Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), the 11th Infallible Heir of Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWA)

Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz

On December 6, 846 AD (as per the Gregorian Calendar), Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), the 11th Infallible Heir of Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), was born in Medina. He later moved to Samarra to join his father, Imam Ali al-Hadi (AS), who was forced to come to the Abbasid capital in Iraq by the oppressive ruler, Mutawakkil.

The mantle of Imamate or divinely-decreed leadership of mankind came to rest on Imam Askari’s (AS) shoulders at the age of 22, following the martyrdom of his father through poisoning by the treacherous caliph, Mu'taz. For the next six years, the 11th Imam guided the ummah, until his own martyrdom in the prime of youth as a result of poisoning by the caliph, Mu’tamed.

During this period, his son and successor, Imam Mahdi (AS) was born and brought up in secrecy, safe and secure from the Abbasid spies. The 12th Imam who is in occultation by God’s Will is expected to emerge in the end times as the Redeemer of mankind to cleanse the earth of all vestiges of corruption and oppression by establishing the global government of peace, prosperity and justice.