Imam Hadi (AS) Exiled to Samarra

Upon gaining power, Mutawakkil became concerned about the popularity and the social status of Imam Hadi among the Muslims. The Imam was also the political and religious leader of the well-established and large Shia community. Furthermore, every so often, Mutawakkil would receive criticisms against the Imam from his officials who wanted to trigger him into action. One of these officials was Abdullah ibn Muhammad, his governor in Medina. He sent a letter to Mutawakkil and informed him about the Shias who had believed in the Imamat of Imam Hadi, and also wrongfully placed accusations upon the Imam. Imam Hadi, who was aware of Abdullah’s communication, sent a letter to Mutawakkil to falsify Abdullah’s accusation and reminded Mutawakkil of Abdullah’s wrongdoings against himself. However, the Imam’s letter could not change Mutawakkil’s intentions. Thus, Mutawakkil, who was one of the most hostile Abbasid caliphs toward the Shias, decided to take action against the Imam. He decided to exile the Imam to his Capital in Samarra. By this decision, Mutawakkil could separate the Imam from his followers and also closely oversee his activities. He would also ensure that the Imam could not rise up against the Abbasids’ injustices. Furthermore, the Imam was accessible to him in case he decided to eliminate him at any time.
Mutawakkil’s decision to exile Imam Hadi to his Capital in Samarra was not an unprecedented conspiracy against a Shia Imam. His plot was consistent with the conspiracies of the previous Abbasid caliphs against the Shia Imams since their establishment. For example, Saffah, the first Abbasid Caliph, exiled Imam Sadiq to his Capital in Heerah, a city near Kufa, for about two years. His successor, Mansur, forcefully brought Imam Sadiq to his Capital in Baghdad on a few occasions and finally ordered his martyrdom. Later, Haroon imprisoned Imam Kazim in Baghdad and martyred him. Ma’mun also moved Imam Reza to his Capital in Merv and selected him as his Crown Prince. He then martyred Imam Reza after a short period of just about one-and-a-half years. After Ma’mun, his successor, Mu’tasim, also moved Imam Javad to his Capital in Baghdad, and after a short period of about 10 months, martyred the Imam. The long-standing hostilities and conspiracies of the Abbasid caliphs against the Shia Imams were due to the fact that the Shia Imams never endorsed the legitimacy of any of the Abbasid caliphs. The Shia Imams had social status and were respected by the Muslim community for their divine knowledge, spirituality, and being the Prophet’s descendants. They were also the leaders of the Shia community, who regarded the Abbasids as an oppressive and illegitimate government.
To implement his plot, Mutawakkil sent an army of 300 soldiers to Medina to escort the Imam to Samarra. He also gave the army commander, Yahya ibn Harthamah, an invitation letter for the Imam. In this letter, Mutawakkil expressed his respect and honor for the Imam to deceive the public that