Hasan Al-Askari - Oppression By The Abbasid Caliphs

Oppression By The Abbasid Caliphs

Hasan al-Askari lived almost his entire life under house arrest in Samarra and under supervision of Abbasid caliphs.

Al-Mutawakkil son al-Mu’tasim was the first of these oppressive caliphs. He assumed the rule in 232 AH. In the same year Imam Abu Muhammad (a.s.) was born. Al-Mutawakkil had strong animosity towards the any members of the Ahlul Bayt and as such he ordered his men to bring Imam al-Hadi to Samarra from Medina. He imposed house arrest on the Imam and had detectives and policeman watching all his activities and preventing the Shii from having any contact with him. The reign of al-Mutawakkil was ended by his son, al-Muntasir, who joined forces with the Turks to kill his father. After the coup al-Muntasir assumed the rule that once belonged to his father. He was not like his father, and during this time Imam Hasan al-Askari felt freedom. This reign did not last long, as al-Muntasir died shortly thereafter. Most historians believe he was assassinated by the Turks, via poison, due to their fear that he might end their domination over the Islamic nation. After the death of al-Muntasir, al-Musta'een took control. he had little political influence and was considered by many to be a tool controlled by the Turks. He had bitter hatred of Imam al-Askari and feared that he might rise in a revolt against the Abbasid rule. He was thus again placed under house arrest. Eventually, al-Musta'een's rule too was ended by the Turks and he was forced to hand the position over to al-Mu'tazz. Imam Hasan al-Askari continued to live under house arrest under the reign of al-Mu'tazz, al-Muhtadi, and al-Mu'tamid, until his death. The cause of his death has largely been speculated to be due to poison administered by the last Abbasid caliph of his time, al-Mu'tamid.