11th Imam of the Ahlul Bayt (as)
| Name | Hazrat Hasan Ibn Ali (as) |
| Father | Hazrat Imam Ali Naqi (as) |
| Mother | Saleel, Sousan |
| Date of Birth | 8th Rabi us Thaani, 232 A.H. |
| Place of Birth | Madinah Munawwarah |
| Kuniyyat | Abu Mohammad |
| Titles | Askari, Khalis, Zaki, Hadi, etc. |
| Age | 28 years |
| Martyrdom | 8th Rabiul Awwal, 260 A.H. |
| Buried | Saamarra |
Imam Hasan Askari (as.) was born on the 8th of Rabi us Thaani, 232 A.H. in Madinah. His mother's name was 'Saleel'. His Kuniyyat was Abu Mohammad. His moral, spiritual and physical characteristics are mentioned in historical books, greatly emphasizing on his majesty and grandeur.
"I will bring from him (Imam Hadi (as.)) a caller towards My path and a treasurer of My knowledge, Hasan."
— Hadees-e-LauhAfter the martyrdom of his father in 254 A.H., he took the reins of the nation's affairs at the age of 22. He spent the six years of his Imamate with three Abbasid caliphs — Mo'taz, Mohtadi and Motamid.
The reason behind his title 'Askari' is that they were forcibly kept in a military cantonment (Askar) in Saamarra. The Imam spent most of the time of his Imamate in this area under strict government vigilance and hence the title of Askari was given to him.
The main reason for the unlimited harassment of the government towards the Imam (as.) was to a great extent directly related to the matter of belief that the real avenger and the one who will return the right of the innocent and oppressed from the oppressors — Imam Mahdi Hujjat Ibnil Hasan (as.) will be from his progeny. The Abbasids were certain of this prophecy and therefore made every attempt that the child should not come into this world at all.
The life history of Imam (as.) notes that he was always kept under the surveillance of hard hearted and tyrannical jailors. Amongst this evil group we find the name of Saleh Ibn Waseef. The Abbasids made every attempt in destroying the manifested unity of the Shiahs.
He had no parallel in worship and piety. When two of the most wicked agents of Saleh Ibn Waseef (the jailor of Imam (as.)) were forced by the Abbasids to be more severe with Imam (as.), they would describe him in the following words:
"What do you say about such a great man who fasts during the day and worships Allah during the night. He does not speak much and does not engage himself except in worship and obedience. When he looks at us, we begin to tremble involuntarily (a trembling due to the magnificence of Imam (as.)), and his fear sinks deep down into our heart."
— Al-Kaafi, vol. 1, p. 512In order to circumvent the severe restrictions of the government, Imam (as.) placed a great emphasis on 'Taqaiyyah.' He used to command his companions like Dawood Ibn Aswad to continue their own work. He addressed his followers:
"Be careful (of your duty) towards Allah. Be an ornament for us and do not be a disgrace for us. Attract the love of others towards us and repel the evils (which attack the belief in us) away from us."
— Mustadrak al-Wasaael, vol. 8When he wanted to brighten the saddened hearts of his followers and give them glad tidings of a bright future, he wrote to Ali Ibnil Husain Ibn Musa Ibn Babwayh Qummi:
"I advise you to be patient and to wait for 'faraj' (because) surely the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) said; The best act of my people is to wait for the 'faraj'. Our people will always be engulfed in sorrows and troubles so much so that my son the one whose glad tidings (of reappearance) was given by the Holy Prophet will emerge. Advise all the Shiahs on my behalf to be steadfast and patient."
Imam (as.) used to advise his companions towards awareness in a society ruled by the Abbasids:
"There is a door in heaven called 'Babul Ma'roof' (the door of goodness) and none will enter it except people with goodness (in their actions)."
— Mustadrak al-Wasaael, vol. 12"One who rides on the back of falsehood will be made to descend the abode of regret."
— Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 78On the command of Mo'tamid Abbasi, Imam (as.) was poisoned at the age of 28 years. When Mo'tamid heard of his declining health, he sent his special servant along with his other agents and ordered the Chief Justice to prepare and sign false testimonies stating that Imam (as.) had died a natural death. This act itself proves how much the powerful Abbasids were fearful of the hidden Shiah strength.
Thus, on 8th Rabiul Awwal, 260 A.H., Imam (as.) was martyred. On the caliph's order, the house of Imam (as.) was searched by his agents in order to verify that he had not left behind a son. Allah put a veil on their eyes and they could see nothing. The holy body of Imam Hasan Askari (as.) was buried in his ancestral home near the grave of his father. (Peace be on them all.)