<\/p>\n
Shia Islam: Imam \u1e24asan \u2018al-\u02bfAskar\u012b \/ 31<\/p>\n
Imam \u1e24asan \u2018al-\u02bfAskar\u012b
\nImam \u1e24asan al-\u02bfAskar\u012b, the son of Imam al-H\u0101d\u012b, was the eleventh Sh\u012b\u02bfa Imam. He was born in Medina in 846 AD and died in Samarra in 874 AD. He was buried in his home. He was 22 when his father died and he became the Imam. The Abbasid caliphs of his time were Mu\u02bftazz, Muhtadi and Mu\u2018tamid.<\/p>\n
The Abbasids followed the same policy with him as they had vis-\u00e0-vis his predecessors; Ma\u02bem\u016bn had placed the eighth the Imam under surveillance, Mu\u02bfta\u1e63im controlled access to Imam al-Jaw\u0101d and Mutawakkil had put Imam al-H\u0101d\u012b under house arrest. Mutawakkil\u2019s successors did the same to Imam al-H\u0101d\u012b and his son Imam \u1e24asan al-\u02bfAskar\u012b. The caliphs wanted to know what the Imams were doing. Imam al-\u02bfAskar\u012b was under surveillance in Samarra and he was made to attend the Caliph\u2019s audiences on Mondays and Thursdays.<\/p>\n
The caliphs who came after Ma\u02bem\u016bn poisoned three Sh\u012b\u02bfa Imams. (Imam al-Jaw\u0101d was 25, Imam al-H\u0101d\u012b was 41 and Imam al-\u02bfAskari was 28 when they were murdered)<\/p>\n
The Abbasid caliphs imposed more restrictions on Imam \u1e24asan al-\u02bfAskar\u012b because:<\/p>\n
Under the guidance of Imam \u1e24asan al-\u02bfAskar\u012b, the Sh\u012b\u02bfa formed a powerful bloc in Iraq and everyone knew that this group did not recognize the legality or legitimacy of any Abbasid Caliph. The Sh\u012b\u02bfa believed that the children of Imam \u02bfAl\u012b deserved to be the Imam and Imam \u1e24asan al-\u02bfAskar\u012b was the rightful leader of the Muslims.
\nAccording to many traditions, the Abbasid dynasty and their followers were certain that the Awaited Mahd\u012b, who was prophesised to overthrow all tyrants and establish a government of justice, was the son of Imam al-\u02bfAskar\u012b. That is why they placed him under tight control.
\nWhen Mu\u2018tamid heard about the Imam\u2019s illness, he sent \u02bfUbayd All\u0101h Kh\u0101q\u0101n and five others to look after him. Even after the Imam\u2019s martyrdom, his house was searched and his properties were sealed. The Imam\u2019s children were also questioned; midwives were ordered to examine the women of his household and report any pregnancy. (Kam\u0101l al-D\u012bn)<\/p>\n
In spite of these tough restrictions, the Imam pushed ahead with his political, social and intellectual activities; the Imam\u2019s struggles could be summarized in the following four points:<\/p>\n
Intellectual debates with those who did not believe in his Imamate
\nIntellectual endeavours about Islamic teachings and dispelling doubts
\nGiving guidance to his companions to keep them from falling into Abbasid traps
\nPreparing the ground for people\u2019s belief in the occultation of his son, Imam al-Mahd\u012b.<\/p>\n
Shia Islam: Imam al-H\u0101d\u012b \/30<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n