He was the great grandson of Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba (AS), the second holy Imam of the Shi’ites. He possessed complete knowledge of the religious sciences and the Holy Qur’an. He is considered as one of the leading Shi’ite theologians and the narrator of the traditions of the Infallible Imams (AS).
His prosperous birth was in 173(Lunar Hegira) in the sacred city of Medina and his 79 fruitful years of life was simultaneous with the periods of four immaculate Imams i.e. Imam Mussa Kazem(AS), Imam Reza(AS), Imam Muhammad Taqi al-Javad (AS) and Imam Ali un-Naqi al-Hadi(AS). He enjoyed the holy presence of these Imams and narrated a lot of Hadiths from them.
The Infallible Imams (AS) has complemented and appreciated the scientific and trustworthy character of Hazrat Abdul Azim Hassani (AS).
The tenth holy Imam Hazrat Imam al-Hadi (AS) sometimes referred those who had questions and problems to Hazrat Abdul Azim(A.S.) who was known and introduced as a real friend and follower by His Holiness.
In the scientific works of prominent Shi’ite Ulama (theologians and traditionists) there are many complements and admirations about him. They addressed him as a devoted worshipper, a gnostic, pious and trusted personality who possessed clear beliefs and an illuminated heart and was one of the greatest narrators (Muhaddith) in the Shi’ite history.
In a tradition from Imam Ali un-Naqi al-Hadi(AS) it is stated by the Holy Imam(AS) that pilgrimage(Ziyarat) to the grave of Hazrat Abdul Azim Hasani (AS) in Ray has the heavenly reward as much as the Ziyarat of the holy grave of Hazrat Sayyid al-Shuhada Imam Hussein(AS).
The grounds for which Hazrat Abdul Azim (AS) had to take a flight from Medina to Ray is to be figured out in political and social conditions of that era. The Abbasid caliphs were excessively cruel to the Holy Ahl-ul- Bayt(AS) and the Shi’ites of the Holy Imams(AS). Mutawakkel, the cruel Abbasid caliph had an intense enimity and hostility towards the Holy Ahl-ul-Bayt(AS) and during his period the holy shrine of Imam Hussein(AS) was entirely demolished and the pilgrimage to his holy shrine was completely banned.
The Sadaat [the descendants of the Holy Prophet of Islam(PBUH) and the Shi’ites were in the worst situation during that era. Hazrat Abdul Azim(AS) was not safe in this situation either. The Abbasids attempted to kill him several times. At this critical condition Hazrat Abdul Azim(AS) visited Hazrat Imam Hadi(AS) and presented his beliefs and doctrines to him. His Holiness (AS) approved his beliefs and said: “You are a friend of ours”.
His visit to Samarrah was reported to Abbasid caliph and he ordered to arrest Hazrat Abdul Azim(AS). He decided to remain hidden for some time. So he travelled to different cities, hiding his identity.
The city of Ray was an important Muslim city since the arrival of Islam in Iran. Ray is endowed with such a fertile and rich land that Omar ibn Saad martyred Imam Hussein (AS) in the tragic event of Karbala because he was promised to be appointed as the governor of Ray.
Both the Sunnis and the Shi’ites lived in Ray during that period. The southern and south-western parts were mainly resided by the Shi’ites. Hazrat Abdul Azim(AS) arrived in Ray as an unknown traveller and went to a Shi’ite’s house in Sarebanan neighborhood. He lived in a basement for a while and rarely came out of his house. He fasted during the days and prayed at nights.
Only a few of the Shi’ites were informed of his presence in Ray and visited him secretly. They tried not to disclose this matter so that his life should not be endangered. After a while, more people came to know about him and his house became the centre of Shi’ites, who took the advantage of his knowledge and narrations and smelled the fragrance of Holy Ahl-ul-Bayt(AS) from his holiness.
Hazrat Abdul Azim was very popular among the Shi’ites in Ray and replied to their religious queries and solved their problems. This shows the outstanding role of Hazrat Abdul Azim(AS) and his responsibility on behalf of Hazrat Imam Hadi(AS) as the Holy Imam’s representative. The Shi’ites accepted his sayings because he was the representative of the Holy Imam (AS) and the disciples of Holy Ahl-ul-Bayt(AS) gathered around him.
In the last days of his fruitful life he suffered a serious illness which made him so weak that he was unable to meet the public. The constant sufferings of the Shi’ites enhanced his unbearable pain.
