsuspecthisimamate.Knowthatifagoodqualitywassold,thesellerwasotherthanhim

andhewasthebuyerHewastheuniqueofhistimewithnoequal,andhewassolewithnolike.

Hewasthemasterofthepeopleofhistimeandtheimamofthepeopleofhisage.Hissayings

weretrueandhisdeedswerepraiseworthy.Ifthegoodpeopleofhistimewereasapoem,he

wouldbe

the

main

verse

of

that

poem,

and

if

they

were

organized

as

anecklace,

he

was

the

unique,middlepearl.Hewastheknightofknowledgethatwasnotpossibletokeeppacewith

him,andhewastheexplainerofmysteriesthatitwasnotpossibletoarguewithhim.Hewasthe

uncovereroffactsbyhistruethinking,and


[2]AlIrshad.

thediscloserofminutesbyhissharpreason.Hewastheinformedinsecrecyoftheunseen.He

wasthehighborn,ofhighsoulandhighessence[1]

8.BinShaharshubasSarawi

AbuJafarRasheedudeenMuhammadbinAlibinShahrashubasSarawisaidabouttheimam,He

wasalHasanbinAlitheguide,thesubjugatorofdifficultiesHewaspure,freefromanyfault,

trusteewiththeunseen.Hewastheessenceofgravitywithnoblemish,humblewithliberalhand,

modest,truetohiswordoflittlefood,ofmuchsmiling,patient,thefatherofthe(awaited)

successor[2]

9.IbnShadqam

IbnShadqam,thegenealogist,said,AlHasanalAskariwasaguidingimam,exaltedmaster,anda

pureguardian.[3]

10.IbnalJawzi

IbnalJawzisaid,ThehighestfeatureandcharacteristicthatAllahhaddistinguishedhim(Imam

alAskari)with,andmadeuniquetohim,andaseternalaspectthattimewouldnotwearoutand

tongueswouldnotforgetrecitingandrepeatingwasthatMuhammadalMahdi(peacebeonhim)

washisoffspringthatwascreatedfromhim,andhissonthatwasascribedtohim[4]

11.RuknuddeenalHusayni

RuknuddeenalHusaynialMusilisaid,ImamAbuMuhammadalAskarihisvirtues,qualities,and

charismatawereuncountablethehighestqualitythatAllahhad


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[1]AlFusoolalMuhimmah,p.272.

[2]ManaqibAalAbiTalib,vol.4p.421.

[3]ZahratalMaqul,p.63.

[4]TathkiratalKhawas.

distinguishedhimwithwasthatalMahdi(peacebeuponhim)washisson[1]

12.AlYafiiy

AlYafiiysaid,SharifalAskariAbuMuhammadalHasanbinAlibinMuhammadbinAlibinMusa

binJafarasSadiqwasoneofthetwelveimamsastheShiabelievedandhewasthefatherofthe

awaitedimam(peacebeonhim)[2]

13.YousufanNabahani

YousufbinIsmaeelanNabahanisaid,AlHasanalAskariwasoneoftheimamsofourmasters

thegreatAhlulBayt(a.s)andoneoftheirnoblechiefs(mayAllahbepleasedwiththem).Ash

ShabrawimentionedhiminhisbookalIttihafBihubilAshrafbutheabbreviatedhisbiography

andmentionednocharismatohim.However,Imyselfsawacharismatohim.Intheyear1296AH

ItraveledtoBaghdadfromKooySanjaq,oneoftheKurdvillages,whereIwasajudgetherebutI

leftitbeforeIcompletedthespecifiedperiodbecauseofthehighcostsandrainlessnesswhich

prevailedinIraqinthatyear.Itraveledbyakalakwhichwasameansofwatertransportation.

WhenthekalakreachedSamarra,whichwasthecapitaloftheAbbasidcaliphs,welikedtovisit

(theshrineof)ImamalHasanalAskari.WhenIcametohisholytomb,somethingspiritual

happenedtomethatnothinglikeithadeverhappenedtomeitwasacharismatohim.ThenI

recited,aspossibleasIcould,versesfromtheQur'an,supplicatedAllahwithsomeduas,and

left.[3]

[1]BahralAnsab,p.17.

[2]MiratalJanan,vol.2p.172.

[3]JamiKaramatalAwliya,vol.1p.389.

