Martyrdom of Imam Hasan Askari(a.s.)

8th of Rabi al-Awwal 1432 A.H. - Martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) - the 11th Holy Imam.

Martyrdom of Imam Hasan Askari(a.s.)

Imam al-Askari (a.s.) lived during the times of the Abbasid caliphs, Mu'taz, Muhtadi and Mu'tamid. The Holy Imam (A.S.) suffered more afflictions, confinement, terrorism and pursuit by the three above mentioned brutal and cruel caliphs and was, also, exposed to imprisonment at different times before them. The last caliph, whom the Holy Imam (a.s.) lived with, Mu'tamid, was dissolute, disposed to entertainment and pleasures, singing, and committing the forbidden. All these caused people to hate him, The Holy Imam (A.S.) suffered different kinds of troubles and torments in the hands of the caliph, Mu'tamid, who surrounded him with intensive security forces to keep an eye on him and pursue those who wanted to contact him.The reason that caused the Abbasids to be more envious against the high position of the Holy Imam (a.s.), among the Ummah, was their being afraid of his son, the Awaited Imam Mahdi (atfs). They knew that Imam would be the son of Imam Askari (a.s.) whom he referred to in one of his letters:"They thought that they could kill me in order to cut off my offspring, but Allah denied their sayings and praise be to Allah." The anger of the caliph, Mu'tamid, increased more when he saw that the whole ummah glorified, and showed great respect and superiority to the Holy Imam (A.S.); and the Shias more thant the Abbasids. On the other side, the caliph, Mu'tamid was greatly hated by the whole ummah. Therefore, he decided to annihilate the Holy Imam (a.s.) and assassinate him.

Imam Abu Muhammad Hassan al-Askari (a.s.) was poisoned by the caliph, Mu'tamad, and, thus, suffered severely and was martyred on 8th of the month of Rabi' Awwal in the year 260 (A.H.). At the time of his death, he was twenty-eight years old. He was buried in the house in which his father was buried in Samarra'. He left behind his son - Living Holy Awaited Saviour Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (atfs) the one who is awaited to bring about the heavenly rule of truth in the whole world.