A Man Qualified for
Tough Missions
In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, the Merciful
Allah says in His Glorious Book: “Allah’s wish is but to remove
uncleanness far from you, O folk of the Household and cleanse you with a
through cleansing.” This Ayat refers to Ahl-al-Bayt (members of the
household) who are Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn (as) while they were
with the Messenger, covered by the same cover, united by the same
religion, and honoured by their love to Allah (swt), their commitment to
His worshippers and their strive to serve His Message. The Ayat affirms
the infallibility of Ahl-al-Bayt (as) as they were purified from doing
or saying anything wrong.
Raised by The Prophet
One of the members of Ahl-al-Bayt (as) is Imam Hasan bin Ali bin Abi
Talib (as) whose death anniversary is on the 28th of the month of Safar.
He was the first-born son of Ali (as) and Fatima (as) after the
immigration to Medina and he is the first grandson of the Prophet (p.).
He enjoyed along with his brother Imam Husayn (as) the best upbringing a
human could ever have, because it did not only provide love and physical
care but it also nurtured the mind and the soul.
The Messenger (p.) raised his grandsons as he raised both their father
and mother before them… Thus, they were fortunate enough to enjoy the
care and love of the Messenger twice, once directly and the other by
inheritance… They lived their early childhood with the Messenger (p.)
And it was the first time the Muslims saw the Messenger playing with
children, something he did not do with any of his children before… He
used to carry them on his back and play with them… He used to tell
Muslims that he loves them and used to pray for them saying “O, God, I
love them and I ask You to love them and love those who love them”.
They also enjoyed the love and care of their parents at home. It was an
upbringing of nobleness and purity under the sponsorship of the Prophet
(p.) who planted in them all the seeds of spiritual values that were
nurtured and grown by Imam Ali and Fatima Al-Zahra (as). Imam Hasan (as)
lived all the events, and tragedies his mother faced following the death
of Muhammad (p.).
He kept them in his mind but they did not fill him with despair. Rather
he became aware of the flows and shortcomings of Muslims who lived at
that time. After the death of his mother he was taken care of by his
father who filled his mind and that of his brother with knowledge and
filled their hearts with love for Allah, the Prophet and all people. He
also taught them that they should dedicate their lives to serve the
message.
Thus Imam Hasan (as) grew up to be as if he were a copy of the
Messenger. For it was said that he looked like the Messenger in both his
looks and his manners. He also resembled Imam Ali (as) because the
Commander of the Faithful gave Hasan (as) all of his traits. Thus he
grew up to be strong in his faith in God and knowledgeable of His
message. He was also so firm in his stands that he was one of those who
talked with Abu Zhar when he was exiled although the caliph banned the
Muslims from saying farewell to him.
A Man Qualified for Tough Missions:
Thus, when Imam Ali (as) became the caliph and was opposed by some of
the people who were sick in their hearts, he sent his son to the city of
Kufa to solve this problem. He proved to be very wise and firm at the
same time. Moreover the speeches and sermons he gave there were among
the most pious and guiding speeches.
We also saw him helping his father in all his affairs and fighting all
his wars and battles… Imam Ali used to refer to him so that the people
will learn that he was the Imam to follow him. When Imam Ali (a.s) was
martyred Imam Hasan (as) became the Imam by God’s command as it was
evident by the saying of His prophet: “Al –Hasan and Al-Husayn are Imams
whether they chose to stand (act) or sit (not act), and “Al –Hasan and
Al–Husayn are the masters of the youth of Heaven” .Who among all Muslims
of that age was awarded this medal, especially in view of the fact that
Muhammad (p) does not follow his own passions? When he says something
then surely it was revealed to him from God, especially when he is
taking about such a significant issue as a rank in Heaven. Who else
besides Hasan (as) and Husayn (as) were awarded such a medal by a man
who says nothing but truth and who is believed in everything he says.