14.AlArbali

AllamaAlibinEesaalArbalisaidabouttheimam,Hewastheknightofknowledgethatwasnot

possibletokeeppacewithhim,andhewastheexplainerofmysteriesthatitwasnotpossibleto

arguewithhim.Hewastheuncovereroffactsbyhistrueviewing,thediscloserofminutesbyhis

piercinginsight,theknowerbythewillofAllahofthesecretsofcreatures,theinformerbythe

willofAllahabouttheunseen,thetoldbyAllahaboutwhathadhappenedandwhatwould


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happen,theinspiredwiththeunseenmatters,thenobleinoriginandsoulandessence,theman

ofproofs,signs,andmiraclestheinterpreterofverses,theconfirmeroftraditions,theheirofthe

goodmasters,thesonoftheimams,andthefatheroftheawaitedone.Solookatthebranchand

theoriginandthinkagainandbesurethattheyweremorebrilliantthanthesun,andbrighter

thanthemoon.Ifbranchesaregood,surelythefruitwillbegood.Their(theimams)featuresand

traditionsare

the

eyes

of

history,

and

the

headlines

of

conducts.

ByAllah,IswearthatwhoeverdeemsMuhammadasgrandfather,Aliasfather,Fatimaasmother,

theimamsasfathers,andalMahdiassonisworthierofreachingtheheavenwithhishighness

andhonorHowcanIcounthisvirtuesandnewswhereasmytongueisshortandmyeloquenceis

tired?Somytongueandeloquencecomebacktiredfromhishighrank,anddwindlebecauseof

failureandinability[1]


15.AlBustani

AlBustanisaid,AlHasanalKhalisbinAlialHaditheymentionedabouthimmanycharacteristics

thatwerewellknowninthepeopleofthishouseoftheTalibites[1]perceivingandwisdom

appearedinhimsincehisearlychildhood[2]

16.KhayruddeenazZarkali

Hesaid,AlHasanbinAlialHadibinMuhammadalJawadalHashimi:AbuMuhammadthe

eleventhimamtotheTwelverShiahewaspaidhomageastheimamafterthedeathofhis

father.Hewaslikehisgoodancestorsinpiety,asceticism,worshipping[3]

17.AlAbbasbinNooruddeen

AlAbbasbinNooruddeenalMekkisaid,ImamAbuMuhammadalHasanalAskarihislineageis

morefamousthanthemooninthefourteenthnight.HeandhisfatherareknownasalAskari.As

forhisvirtues,tonguescannotcount[4]

[1]DerivedfromAbuTalibthefatherofImamAli.


[3]AlAlam,vol.2p.215.

[4]NuzhatalJalees,vol.2p.184.


30/128


Hisletters

Someletters

of

the

imam

disclose

an

important

side

of

the

religious

life

which

was

confused

at

thatage.Thefollowingaresomeofhisletterstohisadherents:

1.ToIsaaqanNaysaburi

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)sentalettertoIsaaqbinIsmailanNaysaburisayinginit,

MayAllahprotectusbyHisprotection,andtakecareofyouinallyouraffairsbyHisfavor.I

understoodyourletter,mayAllahhavemercyonyou.We,praisebetoAllahandbyHisblessing,

arepeopleofahousewhopityourfollowersandfeeldelightedforthesuccessionofthefavorsof

Allahon

them,

and

feel

happy

for

every

blessing

that

Allah

the

Almighty

endows

them

with.

O

Isaaq,mayAllahendowyouwithallblessingsandendowswhoeverislikeyouwhomAllahhas

hadmercyonandgiveninsightlikeyoursandmayHedeterminetheParadiseforyou

AndIsay:praisebetoAllahasthebestpraiseHehaseverbeenpraisedwithandforeverforHis

mercyonyou,Hissavingyoufromperishment,andsmoothingyourwayontheobstacle.ByAllah,

itisinsurmountable,impassable,difficultobstaclewithgreatdistressesthathadbeenmentioned

inthefirstBooks.Atthetimeofthedeceased(ImamalHadi),peacebeonhim,andatmytime

youhaddonesomethingsthatneitherIwassatisfiedwithyounorwereyourightinthem.

OIsaaq,

know

well

that

whoever

comes

out

of

this

world

blind

will

be

blind

in

the

afterworld

and

moreastray.OIsaaq,itisnottheeyesthatbecomeblindbuttheheartsthatareinthechests.

Allahsaysabouttheunjust,(Heshallsay:MyLord!whyhastThouraisedmeblindandIwasa

seeingoneindeed?Hewillsay:Evenso,Ourrevelationscametoyoubutyouneglectedthem;and

thusyoushallbeforsakenthisday).[1]IsthereasigngreaterthantheexcuseofAllahonHis

creation,HistrusteeinHisearth,andHiswitnessonHispeopleafterthosewhohadleftfromhis

firstfatherstheprophetsandhislastfatherstheguardians(peaceandblessingsofAllahbeon

themall).Sowheredoyougoastrayandwheredoyougolikebeasts?Youdeviatefromthetruth

andbelieveinfalsehoodanddisbelieveintheblessingsofAllah.Areyoufromthosewhobelieve

inapartoftheBookanddisbelieveintheother?Sowhatistherewardofhimwhodoesthat

fromyou

and

from

other

than

you?

