Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Shahadat of 11th Imam Hassan Al-Askari (A.S.) - 8th Rabi 'Al Awwal, / December 8, 2016

"Fear Allah, be as adornment on behalf of us and be not as shame that defames our name. This is the only way by which others shall be attracted toward us (the Ahlul Bayt of the Holy Prophet s.a.w.)."
- Imam Hassan Al-Askari (A.S.)


In His Name, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Salaamun 'Alaykum,

Shahadat of 11th Imam Hassan Al-Askari (A.S.) - 8th Rabi 'Al Awwal, / December 8, 2016
Shrine of 11th Imam Hassan Al-Askari (A.S.) in Samarra
Name: Hassan
Title: Al-Askari
Designation: 11th Imam
Kunyat: Abu Muhammad
Father: 10th Imam Ali an-Naqi (A.S.)
Mother: Saleel / Hadeesa Khatoon
Born: 10th Rabi 'Al Thaani, 232 AH (846 AD)
Died: 8th Rabi 'Al Awwal, 260 AH (874 AD)
Lived: 28 Years
Martyred: Poisoned by Mo'tamad
Buried: Samarra, Iraq
Period of Imamat: 6 Years
Samarra was a garrison town about 60 miles north of Baghdad. River Euphrates flows in the middle of the town, and because of the surrounding hills a cool breeze keeps the area cooler in comparison to Baghdad. The word 'Asker' in Arabic is used for army. Our 11th Imam's title became known as Askari, the one who lived all his life in a garrison town
In spite of the fact that the Imam had never given any cause for concern to the Caliphs of his time, their guilt in this matter was so great that they did not leave these pious personalities in peace. If they had no fear of their throne they were afraid of the excellence and knowledge of the Imams. In the case of Imam Hasan Al-Askari, the same type of jealousy led to the poisoning of the Imam to end this life of a saint whose only activity was to teach Qur'an as the Prophet and his Ahlulbayt taught before him. During the rule of Al-Mu'tamid poison was given to the Imam mixed in some fruit and he died on 8th Rabi Al-Awwal 260 Hijri. He left only one son, whose name was Muhammad who was only five years old when his father died.
During the rule of Al-Mu'tamid poison was given to the Imam mixed in some fruit and he died on 8th Rabi Al-Awwal 260 Hijri. He left only one son, whose name was Muhammad who was only five years old when his father died.
The Caliph Al-Mu'tamid himself attended the funeral prayer. When they all lined up and were ready to commence the prayers, Imam Hasan Al-Askari's brother Jaafar stood in front of the people to lead the prayer. Before he could commence the prayer, a five year old boy came out of the house, went near his uncle. Shook his mantle and told him, "Set aside uncle, only an Imam can lead the funeral prayer of an Imam". His uncle Jaafar stepped aside and this five year old boy lead the prayers. Immediately after the end of the prayer he went inside his house and was not seen by his pursuers, lead by the caliph Mu'tamid himself.
Our Eleventh Imam was buried in the same house where he had died, by the side of his father Imam Ali Naqi (AS). By the passage of time, the place was transformed into a great mausoleum and pilgrims from all over the Islamic lands came to pay their homage to the two Imams of Ahlulbayt who were buried there.
On this tragic and sad occasion we extend our Heartfelt Condolences to all the lovers of Holy Ahlul Bayt(A.S.). and to our present Imam, Imam Al-Mahdi (May Allah Hasten His Appearance).We also pray that we get the special invitation for Ziyarat in Samarah.