Imam al-Askari: Preparing Believers to Take Action While Awaiting the Savior

Imam Hassan al-Askari lived in exceptionally harsh circumstances, suffering from pressure from the Abbasid authorities, who monitored his every move and imposed near-total isolation on him.

This situation forced the Imam to take long-term strategic steps aimed at preserving the Shi’a and ensuring the continuity of their thought and vision during the anticipated Greater Occultation of Imam Mahdi (aj). He even said, “None of my fathers has been afflicted with the same kind of doubt [Abbasids] had about me.”

Abbasid surveillance was so intense that they kept a close eye on the Imam and everything around him, and kept his female slaves under close surveillance for long periods to ensure that no pregnancy could reveal the birth of Imam Mahdi. Therefore, announcing the Imam’s birth was extremely sensitive, as it posed a grave risk to the Imam and his family.

In addition to protecting Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance), Imam al-Askari was aware that his role during this period extended beyond individual protection to collective protection of the Shi’a. 

During this period of increasing difficulties, he advised the Shi’as to adhere to their principles and preserve their doctrinal identity, even in the face of the loss of direct contact with the Imam.

Here we see the importance of the measures taken by Imam al-Askari to build a network of representatives and jurists who would form a line of communication with the Shi’a nation, while emphasizing the importance of moral and intellectual principles that would ensure that the Shi’as did not deviate from the correct path.

Imam al-Askari (as) was fully aware of the importance of establishing an independent Shi’i identity, as clearly demonstrated in his famous recommendation regarding the distinguishing characteristics of believers: “The signs of a believer are five: performing the fifty-one rak’ah (units) of prayer, performing the Arba’een pilgrimage, wearing a ring on the right hand, prostrating one’s forehead, and reciting aloud ‘Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem.’”

Through this recommendation, the Imam sought to establish fundamental concepts through actions and rituals that would represent the Shi’as and define their identity.

These rituals were not merely dry acts of worship; they served as evidence of the unity of the Shi’a community and its adherence to its values, despite the difficult circumstances surrounding it.

The Imam sought to preserve the Shi’as’ religious and cultural distinctiveness so that they would not assimilate into the broader Islamic community and become mingled with trends that might influence their thought and doctrine.

In addition to preserving the Shi’as’ independent identity, Imam al-Askari’s other recommendation was to coexist positively with the Islamic community.

He called on his Shi’as to actively participate in the life of the Islamic community, such as praying in the mosques of other denominations, participating in their funeral ceremonies, and visiting their sick.

Imam al-Askari was aware that the isolation of the Shi’as from the rest of the Islamic nation could lead to their weakness and marginalization.

Thus, Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) emerges as a wise leader who was able to devise a precise plan to ensure that the Shi’as remained on the path of truth and righteousness during the period of occultation, while balancing the preservation of identity with the necessity of coexistence within the nation.

The Imam did not want the Shi’as to be isolated from the Islamic nation under the pretext of preserving their independent identity, as this isolation would also lead to weakness and decline.

Coexistence with others, not only in religious matters but also in all aspects of social and humanitarian life, was the approach that would strengthen the Shi’as’ presence and make them an active part of the nation. 

Therefore, in addition to the first recommendation to preserve the independent Shi’a identity, the Imam recommended to his Shi’a to “pray among their people’s clans, attend their funerals, visit their sick, fulfill their rights. If any of you is pious, truthful, fulfills his trust, and behaves well with people to the point that it is said of him, ‘This [person with noble and beautiful conduct] is a Shi’a,’ that pleases me. Fear God and be an adornment to Shi’ism, and do not be a disgrace. Bring us all forms of affection and ward off all ugliness from us.”

Lessons from Imam al-Askari

The circumstances that Imam al-Askari (as) experienced are not much different from the challenges facing Shi’a today, especially in light of the ongoing oppression by major powers such as “Israel” and America.

The siege and persecution that Imam al-Askari was subjected to were similar to the political and economic siege that Muslims suffer in many parts of the world.

Despite these difficulties, the Imam advised his Shi’as to be patient and steadfast in their principles, which has distinguished Shi’a throughout their history: patience in the face of oppression and refusal to surrender.

Today, when we witness the legendary steadfastness of Shi’as in the face of oppressive forces, we find that Imam al-Askari’s commandments are clearly evident in their daily behavior.

While Shi’as face pressures and challenges from arrogant regimes, they draw their strength from Imam al-Askari’s principles, which lie in patience, preserving identity, and coexisting with the nation.

The responsibility of Shi’as today requires us to follow the plan of Imam al-Askari (as) in preserving our independent identity and adhering to the principles he established, especially in the face of the injustice practiced by the enemies of the nation.

Our awaiting of Imam Mahdi (aj) also requires us to make a continuous effort to preserve our unity and to be prepared at all times for the appearance that will change the course of history.

We must be an adornment to society, defend our values ​​and principles, and be in constant struggle against the forces that seek to destroy our culture and values.

Ultimately, Imam al-Askari’s strategies, the foundations of which he laid during his occultation, are living proof of how to confront injustice and adhere to principles in the most difficult circumstances. This is what we need today in the face of the major challenges posed by global arrogance.