It

is

but

meanness

in

this

life

and

eternal

torment

in

the

afterlife.ByAllah,itisthegreatdisgrace!WhenAllahimposedonyou,byHisfavorandmercy,the

obligations,HedidnotimposethemonyoubecauseHewasinneedofyou,butoutofHismercy

onYouthereisnogodbutHimtodistinguishthegoodfromthebad,andtotrywhattherewasin

yourchests,andtestwhattherewasinyourheartssothatyouwouldcompeteforthemercyof


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AllahandthatyourpositionsinHisparadisewouldbeonebetterthananother.Heimposedon

youhajj,umrah(minorhajj),prayer,zakat,fasting,andthefollowingoftheAhlulBayt(a.s).He

madetoyouadoorbywhichyouopenthedoorsoftheotherobligationsandasakeytoHisway.

ExceptforMuhammad(blessingsofAllahbeonhim),andtheguardiansfromhisprogenyyou

wouldbeconfusedlikebeastknowingnothingoftheobligations.Isatownenteredexceptfrom

itsgate?

When

Allah

favored

you

by

appointing

the

guardians

after

your

prophet,

He

said,

(This

day

[1]Qur'an,20:125126.

haveIperfectedforyouyourreligionandcompletedMyfavoronyouandchosenforyouIslamas

areligion).[1]HeimposedonyourightsforHisguardiansandorderedyoutocarrythemoutso

thatyourwives,properties,foods,anddrinkswouldbelawfultoyou.Allahsaid,(Say:Idonotask

ofyouanyrewardforitbutloveformynearrelatives),[2]andknowwellthat(whoeveris

niggardly,isniggardlyagainsthisownself;andAllahisSelfsufficientandyouaretheneedy).[3]

ThereisnogodbutAllah,andmyspeechbecametoolongonwhatwasforyouandwhatwas

requiredfromyou.

ExceptforthatAllahwantedtocompletehisfavoronyou,youwouldneitherseealinefromme

norwouldyouhearawordaftertheleavingofthedeceased(ImamalHadi),peacebeuponhim,

whileyouareininadvertencetoyourend,andaftermyappointingIbrahimbinAbdahtoyou,and

aftermybookthatMuhammadbinMusaanNaysaburihadbroughttoyou,andAllahisHewhose

helpissoughtinanycase.BewaretobeunmindfultowardsAllahsothatyoushallbefromthe

losers!AwaywithhimhewhoturnshisbacktotheobedienceofAllahanddoesnotacceptthe

adviceofHisguardians!AllahhasorderedyoutoobeyHim,toobeyHismessenger,andtoobey

thoseinauthorityamongyou.MayAllahmercifyyourweaknessandinadvertence,andmakeyou

patientwithyouraffair.WhathasbeguiledmanfromhisLord?!Ifmountainsunderstoodsomeof

thatwhichwasinthisbook,theywouldcrackandsplitbecauseofthefearofAllah,andturnback

totheobedienceofAllah.Dowhateveryoulike(soAllahwillseeyourworkand(sowill)His

Messengerandthebelievers;andyoushallbebroughtbacktotheKnoweroftheunseenandthe

seen,thenHewillinformyouofwhatyoudid).[4]PraisebetoAllah,

[1]Qur'an,5:3.

[2]Qur'an,42:23.

[3]Qur'an,47:38.

[4]Qur'an,9:105.

theLordoftheworlds,andHisblessingsbeonMuhammadandallhisprogeny.[1]

2.HislettertothepeopleofQumandAabeh


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ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)sentaletter,somepartsofwhichwerelost,tohisShiafromthe

peopleofQumandAbeh(Aveh)sayingtothem,AllahtheAlmightywithHisgenerosityand

kindnesshasfavoredHispeoplewithHisprophetMuhammad(a.s.)asabearerofgoodtidings

andawarner,andhasmadeyousucceedinacceptingHisreligion,grantedyouwithHisguidance,

andplanted

into

the

hearts

of

your

past

ancestors

(may

He

have

mercy

on

them)

and

your

living

offspring(mayHesufficeandmakethemlivelong)theloveofthepureprogeny(oftheProphet).

They,whohadleft,leftonthewayofrighteousness,andthepathoftruthandsuccess,andthey

wenttotheplaceofsuccessors,gotthefruitsofwhattheyhadsowed,andfoundtheresultof

whattheyhaddonebefore

Ourintentionisstillfirm,andourselvesaresatisfiedwithyourgoodthoughts.Thefixedrelation

betweenusandyouarefirm.Itisawillthatourancestorsandyourancestorshadrecommended,

andacovenantthathadbeenentrustedtoouryouthandyouroldmen.Theyarestillontheir

faith,andAllahhasgatheredusinthecloserelation,andclosekinship.TheAlim(peaceofAllah

beonhim)said,Afaithfulisabrotherofafaithfulfromhisfatherandmother[2]

[1]TuhafalUqool,p.484486,BiharalAnwar,vol.78p.374377,RijalalKashshi,p.354357,.

