Martyrdom of Imam Hassan Asgari in Iran 2023: Date, History, Facts about Samarra

The Martyrdom of Imam Hassan al-Askari is commemorated annually on the eighth day of Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. It will be observed on September 23 this year. Al-Askari, a descendant of the prophet Muhammad, is considered the twelfth of the Twelve Imams. At the young age of 28, al-Askari perished on the eighth day in the month of Rabi al-Awwal, estimated to be around December of 873 A.D. or January of 874 A.D. on the Gregorian calendar. The majority of Shias believe that al-Askari was poisoned at the caliph al-Mu’tamid’s behest.

The background of Martyrdom of Imam Hassan Asgari

Hasan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad, also known as Hasan al-Askari, was born in Rabi al-Awwal 230 of the Islamic calendar, according to Shia sources. This would be between November 844 and 847 according to the Gregorian calendar. He was born in Medina or Samarra to the tenth Shia Imam, Ali al-Hadi. Hasan and his father migrated to Samarra when he was two. After al-Hadi’s death in approximately 868 A.D., the majority of his adherents accepted al-Askari as the new Imam, although Ja’far, another of al-Hadi’s sons, unsuccessfully attempted to claim the Imamate for himself.

During his tenure as Imam, the Sunni Abbasid Caliphate closely monitored al-Askari and severely restricted his contact with the Shia population. In fact, he was given the name ‘al-Askari’ because he was compelled to reside in Samarra, also known as Askar. In addition to the widespread persecution of Shias by the Caliphate, it has been suggested that the reason for this restriction was the belief among some Shia elite that the eleventh Imam would father the Mahdi. In Islam, the Mahdi is believed to be a messianic savior who will bring justice and equality to the world, restore true religion, and usher in an eight or nine-year golden period before the end of the world.

Al-Askari passed away on the eighth day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal, between December 873 and January 874 A.D., at the age of 28. The majority of Shias believe that al-Askari was poisoned at the caliph al-Mu’tamid’s behest. In his ancestral residence, next to his father, he was interred. Important Shia and Sunni patrons subsequently transformed the home into a shrine.

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5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SAMARRA

Samarra is one of the four sacred cities of Islam in Iraq.

Samarra was constructed by Caliph Al-Mu’tasim in 836 A.D.

Samarra replaced Baghdad as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate from 836 to 892 A.D.

Samarra is located on the eastern shore of the Tigris.

Samarra’s population is approximately two hundred thousand.

MARTYRDOM OF IMAM HASSAN ASGARI DATES

Year	Date	Day
2022	October 4	Tuesday
2023	September 24	Sunday
2024	September 12	Thursday
2025	September 1	Monday
2026	August 22	Saturday