AL-HUDA
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
the Message Continues ... 3/81
Newsletter for May 2008
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THE TIMES AND LIFE OF
IMAM HASAN AL-ASKARI(a)
Imam
Hasan (Al-Askari) was born in Madinah in 232 AH, during
the reign of the Abbasid caliph Wathiq. When Mutwakil
had his father moved from Madinah to Samarah in 236 AH,
he was only four years of age. He suffered deprivation
of the patronage of his father, Imam Ali Naqi, owing to
the long spells of house arrests and formal prisons. He
was only twenty-two years of age at the martyrdom of his
father in 254 AH. He took up the responsibilities of
Imamate according to the declaration that his father had
made in Madinah eighteen years earlier.
During the life of his father, he endured the reign of
terror under Mutwakil followed by the chain of several
caliphs until the martyrdom of his father. There was
much oppression and persecution of the Alkyds during
those years, and the Imam had to remain in hiding. He
used to communicate with his followers only through his
most reliable representatives. During the next five and
a half years, he saw the caliphate change hands twice.
Muhtadi succeeded the Caliph Mutazz in 255 AH, followed
by the Caliph Mu'tarnid in 256 AH.
Just
as Umar bin Abd al-Aziz was the only benevolent caliph
from the Umayyad dynasty, Muhtadi was perhaps the ordy
caliph in the chain of the Abbasids who could also be
called benevolent. However, the rule of Muhtadi last
for less than one year, and the hnam saw a brief period
of reprieve during his reign. Not withstanding the
urgency to have an heir, the Imam married Nargis Khatoon.
There was a general air of uneasiness about this. A
rumor was circulating that the awaited Mahdi would be
bom from this union. The Imam was twenty four years of
age at that time.
The
rule of tyranny returned with the Caliph Mu'tamid. He
was a stonehearted ruler who took pleasure in having
people beheaded for trivial faults. He had the Imam
placed in a formal prison under strict isolation. He
had instructed the wardens to inflict torture to the
Imam. However, when they went to carry out the Caliph's
orders, they found the Imam either in prayers or reading
the Quran. He rotated several prison wardens with the
intention to inflict harm to the Imam, but faded in his
HI-destined schemes. Most of these wardens became
followers and devotees of the Imam.
Despite the difficulties imposed upon the Imam, he
continued to receive deputations from his devotees from
far and wide, and he continued to serve the followers
with the true values of Islam through the meanings and
interpretations of the Qur'an and his personal conduct
of life. Many senior and older followers of the Imam
attended his sittings and clarified many questions about
the Quran and the Hadith. Seeing that there would be a
continued need for correct interpretation of the Qur'an,
he took up the project of writing, a comprehensive
commentary of the Qur'an before he passed away.
The
Caliph finally prevailed and had the Imam martyred with
poison in the year 260 AH. He sent a team of his
trusted physicians to ensure the condition of the Imam
and to certify his death before his burial. Having thus
completed the assignment as ordered by the Caliph, the
body of the Imam was laid to rest in the same house
where he had died. He was buried in the same room where
his father had died and was buried.
Contrary to the previously established tradition, the
Imam did not announce the name or the identity of his
successor, although there was some evidence that he had
left a four-year-old heir to the Imamate. As expected,
there was considerable doubt and confusion among the
followers regarding the continuation of the series of
Imamate after the death of the Eleventh Imam. The
Aliyyids were in revolt in the empire at the time, and
some were claiming to be the Awaited One, the
Twelfth Imam contacted his followers through his
safirs for their guidance.
REFLECTIONS FROM THE LIFE OF IMAM
HASAN AL-ASKARI
The
Imam obtained his title of al-Askari because of his
residence in the garrison precinct of the Samarah. He
was able to communicate with people in their
mother-tongues as he was fluent in several languages
that were spoken in the empire at the time.
The
Imam participated in many debates and contests held by
the Caliph in an attempt to slight his dignity. But
instead, the Imam shone like full moon in the dark night
of ignorance.
Despite the short span of his life that was available to
his followers, he left many, respected students who
continued to write and carry out researches in the path
of the Truth.
Selected Quotes:
1.He
told his followers: -Be obedient to Allah, keep adherence to the practice of your Faith, never tell lies, keep the trust of some one who has placed it with you, keep good relations with your neighbors, prolong your sajdah in prayers.
-Life is but a short span and the end comes suddenly.
One who plants the seedling of good, would reap an
enormous harvest of reward. One who plants a seedling
of mischief, would reap the fruit of bitterness, shame
and regret.
-Being Thankful to Allah brings rewards of His great
benevolence.
2. He told one of his companions:
-Trust in Allah and keep steadfast in your prayers.
-Never refrain from paying the poor dues, lest your
prayers go waste.
-Repent for your sins.
-Do
not give in to anger.
-Be
charitable towards your brethren, in plenty and in
deprivation.
Show
forbearance to peoples' ignorance.
-Ponder on ordinances of Faith.
-Forever remain within the circle of the Qur'an. -Guide
others to the Truth when you have found it.
Selected Sayings:
1.
Do not indulge in unnecessary discussion with people
lest you lose your respect. Do not indulge in too much
humor with people lest they pick up courage to slight
you.
2.
It is among good manners to wish well to someone who
passes you by. When in a communal gathering, do not
look for a high place for yourself
3.
It is ill manners to express happiness to someone who is
grieved by some event.
4.
That person Is most cautious who pauses at place of
suspicion. That person is most reliable who fulfills
his commitments. That person is most pious who
exercises avoidance of all forbidden things. That
person is performing the hardest Jehad who is
committed to avoid sin.
5.
The provisions that are a promise from the Lord, are
rewards earned by fulfilling the duties of obedience.
6.
One who renders advice to a fellow momin on his
fault away from the public eye, has decorated him; but
one who does so in the open, has in fact stripped him.
7.
Every thing has a limit, you would harm yourself if you
exceed it.
8.
One who has built relation with the Allah, loves
solitude.
9.
Do not choose a method of respect to someone by which
his feelings would be hurt.
TAFSEER-EASKARI
The
Commentary on Holy Qur'an By Imam Hasan Askari
As
the grip of the rulers tightened and degree of
suppression of the Imams increased, it became harder and
harder for the followers to gain access to him to obtain
direct guidance. Since most of the questions asked used
to be on the interpretation and expounding the meanings
of the Book of Allah, the Imam found it necessary to
have this material committed to his pen. This was
collected in the form of a book known as the "
Tafseer-e Askari. " |
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