Imam Hassan Askari (AS) was a gracious personality and an unmatched exigent of the Qur'an. More than 100 well-known wise men remained continuously present in his assembly.
During a period of 16 years, when he lived in Iraq, the territories from Syria up to Medina, particularly Iran was under his influence.
Imam Askari's spiritual and knowledge influence went to the extent that it over-whelmed the court of "Almutaz" and all the wise-men busy in his government machinery got enamored enticed, and fascinated by Imam Askari (AS).
When he traveled to Iran and crossed over the Lawasan via Qum and Rey, the people captivated and fascinated by the School of the Ahlul-Bait (AS), gathered all around him and expressed their warm feelings and sentiments for him.
He made a speech before the people of Lawasan and ordered them to build a mosque and declare it as their holy base. His command proved so effective that people got busy in building 70 mosques in a single day.
One of the courtiers of Abbasid caliphate named "Ahmad ibn Khaqan, who was an enemy of the Prophet's family, one day said:
"I have not seen anybody in Samarah among the Bani Hashim family, more pious, virtuous and chaste than Imam Hassan Askari (AS). If the caliphate goes out of the Bani Abbasid's hands, then no one except Hassan Askari will be capable and fit for it."
Then he further said:
"One day I was present with my father when Imam Askari (AS) arrived there, although my father was the enemy of the Prophet's family, yet he got up from his place, kissed his hand and made him seated upon his own place and sat before him like a pupil in front of a teacher and listened to Imam's words carefully .
source : www.sibtayn.com
