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• 7 Rabi I 1448

The Representative of the Religious Authority in Europe Offers Condolences to the Muslim World on the Martyrdom of Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him), Saying:
“Although Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him) lived for no more than 28 years, he was able to leave behind a magnificent legacy in worship, knowledge, ethics, education, patience, and steadfastness, and to fulfil his divine responsibility during one of the most delicate periods experienced by the school of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).”
Coinciding with this painful anniversary—the anniversary of Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) assuming the Imamate after his father, Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him)

The Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) Heritage Revival Foundation held a commemorative gathering on the occasion of the martyrdom of the Eleventh Imam (peace be upon him), which falls on Saturday, 8 Rabi' al-Awwal, corresponding to 22 August.
During the gathering, Allamah Sayyid Murtadha al-Kashmiri spoke in general terms about the illuminating milestones in the life of Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him), who was an exemplary figure in shouldering responsibility at an early age. This calls upon us to follow his example and take guidance from his life—educationally, morally, religiously, and practically—and to use this blessed biography to nurture ourselves, our children, and future generations so that we may be worthy of carrying this message.
We highlight six lessons from the life of this great Imam that can serve as guidance for our present and our future:

1. Raising our children to embrace responsibility:
Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him) was an example of a person who assumed responsibility at an early age. Therefore, we should follow his example in educational, moral, religious, and practical matters.

2. Combining worship with awareness:
A believer is neither a worshipper without awareness nor an intellectual without worship. Rather, a person is expected to combine faith, knowledge, reason, and action.


3. Dealing with crises wisely:
Not every circumstance requires direct confrontation, and not every silence is a sign of weakness. Wisdom lies in knowing when to speak, when to remain silent, when to act, and how to act.


4. Preserving our ethics in times of disagreement:
It is easy for a person to behave ethically when he agrees with others, but the real test comes when disagreements arise. Here, we learn from Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) that preserving human dignity is itself part of religion.

5. Preparing ourselves for the future:
Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) lived in the present while also thinking about the future. This is a responsibility shared by every religious, scholarly, and social institution.

6. Being beneficial to others:
One of the most beautiful lessons left by the Imam (peace be upon him) is that the value of faith becomes evident through serving others. A believer who prays but does not care about the suffering of others has not fully realized the essence of faith.

In this brief overview, we can see that although the life of Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (peace be upon him) was short, it was rich in significant milestones: his birth into the household of the Imam (peace be upon him), his scholarly and spiritual upbringing, his move to Samarra, his confrontation with surveillance and restrictions, his teaching of the Muslim community, his nurturing of the Shi'a, his organization of their affairs, his preparation for the period of occultation of his son, Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance), his patience in the face of trials, and his steadfastness upon the path of the Imamate until his martyrdom.
Perhaps the greatest lesson we can learn from his life is that a person's strength does not always lie in their ability to change their circumstances. Rather, it lies in their ability to preserve their faith and principles and to transform difficult circumstances into a means of creating a lasting impact.
Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) lived at a time when the authorities sought to isolate him from the community, yet he remained present in the hearts of believers. They sought to confine him to a military city, but his words and positions spread beyond the boundaries of Samarra. They sought to end his influence through his martyrdom, only for his school and legacy to extend across the centuries.
Thus, the life of this Imam remains a message to every believer living through difficult times: Do not allow the hardship of circumstances to become a reason for abandoning the truth; do not allow the brevity of an opportunity to become an excuse for giving less; and do not allow trials to make you believe that the journey has ended. If a person is sincere with Allah, they can turn a short life into a lasting legacy that continues for generations.
May the peace of Allah be upon you, O Imam al-Askari, on the day you were born, on the day you lived with patience and sought reward from Allah, on the day you were martyred while oppressed, and on the day you are raised alive.
May Allah make us among those who remain steadfast in their allegiance to Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), those who follow their path, and those who await the relief and reappearance of His greatest representative, Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance).
Alongside this sad occasion, the following day, the ninth of Rabi' al-Awwal, marks a joyful occasion: the investiture of the Awaited Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) with the mantle of the Imamate, when he was six years old.
This also dispels the misconception surrounding “Eid al-Zahra” (the Festival of al-Zahra), a designation found in Imami tradition. Although a well-known narration has been reported regarding its virtue, its chain of transmission is subject to scholarly criticism, and it is not appropriate to assert all of its details with certainty.
As for the claim that the ninth of Rabi' al-Awwal historically marks the death of one of the Companions, this is not correct, as historical sources indicate that his death occurred in Dhu al-Hijjah.
As for calling the day “Eid al-Zahra” (peace be upon her), this is a commonly used designation in some circles, but it is not a title whose religious establishment is unanimously agreed upon.
At the same time, the significance of the day as the first day of Imam al-Mahdi's (may Allah hasten his reappearance) Imamate following the martyrdom of his father, Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him), is recognized by a number of scholars.
Therefore, it is more prudent and appropriate to treat the day as an occasion for legitimate joy in the wilayah of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and the Imamate of the Master of the Age (may Allah hasten his reappearance), without attributing to Islamic law anything that has not been established, and without committing prohibited acts or offending others.
In this way, the joy of al-Zahra (peace be upon her) becomes joy in guidance, not joy in hostility; joy in wilayah, not joy in aggression; and joy in Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance), rather than an occasion for disregarding the commandments of Allah.
If a person truly wishes to bring happiness to the heart of al-Zahra (peace be upon her), the greatest thing they can do is to ask themselves on that day:
Am I today closer to the character and ethics of Muhammad, Ali, Fatimah, al-Hasan, al-Husayn, and the Imams (peace be upon them)? And if Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) were to appear now, would he find me among his sincere supporters?
If the answer is yes, then the occasion has been transformed from a passing celebration into a covenant with Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), and from merely a day on the calendar into a day dedicated to building and developing the human being.
We ask Almighty Allah to hasten the relief and reappearance of the Qa'im of the Family of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), and to make us among his supporters, helpers, and those who prepare the way for the establishment of his rule. Indeed, He is All-Hearing and Responsive.
O Allah, let us behold the radiant countenance and noble appearance of the Awaited One. Anoint our eyes with the joy of witnessing his reappearance. Indeed, they see it as far away, while we see it as near, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of those who show mercy.