On October 4, 2025—the Wilādah of Imam Hasan al‑Askari (A.S.)—we remember how the light of Imamate continued to shine despite being shadowed by the iron grip of oppression. Born in either Medina or Samarra in Rabiʿ al‑Thānī 232 AH (circa December 846 CE), Imam Hasan al‑Askari was raised in the military‑garrison of Samarra—hence his title “al‑Askari”—under the Abbasids’ constant watch. Yet from his earliest years, he displayed a unique awareness: once, a passerby offered to purchase him toys, and the child responded that humans were created not for play but for knowledge and worship, quoting the Qur’an: “Did you then think that We had created you in vain?” . This humility and faithfulness to divine purpose define him.

His life, though short-lived—dying at only twenty-eight—was pivotal in preserving the continuity of divine guidance. He upheld the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) through taqiyyah, employing trusted agents to guide the community and protect his son—the awaited Imam al‑Mahdi (A.S.)—who would be born soon after. Imposing restrictions and surveillance could not extinguish his inner nobility: scholars recount his reverent piety, profound knowledge, and lifelong devotion to worship, even under confinement.

Reflecting on his birth, Shia believers see not only a continuation of Imamate but the bridge to hope, waiting, and eventual divine justice in the person of Imam al‑Mahdi. As the Qur’an reminds us, “Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him]” (42:13)—and through Imam Askari’s steadfastness, Allah preserved the light of guidance. May Allah grant us grace to cherish and uphold the legacy of Imam Hasan al‑Askari, to remain rooted in knowledge, patience, and unwavering faith in the face of adversity.