Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (as)

Imam Hassan (as) was born in Medina on Tuesday, 15^th Ramadhan 3 AH. His proud parents were the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) and Bibi Fatimah Az Zahra, the Leader of Women of all times. The birth of Imam Hassan was great news for our Holy Prophet (saw). It is reported that when he first held Imam Hassan (as) he recited the adhan and the iqamah his ears.

The Holy Prophet (saw) dearly loved Imam Hassan (as) and this was made known for all to see as the following narrations reveal:

 Al-Hafid Abu Na’im reports on the authority of Abu Bakr, who said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) was leading us in prayer. Hassan, who was still a child, would come to him while he was in prostration, and sit on his back or sometimes on his neck. The Prophet (saw) would lift him tenderly. When the prayer was finished, they (the Muslims) asked him ‘O Messenger of Allah! You are doing to this boy what you do not do to another person?’ ‘He is my basil,’ he replied.”

Anas bin Malik said: “The Messenger of Allah (saw) was asked: ‘Who is most loved by you from among your family?’ ‘Hassan and Hussein,’ he answered.” The Prophet himself has said, “Hassan is from me and I am from him. Allah loves whoever loves him.”

During his infancy, Imam Hasssan (as) was blessed with the care of the Holy Prophet (saw). This blessing enabled him to inherit his grandfather’s noble character and vast knowledge.

Imam Hassan (as) was less than ten years old when he suffered the great loss of the Holy Prophet (saw)’s demise. It was not long after this sad event that he also had to endure the loss of his mother Fatimah (as). It was from then on that Imam Hassan (as) was put under direct supervision by his father, Imam Ali (as). With such dignified personalities in the house, Imam Hassan (as) grew up with the qualities of an Imam.

Imam Hassan (as) also had witnessed how the enemies of Allah treated his family. He was there when the Holy Prophet (saw) was accused of being senile after being denied a piece of paper and pen that he requested. He also witnessed the events surrounding the usurpation of his mother’s inheritance, the land of Fadak. If this was not enough, he had to endure the usurpation of his father’s Caliphate for up to 25 years.

These tragedies Imam Hassan (as) had to experience, coupled with the guidance of the Prophet (s), Fatimah (as) and Ali (as), gave him incredible strength  and taught him how one can joyfully live a life for Allah SWT, most Justice, Most Merciful.