Imam
Hassan (AS)
His Birth and
blessings
The 2nd Imam after
Imam Ali(a.s.) was his son Imam Hasan(a.s.), the son of the mistress of
the women of the worlds, Bibi Fatima(s.a.), daughter of Prophet
Muhammad(pbuh&hf). Imam Hasan(a.s.)'s kunya was Abu Muhammad. He was
born in Medina, on the night of the 15th day of Ramadan, three years
after the hijra (624 AD).
When Imam Hasan(a.s.)
was born, the Prophet(pbuh&hf) took him and said the adhan (call to
prayer) in his right ear, and said the iqama (words similar to the adhan)
in his left ear. Then he sacrificed a ram for him (in the ceremony of
aqiqa). Then he shaved his hair. He (i.e., the Prophet(pbuh&hf)) gave
silver equal to his hair. So the weight of Imam Hasan(a.s.)'s hair was a
dirham and some of silver. Then he ordered his hair to perfumed. So the
aqiqa and giving alms as equal as the weight of hair have become Sunna
(an act of the Prophet(pbuh&hf)).
Bibi Fatima(s.a.)
brought her two sons, Imam Hasan(a.s.) and Imam Hussain(a.s.) to the
Apostle of God(pbuh&hf) at the time when he was suffering from the
sickness from which he died. "Apostle of God," she said, "these are your
two (grand) sons. Give them something as an inheritance". "As for Hasan,"
he replied, "he has my form and my nobility. As for Hussain, he has my
generosity and my bravery."
His other Names
al-Sibt, al-Sayyid,
al-Zaki, al-Mujtaba, al-Taqi.
His Wives
Imam Hasan(a.s.)
married Umm Ishaq bint (the daughter of) Talha b. `Ubayd Allah, Hafsa
bint (the daughter of) 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abu Bakr, Hind bint (the
daughter of) Suhayl b. `Amru, and Ju'da bint (the daughter of ) al-Ash'ath
b. Qays, whom Mu'awiya tempted to kill Imam Hasan(a.s.). So she killed
him with poison.
His Children
Imam Hasan(a.s.) had
fifteen children, both male and female: Zayd, Imam Hasan(a.s.), `Amru,
al-Qasim, `Abd Allah, `Abd al-Rahman, Imam Hasan(a.s.) al-Athram, and
Talha, Umm Imam Hasan(a.s.), Umm al-Husayn, Fatima, Umm Salama, Ruqayya,
Umm `Abd Allah, and Fatima.
His
Characteristics
No one was more like
the Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, than Imam
Hasan(a.s.) in form, manner, and nobility.
Imam Hasan(a.s.) has
been describe as : "He had a white, reddish face. He had black eyes,
smooth cheeks, thick beard, and curly, plentiful hair. His neck was as
white as a jug of silver. His body was good. He had large shoulders, and
big fleshy bones. He was of medium height; neither long nor short. He
was handsome; the best of all people in face".
His Worship
Imam Hasan(a.s.)
performed the hajj on foot twenty-five times. When he mentioned death,
he wept. When he mentioned the grave, he wept. When he mentioned the
resurrection, he wept. When he mentioned crossing the sirat (a kind of
bridge which only the righteous can cross on the road to Paradise), he
wept. When he mentioned the standing before Allah(swt), he fainted. When
he mentioned Paradise and Fire, he shock as the sick person did. So he
asked Allah(swt) to make him enter Paradise and to protect him from
Fire.
When Imam Hasan(a.s.)
performed an ablution for prayers, he shock all over and his face became
pale. He gave people from his property twice in the way of Allah(swt).
He mentioned Allah(swt) in all conditions whether pleasant or otherwise.
They (the
historians) said: "He (Imam Hasan(a.s.)) was the best of all people in
worshipping Allah(swt) and refraining from the life in this world."
His Ethics
Imam Hasan(a.s.)'s
ethics were excellent examples for people. So everyone respected him.
Everyone loved him when he associated with him. When his friend or his
enemy heard him talking or delivering a speech, he was sorry that he
(Imam Hasan(a.s.)) would end his talking or his speech.
Muhammad b. Ishaq
said: "After Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, no one
had a high social position as Imam Hasan(a.s.) had. (Mats) were spread
out at the door of his house. When he came out and sat, the street was
over crowded. So no one of Allah's creatures could pass to show respect
for him. When he knew that, he stood up and entered his house. So the
people could pass."
Although Imam
Hasan(a.s.) had a high social rank, he was kind to people. One day he
passed by poor persons. The poor persons were sitting on the ground.
There were pieces of bread before them. They were picking up the pieces
of bread and eating them. When they saw Imam Hasan(a.s.) they said to
him: "Son of the Apostle of Allah, come to lunch!" So he dismounted his
camel and said: "Indeed, Allah does not love the proud." He began eating
with them. Then he invited them and gave them food and clothes.