[2]BiharalAnwar.

3.HislettertoAlibinalHusayn

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)sentalettertothefamousjurisprudentAbulHasanAlibinalHusayn

binMusabinBabwayhalQummi,thenotableoftheShiaandprominentpersonalityinHadith,

jurisprudence,andtherestoftheIslamicsciences.ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)saidinhis

letter,PraisebetoAllahtheLordoftheworlds,andtheendisfortherighteous,theParadiseis

forthemonotheists,theHellisfortheatheists,andthereshouldbenohostilityexceptagainst

oppressors,andthereisnogodbutAllahthebestofcreators,andblessingbeonthebestofHis

creationMuhammadandhispureprogeny.

Omysheikh,trustee,jurisprudentAbulHasanAlibinalHusaynalQummimayAllahbesatisfied

withyou,andmakefromyourprogenygoodchildren IrecommendyoutofearAllah,offer

prayers,andgivezakatbecausenoprayerisacceptedfromonewhodoesnotgivezakat.Ialso

recommendyoutopardonothers,suppressanger,continuouslyassociatewithkin,comfort

brothersandtrytocarryouttheirneedsatdifficultyandease,bepatient,learnreligion,be

certainofthings,undertaketheQur'an,behavewithgoodmorals,enjointhegood,andtoforbid

thewrong.Allahsays,(Thereisnogoodinmostoftheirsecretcounselsexcept(inhis)who

enjoinscharityorgoodnessorreconciliationbetweenpeople).[1]Irecommendyoutoavoidall

sinsandvices.YouaretokeeponofferingNightPrayer,fortheProphet(a.s)hadrecommended

Alisayingtohim,OAli,youaretokeepontheNightPrayer.Herepeatedthatthreetimes.


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WhoeverdisregardstheNightPrayerisnotfromus.Actaccordingtomyrecommendationand

ordermyShiatoactduetothat.Waitfordeliverance,fortheProphet(a.s)said,Thebestdeedof

mynationisthewaitingfor

[1]Qur'an,4:114.

deliverance.OurShiashallbestillinsorrowuntilmyson,whomtheProphet(a.s)broughtgood

newsabout,shallappear.Hewillfilltheearthwithjusticeandfairnessafterithasbeenfilledwith

injusticeandoppression.Omysheikh,bepatientandorderallmyShiatobepatient;(Surelythe

earthisAllah's.HegivesitasinheritancetowhomHewillandtheendis(best)forthe

righteous).[1]Peace,mercy,andblessingsofAllahbeonyouandonallourShia,andAllahis

sufficientforus;thebestProtectorisHe,thebestPatron,andthebestHelper.[2]

4.Hislettertooneofhisfollowers

OneoftheShiawrotetoImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)tellinghimaboutthedisagreement

betweentheShia.Theimamrepliedtohiminthisletter,

Allahhasaddressedreasonablepeoplepeopleconcerningmeareindifferentclasses;a

discerningoneisonthewayofdeliverance,keepingtothetruth,clingingtothebranchofthe

originwithoutbeingdoubtfulorsuspicious,andfindingnoresortotherthanme.Thereisanother

classofpeoplewhodonottakethetruthfromitsowners;theyarelikeatravelerinthesea.They

wavewhenevertheseawaves,andcalmwhenevertheseacalms.Anotherclassofpeopleare

thosewhohavebeenovercomebySatan.Theyjustresistthepeopleoftruth,andfighttruthby

falsehoodoutofenvy.Soletalonewhoevergoesrightorleft,becausewhenashepherdwantsto

gatherhissheep,hegathersthemwiththeleasteffort.Bewareofshowoffandpantingafter

authoritybecausetheyleadtoperishment[3]

[1]Qur'an,7:128.

[2]RawdhatalJannat,vol.4p.273274.


