Shia Muslims prepare to commemorate martyrdom of Imam al-Hasan al-Askari in Holy Samarra
Large crowds of pilgrims from various Iraqi provinces have begun converging on the sacred city of Samarra to commemorate the sorrowful anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari, peace be upon him, at his holy shrine.
The holy shrine has been covered in black banners to mark this tragic occasion of Ahlulbayt, peace be upon them, amid security and service plans to receive the honourable pilgrims who will come from different countries.
It should be noted that the 8th of Rabi al-Awwal marks the sorrowful martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hasan al-Askari, the 11th Infallible Imam, peace be upon him.
According to the historical traditions, the mourning of Shias does not end with the end of the months of Muharram and Safar, but continues until the eighth day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal, after which the days of joy and happiness of the Shias come on the occasion of the eve of the 9th of Rabi al-Awwal.
Imam Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him), the son of Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him), the father of Imam al-Mahdi (peace be upon him), and the 11th Imam of the Shias, was born in the year 232 AH in Madinah.
After the martyrdom of his father in 254 AH, he assumed the Imamate. At the age of 28, after six years, he was poisoned by al-Muta’mid al-Abbasi and died a martyr on the eighth of Rabi al-Awwal in the year 260 AH in the city of Samarra.
His kunya is Aba Muhammad, but some sources have also mentioned other kunyas such as Abal-Hujjah, Abal-Hassan and Abal-Qa’im.
The holy city of Samarra is expected to receive millions of pilgrims from various Iraqi provinces, as well as Arab and foreign visitors, who come to observe the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam al-Askari, peace be upon him.
