Imam Hasan (as)

Basic Details

Birth & Early Life

Imam Hasan (as) was born on the 15th of Ramadhan, 3 A.H. in Madinah. He was the first child born in the family of Ali (as) and Fatema (s.a.). The news of his birth made the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) very happy. According to Islamic tradition, he (s.a.w.a.) himself recited the Azaan and Iqaamah in the ears of his grandson and named him 'Hasan'. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) performed his 'Aqeeqah on the seventh day — a holy practice that is still prevalent among Muslims.

Imam Hasan (as) lived for nearly eight years with the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and his mother Janabe Fatema (s.a.). The immense love and affection of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) for Imam Hasan (as) was evident for all. Right from the beginning of his childhood, Imam (as) gained education and training in the house of revelation. He would listen to the sayings of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) in the Masjid everyday and repeat them for his respected mother (s.a.) at home. His mother (s.a.) used to be delighted with the precision of these narrations.

After the death of his grandfather and mother, Imam (as) lived with his father for thirty years. He (as) stayed in the company of his father and in the period of Caliphate of his father, he was considered amongst his close advisors. Numerous advices given by Imam Ali (as) to his son are an indication of their close proximity.

Valour & the Battlefields

During the eleven months of the Battle of Siffeen, Imam Hasan (as) with sensational speeches would at all times exhort and encourage the army of Imam Ali (as). He (as) played a vital role in boosting the morale of the army.

His unmatched valour was witnessed in the battles of Jamal, Siffeen and Naharwan. He was always seen in the forefront in the battlelines and none else was able to surpass him (as). In the battle of Siffeen, he showed such selflessness and fought so bravely that Ali (as) had to send a group of his companions to stop Imam Hasan (as) and Imam Husain (as) from fighting — fearing the termination of the progeny of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) upon their death in the battlefield.

The Caliphate & the Peace Treaty

At the age of 37, Imam Hasan (as) became the divine Caliph after the martyrdom of Imam Ali (as). The biggest obstacle during his rule was the government of Moaviyah in Syria. After the battle of Siffeen, which Moaviyah won by deceit, and after engineering the assassination of Imam Ali (as), he became an absolute monarch.

The first step Imam Hasan (as) took was to mobilise an army to fight Moaviyah. However, the materialistic people and those with weak faith refused to support Imam (as) wholeheartedly. Moaviyah, with his cunningness, coerced and bribed the commanders of Imam (as). In one instance, Obaidullah Ibn Abbas — the commander of a 12,000 strong army — escaped the battlefield along with 8,000 soldiers after receiving a million dirhams from Moaviyah.

A rumour was spread by Moaviyah among the soldiers of Imam Hasan (as) that Imam (as) had signed a peace treaty. The soldiers attacked his camp, plundered his property, and were on the verge of assassinating him. When Imam (as) moved to launch an attack on Syria, a Khareji attacked him on the way causing severe injury.

Following the footsteps of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) at Hudaibiyyah, Imam Hasan (as) entered into a peace treaty. By signing the peace treaty, Imam Hasan (as) dealt the greatest blow to Moaviyah — he was certain that Moaviyah would not act upon the clauses of his own imposed treaty, thus exposing his true nature to the Muslim world.

Generosity & Character

The ways and manners of Imam's (as) life are illuminative and educative for us. Food and wealth were distributed to the poor and needy from his (as) house. In spite of his honourable family background, he (as) accepted the invitation of poor people and sat in their company to eat food on the ground — thus fighting against the social norms of class distinction.

He showed that Islamic laws do not recognize aristocracy and class distinction. The noblest individual i.e. Imam (as) would sit next to the lowest person of society, thus practically demonstrating that the only source of virtue and excellence in Islam was piety.

He was often insulted and offended by foolish and ignorant people but he never showed any reaction to their insults. Rather, when the person finished his abusive speech, Imam (as) would invite him to his house, inquire about his difficulties and try to solve them. He (as) would show such humility that in the end the person would seek forgiveness and testify that Imam (as) is the true successor of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), whose excellent character is endorsed by Allah:

— "And most surely you conform yourself to sublime morality." (Surah Al-Qalam, 68:4)

Worldly Life in the Eyes of Imam (as)

Imam Hasan (as) gave his entire wealth in the way of Allah. He distributed half of his wealth three times among the needy and the poor. This great bounty can be acquired only if a person has wealth but is not enslaved by its love. "Abstinence" (Zuhd) does not mean to leave the world. Rather it means not to love it madly. Islam condemns such love of the world which makes a person blind to the prohibited and the permissible and encourages a person to disobey his Creator.

Worship & Supplication

The supplications and worship of Imam (as) were renowned. He (as) performed pilgrimage to the House of Allah twenty-five times. In most of these holy journeys, though having a horse and a well equipped caravan, he walked (at times even barefooted) the distance from Madinah to Makkah — approximately 600 km.

When he (as) performed ablution, he shivered and his face turned pale. When he (as) reached the entrance of the mosque, he (as) would pray:

"O Allah! Your guest has come to Your door. O the One who Obliges, a sinner has come to You. Then forgive my evil deeds with Your beauty, O Noble One."

This should be guidance to all believers about the etiquette of worshipping Allah.

Martyrdom

Moaviyah did not fulfil any condition of the peace accord. By appointing Yazid (l.a.) as his successor, he openly contravened the most important clause of the treaty. He started exploring possibilities for assassinating Imam Hasan (as). On many occasions his agents unsuccessfully tried to poison Imam (as). Finally, he took help of the treacherous wife of Imam (as), Ju'da bint Ash'ath Ibn Qays al-Kindi. He promised her a hundred thousand dirhams and marriage with Yazid, if she poisoned her husband.

On the 28th of Safar, 50 A.H. — coinciding with the death anniversary of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) — Imam (as) at the age of 47 years was martyred in Madinah. In accordance with his last wishes, the holy body of Imam (as) was taken to the tomb of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) for circumambulation, but Ayesha, due to her past malice, prevented them from doing so. Finally, the holy body of Imam (as) was buried in Jannatul Baqi. Until 1344 A.H. a tomb existed over his holy grave, which was razed to the ground by the Wahabis under the influence of the Saudi government. Even today, millions of devotees visit the site, keeping his memory alive.

Wisdom & Sayings

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