The following are
some examples of Imam Hasan(a.s.)'s generosity: A man came to him and
asked him for a need. He (Imam Hasan(a.s.)) said to the man: "Write your
need on a piece of paper and submit it to me." The man submitted his
need to him. He (Imam Hasan(a.s.)) doubled the man's need. So some of
those who were sitting with Imam Hasan(a.s.) said to him: "Son of the
Apostle of Allah, the blessing of the piece of paper was great for the
man." So Imam Hasan(a.s.) said: "Its blessing for us is greater, for
Allah has made us appropriate for doing good. Do you not know that doing
good should be optional, namely without request. As for him whom you
give after the request, you give him after he has lost face. He may
spend his night restless and sleepless. He rocks between despair and
hope. He does not know whether he will face a sad answer or a glad
success. He comes to you while he shakes all over and his heart is
afraid (of you). Then if you met his need through losing face, that
(losing face) would be greater than what he has obtained from your
favor."
Imam Hasan(a.s.),
gave a poet some money. So one of those who were sitting with him said
to him: "Glory be to Allah! Do you give the poet who disobeys the
Merciful (Allah) and tells lies?" Imam Hasan(a.s.), peace be on him,
said: "Servant of Allah, the best of your money is what you spend to
protect your dignity. It is an act of kindness to avoid the evil."
A Bedouin came to
Imam Hasan(a.s.) and asked him for a need. So Imam Hasan(a.s.) said:
"Give him all the money in the safe." There were twenty thousand dirhams
in the safe. All the money was given to the Bedouin, so he said: "My
master, do you not let me tell you about my need and praise you?" Imam
Hasan(a.s.) began saying: Our gifts are many, The hopeful enjoy them,
Our selves give generously before the request, For fear of losing face.
One day Imam
Hasan(a.s.) saw a black boy. The black boy was eating a piece of bread
and giving a piece of bread to his dog. So Imam Hasan(a.s.) said to him:
"What has made you do this?" "I feel shame of my dog when I eat and do
not feed him," answered the black boy. Then Imam Hasan(a.s.) said to
him: "Do not leave your place till I come to you." At that moment Imam
Hasan(a.s.) went to the black boy's master. He bought the black boy and
the wall (the garden) where he lived. He freed the black boy and made
him possess the wall.
His Outstanding
Merits
Imam Hasan(a.s.) is
the Lord of the youth of Heaven. He was one of the two persons in whom
the progeny of the Apostle of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family,
was limited. He was one of the four persons through whom the
Prophet(pbuh&hf) made the contest of prayer with the Christians of
Najran. He was one of the five persons whom the Prophet(pbuh&hf) covered
with his cloak. He was one of the twelve Imams whose obedience Allah(swt)
made incumbent on people. He was among those who were purified from sins
as the Qur'an says. He was among those whose love Allah(swt) made reward
for the message. He was among those whom the Apostle of Allah(pbuh&hf)
made one of the two valuable things (thaqalayn). Thus whoever cleaves to
them does not go astray. He was the plant of the sweet basil of the
Apostle of Allah(pbuh&hf). The Prophet(pbuh&hf) loved him and asked
Allah(swt) to love those who love him.
Imam
Hasan(a.s.)'s Succession to the Caliphate and his Abdication
Imam Hasan(a.s.) was
the testamentary trustee (wasi) of Imam Ali(a.s.) over his family, his
children and his followers. He bequeathed him to look after his position
and (the position of) his taxes (sadaqat) and he wrote him a covenant
(of succession) which is well-known. His testamentary trusteeship is
obvious in terms of the outlines of religion, the essential
characteristic of wisdom and good-breeding. A great number of scholars
have reported this trusteeship and many of the men of understanding have
realised the truth of this through his (attitude to) the world.
When Imam Ali(a.s.)
died, Imam Hasan(a.s.) addressed the people. He reminded them of his
right (to authority). The followers of his father pledged allegiance to
him in terms of fighting those he fought and making peace with those
with whom he made peace. He assumed the succession in the best manner
though the time of his succession was short. Also he made a Peace Treaty
with Mu'awiya on the 15th of Jamadi al-Awwal in the year 41 A.H.,
according to the most correct reports. So he was able to protect the
religion and to spare the blood of the believers. In the Peace Treaty,
he followed the teachings, which he reported on the authority of his
father on the authority of his grandfather, may Allah bless him and his
family. Apparently, his succession was seven months and twenty days.
After the Peace
Treaty had been concluded, Imam Hasan(a.s.) came back to Medina to stay
there. So his house became as a second haram (a sacred sanctuary) for
people to visit. Through these two sacred places (Imam Hasan(a.s.)'s
house and Medina), Imam Hasan(a.s.), became the rise of guidance. He was
the stronghold of knowledge and shelter of Muslims. Meanwhile there were
many knowledgeable people all around him. Anyhow such knowledgeable
people were the students of Imam Hussain(a.s.). So they learned
knowledge from him and reported it on his authority. Allah(swt) granted
Imam Hasan(a.s.) plentiful knowledge and a high social position in the
hearts of Muslims. Thus he (Imam Hasan(a.s.)) was able to guide the
community, to lead Muslims spiritually, to correct the Islamic beliefs,
and to unify the people of monotheism.