But at that time, the Muslim community was plagued by various sorts of
complications: intimidations, temptations and fanaticism as a result of
the schemes and plots of Muawiah who managed to destabilize the rule of
Imam Ali (as) by his various wars, whether actual fighting or the wars
of deception and money. After Imam Ali’s death, Muawiah continued these
wars with Imam Hasan (as) and was able to destabilize his army, for he
managed to buy some of heads of tribes and other weak people. Some of
those wrote to Muawiah saying: “If we want, we can hand you Al-Hasan
(as), dead or alive” .In this period the Imam survived several attempts
on his life. Thus, the Imam studied the situation and concluded that
circumstances were not favourable to continue to fight with such a
divided army. For it will only lead to the victory of Muawiah, who would
take advantage of such a victory to eliminate all leaders of opposition
of the companions of Imam Ali, leaving no voice that will rise to stand
for what is right. He also wanted to pave the way for Imam Hussein’s
movement. For Imam Husayn’s revolution is an echo of Hasan’s truce,
since it was by no means a recognition of the legitimacy of Muawiah’s
rule, but a truce in which he imposed his own conditions. One of these
conditions was that he will be the next caliph once Muawiah dies.
Needless to say that the Umayyad ruler did not respect these conditions,
and planned to assassinate Imam Hasan (as) to ensure that his son,
Yazid, will succeed him. He seduced Hasan’s wife with a large sum of
money and promised to marry her with Yazid. She gave the Imam some
poisoned food and he was martyred.
Concern for the Welfare of the Nation:
The Imam wanted not to shed any blood in his funeral. He knew that the
Umayyad will not allow his body to be buried near his grandfather; that
is why he told his brother Husayn (as) in his will that he wanted to be
buried at Baqi’, and expressed his wish that he does not want any blood
shed at his funeral.
But the Imam (as) wanted his body to visit the prophet’s grave before he
was taken to his final destination.
This was opposed by Aisha and some of her followers who started to cry:
Hasan (as) would not be buried with his grandfather. But when Banu
Hashim tried to fight them, Imam Husayn (as) stopped them, following his
brother’s will.
The Role Model
The Imam was a role model in his manners, generosity and he was greatly
respected by all his cotemporaries. He preformed pilgrimage on foot 25
times. He was also a very charitable man whose money was dedicated for
the poor and the needy. Moreover, he was also a great speaker who used
to take every chance he got, to guide people in his sermons, speeches
and sayings for the good and the cause of Allah.
In our meeting today, I would like to take a speech by Hasan (as) that
gives us the basic components that a good personality of a pious
believer is composed of. The Imam, describing a pious brother of his
said: He was in my view one of the greatest people. What made him such
was above all that this life did not mean much to him. He did not
consider the pleasures of this world as his first concern in a way that
he will sell himself for these pleasures… His only concern was the
hereafter and if this world meant anything it was to do good to ensure
his place in the other world. He did not complain… He was patient when
he encountered difficulties, He used to spend most of his time in
silence but this is not because he was unable to speak, but because he
decided not speak unless it was necessary, but when he spoke he would
outdo all others… He used not to say what he did not do or do what he
did not say. If he had to chose between two things he did not know which
was nearer to God, he used to leave out what he thought was nearer to
his desires. He did not to blame anyone for doing anything that there
could be an excuse for. Describing “council”, the Imam said: “If people
debate the issue among them they will surely find the right way”. The
Holy Quran says that Allah wants His messenger; despite the fact the he
is infallible to consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when
thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Allah also described the
community of believers as one {whose affairs are a matter of counsel}.
Some traditions have it: “He who consults with others shares them their
minds”. The Imam (as) also wanted the people to be grateful for Allah’s
grace’s because when you are thankful, Allah will increase what He
bestows on you. Moreover, you should also thank other people when they
do good because this will encourage them to be more charitable; that is
why he says: It is mean not to be grateful.
He also said: “He who wants to be powerful and respected without being a
member of a tribe or a ruler should move from the disgrace of disobeying
Allah to the greatness of obeying Him”. Your obedience to Allah gives
you pride and respect. His nephew, Imam Zayn Al-Abideen (as), reaffirms
the same meaning in his supplication when he says: “O God prevent me
from thinking that those who are poor are low or those who are rich are
honourable, for the honourable is he who is honoured by obeying you…”
Praise be Imam Hasan (as) the day he was born, the day he was martyred
and the day he will be brought back to life. O God let us be of his
consistent followers in this world and of those whom he will recede for
in the Hereafter… You are Hearing and answering.
Walhamdo Lillahi Rabbil Aalameen |