The eleventh Imam: Imam Hasan al-Askari (as) was the eleventh Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as). He was born in the year 232 AH (846 CE), most likely in Medina, and came to Samarra as a young child with his father, Imam Ali al-Hadi (as).
His parents: His father was Imam al-Hadi (as), the tenth Imam. His mother was a noble lady known as Hudayth (also remembered by the name Salil in some accounts — to be checked). He grew up in the same house in Samarra where his father lived under the watch of the Abbasid rulers.
Al-Askari, of the camp: The title "al-Askari" means "of the military camp". It comes from Samarra, where the Abbasid army was stationed. The Imam (as) was called al-Askari because he lived in that garrison city. It is a name of place, not of war — he never raised an army.
Example
Known by his town: Sometimes a person is known by the town where he lives. Imam al-Askari (as) is known by Samarra, the army city — yet his life was a life of prayer, knowledge, and patience, not of fighting.
Key Terms
- Imam al-Askari (as) (الامام حسن العسکری) — the eleventh Imam
- Al-Askari (العسکری) — "of the military camp", from living in Samarra
- Ahlul Bayt (as) (اہل بیت) — the family of the Prophet Muhammad (saww)
Quran or Hadith
Quran, Surah al-Ahzab (33:33) — the Verse of Purification (Ayat al-Tathir) — about the purity of the Ahlul Bayt (as). — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Family tree — Imam al-Hadi (as) to Imam al-Askari (as), with birth in 232 AH and life in Samarra marked.
- Imam Hasan al-Askari (as) was the eleventh Imam, born in 232 AH.
- His father was Imam Ali al-Hadi (as), the tenth Imam.
- "Al-Askari" means "of the military camp" — it comes from Samarra, not from war.