Then he travelled to Qom where he was engaged for five years...

Then he travelled to Qom where he was engaged for five years the acquisition of higher knowledge in the theological center of that city. After that he returned once more to Iraq as a pilgrim to the holy shrines of his exalted ancestors.

The last stages of his studies were covered in the religious cities of Iraq, and since then he has been fully active, devoting his whole life to scientific research and educational, social and missionary activities, so that fifteen Shi'ah institutes including primary and high schools, colleges, hospitals, and welfare organizations are memorials of the social activities of scholar 'Askari.

The scientific works of Professor 'Askari have certain characteristics, which enhance the possibility of discovery of truth in his investigations, and allow the views expressed in these works to posses precision, weight and dignity. The first quality that we observe in all his books and writing is his remoteness from prejudice and partiality.

As we shall see in this book, in his care to preserve truth, beside his analysis of the weak points in the character of the personality concerned, namely 'A'ishah, he has devoted a separate chapter to a description of her good qualities.

The second characteristic of his works is his reliance on important sources and first-hand texts, so that in the primary plan of his discussion he does not rely on the books written in the fifth century onward as the only reliable sources, and even in his use of first-hand texts he resorts to such books which are fully acceptable by the people.

For instance, owing to the doubt expressed by some modern scholars concerning some historical books, he does not rely on the book of 'Abd Allah ibn Saba' as the only available source. Dr.

Hafni, professor of the faculty of literature of Egypt, writes in an article printed in Iraqi journals on the occasion of the publication of the book of 'Abd Allah ibn Saba': "This scholar and expert of comparative history collects his highly scientific facts form many works and books, and he has stepped on every scene of history in order to discover forgotten truths.

This master investigator tries to prove his points by basing them on the arguments presented in the writings of anti-Shi'ah scholars. In this way he chooses the shortest route to vanquish the enemies of Shi'ism through their own arguments." 3 The third distinct quality of scholar 'Askari's works is the multiplicity of the sources on which he relies.