*The Guard Who Changed*

The Abbasid rulers tried to weaken Imam Ḥasan al-ʿAskarī (A.S.) by keeping him under strict watch in Sāmarrā. They would often assign the harshest officers to guard him, hoping that constant surveillance would break his spirit.

On one occasion, a particularly cruel soldier was appointed. Known for his hostility and roughness, he was instructed to keep the Imam under tight control and report any sign of rebellion. Yet, what he witnessed over the days astonished him.

Instead of anger or resentment, the Imam met every moment with serenity. He spent long hours in prayer, reciting Qur’an, whispering duʿā, and bowing in humility before his Lord. When he spoke, his words were gentle, wise, and filled with remembrance of God. Not once did he complain, nor did he show the bitterness one might expect from a man unjustly imprisoned.

The guard’s heart began to soften. His suspicion gave way to admiration, and eventually, he could no longer hide his feelings. He admitted openly: “This man is among the best of creation. I find in him no fault—only piety, patience, and purity. How can anyone accuse him of wrongdoing?”

The rulers had hoped to humiliate the Imam, but instead their own guards became witnesses to his greatness.

This story reminds us that true faith cannot be confined. Just as Imam al-ʿAskarī (A.S.) transformed the heart of a hostile guard, so too can patience, sincerity, and worship transform the world around us.