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By Syed Mohammad Zafar Abbas Naquvi
Imam Hasan al-`Askari (A), the eleventh successor of the Prophet of Islam (s) was born on 10th Rabi' II 232 A.H. His father was Imam Ali al-Hadi an-Naqi (a) and his mother was Sulail or Hudaitha (a) . His period of Imamah lasted only 6 years (254 –260 AH.). His martyrdom occurred on 8th Rabi' al-awwal 260 A.H.
He had only one son who is the Imam of our time, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (a).
Once, there was a severe drought in Samarrah. The people went far and wide to find water. A Christian priest came and prayed for rain and it started raining.
People had doubts and were going to turn to Christianity, but Mu'tamid in fear of his kingdom, called Imam (`a) saying that the religion of his grandfather was in danger.
Imam (`a) comes out and tell the people to take out of the priest‘s what he had in his hand. When this was taken out, his prayers had no effect. The people in turn were surprised.
Imam (`a) explained that he had a bone that was in his hands belonged to a Prophet of Allah.
Then Imam (`a) prayed for rain, and it rained heavily and the people had water again.
The people asked Imam (`a) where he lived. Imam (`a) pointed at the king. Mu'tamid was too embarrassed to say that Imam (`a) was his prisoner, so he pointed at the house that had originally belonged to Imam Ali-un-Naqi (`a), and was forced to release Imam (a) but only for one year.
During this year, Sayyidah Narjis became pregnant. Imam (a) was martyred at the age of only 28 years. Imam Hasan al-Askery's brother J`afar, tried to lead the funeral prayers, but Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (`a) appeared and lead the prayers, telling his uncle to move aside.
May Allah (s.w.t.) give us the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Imam al-`Askari (`a)