5.Hislettertoanotheroneofhisfollowers

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)sentalettertooneofhisfollowersexpressinghisgrieffromsome

rabbleoftheShiawhohaddeviatedfromtherightpath.Hesaid,

NooneofmyfathershadbeenafflictedlikewhatIhavebeenafflictedwiththesuspicionsofthis

groupifthismatter(imamate)wasamatterthatyouhadbelievedinandkeptonituntila

certaintimeandthenstopped,thensuspicionwouldhavecertaincase,butifit(imamate)is


34/128


continuousaslongastheaffairsofAllaharecontinuous,thenwhatisthemeaningofthis

suspicion?...[1]

6.HislettertoAbdullahalBayhaqi

ImamAbu

Muhammad

(a.s.)

sent

the

following

letter

to

Abdullah

bin

Hamdwayh

al

Bayhaqi:

IhavesentIbrahimbinAbdahsothatthe(other)districtsandthepeopleofyourdistrictpaymy

duesonyoutohimandImadehimmytrustandagentbeforemyfollowersthere.Letthemfear

Allahandpaytheduesandtheyhavenoexcuseinnotdoingthatordelayingit.MayAllahnot

distressthemfordisobeyingHisguardiansandmayHehavemercyonthemandonyouthrough

mymercifulnesstothem,andAllahisAmplegiving,Generous.[2]

7.HisletteraboutIbrahim

ImamAbuMuhammadalAskari(a.s.)hadappointedIbrahimbinAbdahashisagenttoreceive

thelegalduesandtospendthemonreligionandontheneedy,andgivenhimalettermentioning

inithisreliabilityandhighposition.ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)wasaskedwhetherthisletter

waswrittenbyhimornot,andhereplied,


[2]RijalalKashshi,p.358.

MybookthatcametoIbrahimbinAbdahonappointinghimasmyagenttoreceivemyrights

fromourfollowersthereyes,itwasmybookwrittenbymyhandtohim.Ihaveappointedhimto

themintheircountry.Itistrueandnotfalse.LethimfearAllahasHeshouldbefeared,andlet

themtakeoutmyrightsandgivethemtohim,forIhavepermittedhimtodowiththemas

required.MayAllahgivehimsuccessandsavehimfromfailure.[1]

8.Hislettertohisfollowers

Hesentthislettertosomeofhisfollowers:

MayAllahgiftyouwithasceticisminthislifeandsuccessasHepleases,assistanceforHis

obedience,protectionfromdisobedience,guidancefromdeviation,andmayHegatherforusand

forourfollowersthegoodofthetwoabodes(thislifeandtheafterlife).

Iwasinformedofthedisagreementofyourhearts,andtheseparationofyourdesires,andthe

incitementofSatanuntilhecausedseparationamongyou,disbeliefinreligion,attemptingto

destroywhatyourancestorshadbuiltinthereligionofAllahandprovedtherightsofHis


35/128


guardians.He(Satan)tookyoutothewayofdeviation,andawayfromthepathofthetruth,and

somanyofyourecededasifyouhadnotreadtheBookofAllahandnotunderstoodanyofHis

commandsandprohibitions.Iswearthatifyourfoolsrelyontheirdelusionsandfabricatefalse

traditions,theyshalldeservetorment,andifyouaresatisfiedwiththatfromthemanddonot

denyitbyyourhands,tongues,hearts,andintentions,youshallbeparticipantswiththeminwhat

theyhave

fabricated

against

Allah,

His

messenger,

and

the

guardians

after

him.

If

it

was

not

so,

thepeopleofazZabadwouldnotlieintheirclaim,noralMughirahintheir

[1]RijalalKashshi,p.358.

disagreement,noralKaysaniyyahontheirman,norotherliarsandthedeviantswhohaveturned

awayfromus.Indeed,youareworsethanthemandmostofthemwereobligedtosubmittothe

commandofAllah,exceptsomegroupthatifIwant,IshallmentionitbythenameSatanhas

overcomethemandmadethemforgetthementionofAllah,andwhoeverforgetsthementionof

AllahAllahwillthrowhimintoFire,anditshallbeanevilabode.

Mythisbookisanauthorityonthem,andanauthorityforyourabsentsonyourpresents,except

onewhoisinformedandcarriesouthisduty.IprayAllahtogatheryourheartsonguidance,

protectyoubypiety,andmakeyoudowhatpleasesHim,andpeace,blessing,andmercyofAllah

beonyou.[1]

9.Hislettertooneofhisadherents

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)saidinthislettertooneofhisfollowers:

Everypredestinedthingwouldcometrue.RelyonAllahtheAlmightyandHewillsufficeyou,and

trustinHimandHewillnotdisappointyou!Youhavecomplainedagainstyourbrother.Knowwell

thatAllahdoesnothelpintheraptureofrelations,andAllahisoveranyoppressionofevery

oppressor.WhoeverisoppressedsurelyAllahwillhelphim,andAllahisStrong,Mighty.Youhave

askedmetoprayforyou.MayAllahtheAlmightykeepyousafe,andbeyourhelperand

protector.IprayAllahtheGenerous,WhohasmadeyouknowHisrightandtherightofHis

guardiansthatothersthanyouwereignorantof,nottoremovefromyouanyblessingHehas

endowedyouwith,HeisPatronworthyofallpraise.[2]

[1]AdDurranNadheem,p.224.

