Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S), introduced the savior of humanity
(imam mahdi (a.s)
Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S) has said: "There are two characteristics, which surpass all others: having faith in Allah, and benefiting one's brothers (in faith)."
One of the major responsibilities of Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S), for which he endeavored earnestly, was to introduce the Imam after him to the Shiites and to inform them of the next Imam's occultation. At the time, the Abbasid dynasty, having had heard the words of the previous Imams (A.S) and those of Prophets' (A.S. about the savior that would be born to Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S), were in close watch of Imam Hassan's (A.S) residency to make sure he would not have a son. Thereupon, Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S) had to hide his son from the guards sent by the government and in that manner save his son's life. After the martyrdom of Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S), Imam Mahdi (A.S) went into the periods of his short and long occultation, whereupon most Shiites were deprived from seeing their Imam. Upon this matter, at the time of Imam al-Askari (A.S) it was necessary to introduce Imam Mahdi (A.S) to certain Shiites, and clarify his processes of occultation. Many narrations have been recorded on this matter, but in this excerpt we will refer to only one
Ahmad ibn Is'haq, one of the reliable companions of Imam Hassan al-Askari (A.S), has narrated: "In one of my visits to the Imam, I had intended to ask about his successor. Yet before I had spoken, the Imam (A.S) said: 'O Ahmad ibn Is'haq! From the creation of Adam, Allah (SWT) has never left the earth without His successor on people, and will never do so until the Day of Judgment…'