Samarra, the area in which Imam Hasan and his father Imam al-Hadi were forced to live in, was also known as the Askar (Military) because the ruler had his military stationed there. Based on the Imam’s association with that particular spot, he was referred to as al-Askari. As a celebrated saint, Imam Hasan al-Askari was also referred to as al-Zaki (the one of spiritual purity and growth)