[2]AdDurranNadheem.

10.HislettertooneofhisShiaadherents

OneoftheShiawrotealettertotheimamcomplainingagainstanoppressorwhooppressedand


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didhimwrong.ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)repliedtohim:

WesatisfyourselveswithAllahtheAlmightythisdayagainsteveryoppressor,wrongdoer,and

envier.WoeuntowhoeversayssomethingthatAllahknowsitsopposite.Howterribleisthat

whichheshallmeetfromtheMasteroftheDayofJudgment!SurelyAllahtheAlmightyisthe

Helperand

Assistant

to

the

oppressed.

Trust

and

rely

on

Him

and

He

will

relieve

your

distress

and

saveyoufromtheevilofeveryevildoer.MayAllahdothatforyouandfavoruswithyou,Heis

powerfulovereverything.MayAllahovercomeeveryoppressorthismoment!Noone,who

wrongsandoppresses,shallbesuccessful.Woeuntowhoeveristakenbythefingersofthe

oppressed!DonotbedistressedbuttrustinAllahandrelyonHim,andHewillbringyour

deliverancesoon.SurelyAllahiswiththosewhoarepatientandwhodogoodtoothers.[1]

[1]AdDurranNadheem,p.225.

Wordsoflight

Agoodcollectionofmaximsandwonderfulwordsondifferentsocialandeducationalissueswere

transmittedfromImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)andconsideredfromthetreasuresoftheIslamic

literature.Herewepresenttoreaderssomeoftheimamswonderfulsayings:

The

Preference

Of

The

Ahlul

Bayt

(A.S)

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)said,Wehaveascendedthetopsoffactsbythefeetofprophethood

andguardianship,andlitthesevenwayswiththebannersofmagnanimity.Wearelionsof

battles,sourcesofgenerosity.Swordandpenareamongusnow,andthebannerofpraiseand

knowledgelateron.Ourgrandsonsarethesuccessorsofreligion,alliesofcertainty,lampsof

nations,andthekeysofgenerosity.Agenerousonehasputonthegarmentofchoiceforloyalty

thatwehaveknowninhim,andtheHolySpiritintheHeavens,andhetastedfromourgardens

earlyfruits.OurShiaaretherescuedparty,andthepuregroup.Theyhavebeenasdressand

protectionforus,andassistanceagainstoppressorsSpringsoflifewillgushoutforthemafter

flamesof

Fireand

all

bad

years

SheikhalMajlisicommentedonthiswordbysaying,Thisisabsolutewisdom,andanample

blessingthatdeafearscan

hearandhighmountainsshakefor.PeaceandblessingsofAllahbeonthem[1]


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TheimamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)hadaveryhighpositionnearAllahWhohadendowedthem

withvirtuesandknowledgethatnooneofthehumanbeingsotherthanthemhadeverbeen

endowedwith.AllahhadmadethemtheguidestoHiscontentment,andtheleaderstoHis

obedience.Theyallwereandarelampstonationsandkeysofgenerosityinthislife,andinthe

afterlifetheywillbetheintercessorsandbearersofthebannerofHamd(praise),andAllahhas

giventhem

the

Highest

Paradise.

HisRecommendationToHisAdherents

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)preachedandadvisedhisShiabysaying,

IrecommendyoutofearAllah,bepiousinyourreligion,striveforAllah,betruthfulinspeaking,

givedepositbacktoitsownergoodorbadheis,increaseprostration,andtobegoodto

neighbors.Bythese(principles)Muhammad(a.s.)camewithhismission.Associatewithyourkin,

attendtheirfunerals,visittheirsick,andcarryouttheirrights,forifanyoneofyouispiousinhis

religion,truthfulinhisspeech,hegivesdepositbacktoitsowner,andtreatspeoplekindly,itshall

besaidabouthim:thisisaShia,andthisshallpleaseme.

FearAllah,begoodanddonotbebad!Attracteverylovetous,andkeepanyobscenityaway

fromus,becausewhatevergoodissaidaboutuswedeserveit,andwhateverbadissaidaboutus

isnotinus.WehavearightintheBookofAllah,kinshiptothemessengerofAllah,and

purificationfromAllahthatnooneotherthanusclaimsbutaliar.Mention


Allahtoomuchandrememberdeath!RecitetheQur'anandsendpeaceandblessingsonthe

Prophet(a.s),becausethesendingofblessingsontheProphet(a.s)hastengooddeeds.Keepin

mindwhatIhaverecommendedyou!IprayAllahtoprotectyou(Ifarewellyou),andsendpeace

onyou.[1]

