On the auspicious occasion of the birth Anniversary of Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him), we are pleased to invite you, through this week’s Friday bulletin, to visit the mosque that was built under the direct order of the Imam himself. Imam Hasan al-Askari Mosque is located near the holy shrine of Lady Fatima Masoumeh (peace be upon her) in Qom-Iran. Hujjat al-Islam Tahvildar, the internal manager of this mosque, has been interviewed regarding the Mosque, where you can find more details:

Hujjat al-Islam Tahvildar, thank you for your time.

1- Could you please explain the history and philosophy behind the construction of this mosque?

Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him) directly ordered his agent, Ahmad ibn Ishaq al-Ash’ari Qomi, to build a mosque in Qom using the funds allocated for that purpose. Ahmad ibn Ishaq al-Ash’ari started the construction of this mosque in 256 AH. He was a trustworthy representative of Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him) and had the honour of meeting in person with the Imam in Samarra. Ahmad ibn Ishaq also had the privilege of seeing the young Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) in the arms of his noble father. His blessed grave is in the city of Sarpol-e Zahab, which attracts many pilgrims.

2- Did this mosque ever host Friday prayers?

In the past, many notable figures led prayers in this mosque. Ayatollah Araki, one of the great scholars, used to lead Friday prayers here before the Islamic Revolution. After the revolution, the tradition continued until the Friday prayers were moved to the Imam Khomeini Prayer Complex due to its close proximity to the mosque.

3- Why are multiple congregational prayers held simultaneously in this mosque?

This mosque has multiple prayer halls, so six congregational prayers can be held simultaneously in six different sections.

4- In addition to its religious activities, this mosque is also a centre for political and social events. Can you elaborate on that?

Before the Islamic Revolution, when Qom was a smaller city, most religious ceremonies were held in this mosque. After the revolution, it became a centre for political and social activities. Many social events, such as the funeral processions of martyrs and great scholars, start at this mosque and proceed to the holy shrine.

5- Could you share some details about the mosque’s size and the participation of the people?

The mosque consists of both old and new sections, with the new part covering 25,000 square meters. It has seven prayer halls and 14 doors. Many pilgrims from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq visit this mosque. Due to its historical significance, proximity to the market, and location near the holy shrine, it attracts many worshippers. Many prominent scholars and religious authorities have either led prayers or spent time in seclusion (i’tikaf) here. The foundation stone for the new section was laid by Ayatollah Safi Golpaygani in 1375 AH. The entire Quran is being inscribed in mosaic tiles across a 9,000-meter length, making it a unique and rare Islamic art piece in the world.

6- Why is this mosque not very well known despite its significance?

We are working with national media and cultural organizations to raise awareness about the mosque. Although the national broadcaster has covered the mosque a few times, it has not been sufficient or impactful.

7- Considering the number of non-Iranian visitors, have any provisions been made to introduce the mosque to foreign pilgrims?

Unfortunately, the efforts have not been sufficient. We hope that scholars and devotees of Imam Hasan al-Askari in Qom will step forward to help. For instance, those who are fluent in English, Arabic, Urdu, or other languages can assist in promoting the mosque.

8- Has there been any activity in introducing this mosque through social media?

Unfortunately, there is no specific social media channel or page dedicated to the mosque. However, large mourning groups from various cities that hold ceremonies in this mosque do promote it on their own websites and social media. We hope that, along with the completion and expansion of the mosque, necessary steps will be taken. We invite experts and skilled individuals who wish to serve the Ahl ul-Bayt (peace be upon them) to join us in making this mosque known globally.