Iranians mourn martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hasan al-Askari

Heartiest condolences to all Shia Muslims throughout the world on this occasion. Millions of Muslims in Iran and around the world are observing the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hasan al-Askari (Peace Be Upon Him).

Imam Hassan al-Askari (PBUH) was born in Madina, on the 8th day of the month of Rabi’ Thani, in the year 232 A.H. He was called ‘al-Askari’ in connection with the district of Askar in the city of Samarra’ in which he (the Imam) and his father, Imam Ali un-Naqi al-Hadi (BPUH) were imprisoned by the Abbasid caliphs.

The holy Imam Hasan al-Askari (PBUH) was born and brought up under the care of his father, Imam Ali al-Hadi (PBUH), who was well-known for his divinely inspired knowledge, holy striving (Jihad) and good acts and from him he learned the best of morals, the abundance of knowledge, the spirit of belief and the good merits of Ahlul-Bayt (PBUH).
Indeed, Imam Hasan al-Askari accompanied his holy father and lived whit him for more than twenty-three years, during which, he comprehended the sciences of the descendants of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) and learned the inheritance of the divine leadership. He looked like his fathers in the fields of knowledge, good deeds, jihad, and calling to reform in the community of his holy grandfather, Prophet Muhammad (S). Various narrations are given concerning the leadership of Imam al-Askari (PBUH) and the issue of his leadership appeared during the period of his holy father, Imam Ali al-Hadi (PBUH).

Each year on this day, millions of Muslims, dressed in black, attend Husseiniyahs (an indoor place for observing religious ceremonies) and mosques in mass mourning processions and listen to elegies, with benefactors distributing votive food.

In Iran, black-clad faithful gather in mosques, places of worship and religious sites to listen to eulogies delivered in honor of the revered figure. On this day, families and households prepare food, known as Nazri, for others as a way of almsgiving. The preparation and the partaking of this food are considered a privilege by believers.