His Death
Imam Hasan(a.s.) was
given poison several times. When Imam Hasan(a.s.) felt the danger in the
last attempt, he said to his brother Imam Hussain(a.s.): "My brother, I
am leaving you and meeting my Lord. I have been given poison to drink,
and have spewed my liver into the basin. I am aware of the person who
poisoned me and from where I have been made a subject to this deceitful
action. I will oppose him before Allah, the Great and Almighty." Then he
said: "Bury me with my grand father, the Apostle of Allah(pbuh&hf). For
I am worthier of him and his family' (than others). If they prevent you
from doing so, then I make you swear by the relation which Allah(swt)
has made close to you and by the blood relation to the Apostle of
Allah(pbuh&hf) not to shed even your blood into the cupping-glass in
(carrying out) my command, till we meet the Apostle of Allah(pbuh&hf) to
oppose the people before him and to tell him about what we have suffered
from them."
Then Imam Hasan(a.s.)
made his testamentary bequests to his family and his children. He gave
Imam Hussain(a.s.) his heirlooms and the things which the Commander of
the faithful (Imam Ali(a.s.)) had bequeathed to him when he had made him
his successor, had declared him worthy to occupy his position, and had
indicated to his Shi'a (his followers) that he (Imam Hasan(a.s.)) was
his successor. Then Imam Hasan(a.s.) died on the 28th of Safar in the
year 50 A.H.
Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani
said: "Mu'awiya wanted the people to pledge allegiance to his son Yazid.
However, the existence of Imam Hasan(a.s.) b. 'Ali and of Sa'd b. Abu
Waqqas troubled him very much. So he gave them poison to drink, and they
died of it."
The abominable
disasters of this kind shook the conscience of the Muslim countries. So
there were various revolutions throughout history. In this connection
Allah(swt), the Exalted, says: "And they who act unjustly shall know to
what final place of turning they shall turn back."
His Burial
Sibt b. al-Jawzi
reported on the authority of b. Sa'd on the authority of al-Waqidi, who
said: "When Imam Hasan(a.s.) was about to die, he said: `Bury me beside
my father.' He meant the Apostle of Allah(pbuh&hf). However, banu (the
sons of ) Umayya and Marwan b. al-Hakam and Said b. al-As, who was the
governor over Medina, prevented him." Ibn Sa'd said: "Among them was `A'isha,
who said: `No one is buried beside the Apostle of Allah.'"
Abu al-Faraj al-Amawi
al-Isfahani reported on the authority of Yahya b. Imam Hasan(a.s.), who
said: "I heard Ali b. Tahir b. Zayd say: `When they wanted to bury Imam
Hasan(a.s.), she (`A'isha) mounted a mule and asked the help of banu
(the sons of) Umayya, Marwan, those who were there from them (banu
Umayya) and from their servants. So someone said: `One day (she was) on
a mule, and one day (she was) on a camel.'"
Al-Mas'udi has
mentioned that `A'isha mounted a gray mule and led the Umayyads to
declare a second battle against the members of the House (Ahl al-Bayt(a.s.)).
He (al-Mas'udi) said: "So al-Qasim b. Muhammad b. Abu Bakr came to her
(`A'isha) and said: `Aunt, we, have not washed our heads since the
Battle of the Camel. Do you want people to call this day the Battle of
the Gray Mule?' So she came back."
Many people gathered
together with Imam Hussain(a.s.) and said to him: "Leave us with the
children of Marwan. By Allah(swt), they are, with us, nothing but an
itching of the head." Imam Hussain(a.s.) said: `By Allah(swt), if there
had been no injunction to me from Imam Hasan(a.s.) to prevent bloodshed
and that I should not even pour blood into a cupping-glass in (carrying
out) his command, you would have known how the swords of Allah(swt)
would have taken their toll from you. You have broken the agreement
which was made between you and us. You have ignored the conditions which
we made with you for ourselves." Here Imam Hussain(a.s.) reminded them
of the conditions of the Peace Treaty.
Then they went on
with (the body of) Imam Hasan(a.s.) and they buried him in (the cemetery
of) al-Baqi beside his grandmother, Fatima bint-e-Asad(a.s.) bin Hashim
bin Abd Manaf.
In his book `al-Isaba',
Ahmad Shahab al-Din al-`Asqalani said: Dawud b. Sinan informed us:
Tha'laba b. Abu Malik told us: "I (Tha'laba b. Abu Malik) saw Imam
Hasan(a.s.) on the day when he died and was buried in (the cemetery of)
al-Baqi`. I saw that if a needle had been thrown away in (the cemetery
of) al-Baqi`, it (the needle) would have not fallen but on the head of a
person." |