AValuableAdvice

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)said,

Avoidbeggingpeopleaslongasyoucantolerate,foreverydayhasanewgoodness.Insistingon

askingothersdeprivesoneofhisgravityexceptwhenadoormaybeopenedtoyouforagood

entrance.Andhownearslappingistoarashone!Jealousymightbeakindofthemannersof

AllahtheAlmighty.Luckshavedegrees,sodonothastentowardsafruitthatitisnotripeyet

becauseitisgotatitstime!He,Whomanagesyouraffairs,ismoreawareofthetimethatisgood

foryou.TrustinHisexperienceinyouraffairsanddonothurryforyourneedsatthebeginningof


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yourtimeandthenyourheartmaybedistressedanddespairmayovercomeyou!Knowthat

coynesshasacertainextentandifitexceeds,itshallturntoweakness,generosityhasacertain

extentandifitexceeds,itshallbewasting,economyhasacertainextentandifitexceeds,itshall

bestinginess,andcouragehasacertainextentandifitexceeds,itshallberecklessness[2]

Preaching

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)oftenandalwaysadvisedhiscompanions,remindedthemofthe

afterlife,andwarnedthemagainsttheseditionanddeceptionoftheworldlylife.Once,hesaid,


[2]NuzhatanNadhir,p.5051.

Youareinshortlives,andfewdays,anddeathcomesunexpectedly.Whoeversowsgoodshall

harvesthappiness,andwhoeversowsevilshallharvestregret.Everysowershallgetwhathehas

sowed.Noslowoneisprecededbyhisluck,andnocarefulonegetswhathasnotbeen

determinedforhim.Whoeverisgivengood,Allahhasgivenhimthat,andwhoeverissavedfrom

anevilAllahhassavedhimfromit.[1]

PonderingOnAllah

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)said,

Worshipisnottheabundantfastingandpraying,butworshipistheabundantpondering;itisthe

continuousthinkingofAllah.[2]

Inhistraditions,theimamestablishedthebasesofthefaithinAllah,andthemostimportantone

ofwhichwasthethinkingofAllah,andponderingonHiswonderfulcreationbecausethatwould

leadmantotheabsolutefaithinAllah,theGreatCreator.

WisdomOfFasting

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)said,Allahhasimposedfastingsothatthewealthymightsuffer

hungerandbekindtothepoor.[3]

DispraisingTheHypocrites

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)said,Whatabadmanheiswhohastwofacesandtwotongues!He

praiseshisbrotherwhenheispresentandeatshisflesh(backbiteshim)whenheis



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[2]Ibid.,p.373.

[3]KashfalGhummah,vol.3p.193,ManLaYahdhuruhualFaqih,vol.2p.43.

absent.Heenvieshimifheisgiven(becomesingoodstate),andbetrayshimifheisafflicted.[1]

PiousAnd

Impious

ImamAbuMuhammad(a.s.)said,Theloveofthepioustothepiousisavirtueforthepious,the

hatredoftheimpioustowardsthepiousisameritforthepious,andthehatredofthepious

towardstheimpiousisdisgracefortheimpious.[2]

WonderfulShortMaxims

ThefollowingaresomeofthewonderfulmaximstransmittedfromImamAbuMuhammadal

Askari(a.s.).Hesaid,

1.Iffateisinevitable,thenwhatforisthesupplication(ofmantootherthanAllah)?

2.Abelieverisablessingforabelieverandanauthorityonanunbeliever.

3.Theheartofafoolisinhismouth,andthemouthofawisemanisinhisheart.

4.Angeristhekeyofeveryevil.

5.Aspitefuloneistheleastcomfortable.

6.Themostpiousofpeopleishewhorefrainsbeforesuspicion.Themostworshippingofpeople

ishewhokeepsonobligations.Themostasceticoneishewhorefrainsfromunlawfulthings.The

bestmujtahidishewhorefrainsfromsins.

7.Letnosecurelivelihoodmakeyoubusyawayfromanobligatorydeed!


[2]AlMajalisasSaniyyah,vol.2p.663.

8.He,whoexceedsinsomething,islikeonewholacksthatthing.

9.Wheneveramightyonegivesupthetruth,hebecomeslow,andwheneveralowonekeepsto

it,hebecomesmighty.

10.Thefriendofanignorantisalwaystired.


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11.Therearetwoqualitiesthatnoqualityisoverthem;thefaithinAllahandtheservingof

brothers.

12.Thedaringofachildinchildhoodbeforefathermakeshimundutifulinadulthood.

13.Itisnotfrompolitenesstoshowjoybeforeadistressedperson.

14.Betterthanlifeisthatwhichifyoulose,youshallhatelife,andworsethandeathisthat

whichifcomestoyou,youshalllovedeath.

15.Taminganignorantandpreventingahabitualfromhishabitsareasamiracle.

16.Humblenessisablessingthatisnotenvied.

17.Donotbegeneroustosomeonewithwhatmaybeheavytohim![1]

18.He,whoadviseshisbrothersecretly,doeshimgood,andhe,whoadviseshimopenly,does

himwrong.

19.Howbadfromafaithfulitiswhenhehasadesirethatdegradeshim.

20Itsufficesyoutobepolitethatyouavoidwhatyouhateinothers.

21.Bewareofeverysilent,intelligentone!

[1]Becausethatsomeonefindsthathehastoanswerwiththesame.

22.Ifallpeopleofthisworldareintelligent,theworldwouldberuined.

23.Theweakestofenemiesincunning,ishewhoshowshisenmity.

24.Thebestofyourbrothersishewhoforgetsyourwrongagainsthim,andremembersyour

kindnesstohim.

25.Goodfigureisapparentbeauty,andgoodmindishiddenbeauty.

26.He,whoisfriendlywithAllah,feelsaversiontowardspeople.

27.He,whodoesnotregardpeople,doesnotregardAllah.


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28.Viceshavebeenputinahousewhosekeyislying.

29.Whenheartsareactive,putintothem,andwhentheydetest,farewellthem!

30.Following

after

one

whom

you

hope

is

better

than

remaining

with

one

whom

you

do

not

feel

safefromhisevil.

31.Ignoranceisanenemyanddiscernmentisauthority,andhe,whompatiencedoesnotmake

sufferagoniesofanger,shallnotfeeltheeaseofheart.

32.Thegiftofagenerousonemakesyoubelovedtohim,andthegiftofameanonemakesyou

lowtohim.

33.Whoeverpietyishishabitandvirtuesarehisgarmentsshallwinonhisenemiesbygood

praise,andshallbefortifiedagainstdefectsbygoodmention.

34.He,whopraisesanundeservingone,becomesasaccused.

35.Nooneknows(therealityof)ablessingexceptthegrateful,andnooneisgratefultoa

blessingexcepttheknowing.

36.Stayingupmakessleepmorepleasant,andhungermakesfoodmoredelicious.

37.GettingtoAllahtheAlmightyisatravelthatisnotachievedexceptbyridingthenight.[1]

38.He,whodoesnotknowhowtoprevent,doesnotknowhowtogive.

39.HesaidtoalMutawakkil,theAbbasidcaliph,Donotexpectgoodwillfromonewhomyou

haveoffended,orloyaltyfromonewhomyouhavebetrayed,orsincerityfromonewhomyou

havesuspected,becausetheheartsofotherstowardsyouarelikeyourhearttowardsthem.

40.Itisfromignorancetolaughwithnoreason.

41.ThespeechofAllahhaspreferencetoallspeechasHispreferencetoHiscreation,andour

speechhaspreferencetothespeechofpeopleasourpreferencetothem.

42.Itisfromhumblenesstogreeteveryoneyoupassby,andtositinotherthanthedistinctive

placeinameeting.


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43.Theworthiestpeopleof(your)lovearethosewhocomfortyou.

44.Fromthedisastersthatbreakonesbackisaneighborwhoifseesagooddeed,heputsitout

andifseesabaddeed,hespreadsit.

45.(In

the

name

of

Allah,

the

Beneficent,

the

Merciful)

is

closer

to

the

greatest

Name

of

Allah

thantheirisoftheeyetoitswhite.

46.Donotdisputewithotherssothatyourgravitygoesaway,anddonotjokesothatitisdared

againstyou.

[1]Spendingthenightwithworshipping.

47.Whoeverissatisfiedtositinotherthanthedistinctiveplaceinameeting,AllahandHis

angelssendblessingsonhimuntilheleavesthemeeting.

48.Polytheisminpeopleishiddenmorethanthecreepingofantsonablackclothinadark

night.

49.Heartshaveideasfromfancy,whilemindsshakeandgetmoreknowledgeoutof

experiments,andtakinglessonsleadstoreasonability.

50.Predominantfatesarenotresistedbystruggle,anddeterminedlivelihoodsarenotgainedby

greedinessandrequestingsubmityourselftofatesandknowthatyoushallnotgetexceptwhat

hasbeendeterminedforyou.

WiththeHolyQuran

TheinfallibleimamsoftheAhlulBayt(a.s)paidtoomuchattentiontotheinterpretation(tafsir)of

theHolyQur'an.Eachoneofthemhadaschooloftafsir,anddefinitelytheywerethemostaware

ofthecontentsoftheQur'anandallitssciences.ThemasterofthepureprogenyImamAli(a.s.)

was,among

all

the

Prophets

companions,

the

most

aware

of

the

facts

and

minute

details

of

the

quran,itsmuhkam(clear)versesandmutashabih(ambiguous)verses,andheknewwhenand

whereeachversewasrevealed.

The Life of Imam Al Hassan Al Askari

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