'They are people with high status prestige' (qasida 15:48)

This is the motto of this section, which is for talking about the companions and beloved ones to our prophet Mohammad [PPBUH].

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Imam al-Sibt [the grandson]

Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi-Taleb

He is (one of the masters of the young men of the Paradise), Abo-Mohammad al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abo-Talib al-Hashemi al-Qurashi [AAH]. His father is the Prophet’s cousin [AAH] who was raised by the Prophet, the gate of the city of knowledge, the prince of the believers, the fourth of the righteous caliphs, and one of the ten men who were given the good tidings of the Paradise. His mother is the master of the women of the worlds and the Prophet’s [PPBUH]apple of the eye; Fatima az-Zahra' [AAH].

He was born in Madina, in the middle of Ramadan, in the third year of Hijra. The Prophet [PPBUH] called for prayer in his ears [Azan], then chewed a date and put some of it, with his finger, in his mouth. He [PPBUH] sacrificed a lamb for him on the seventh day of his birth. He also told them to give silver as a charity which is equal to the weight of his hair. He called him al-Hasan, after his father had called him “Harb”, and this name was not common among Arabs at that time. He is the first one to be called “al-Hasan”, and he had some titles, such as “al-Mujtaba” (or the chosen) and az-Zaki "the pure". Al-Hasan [AAH] was the oldest of his brothers and sisters.

The Prophet [PPBUH] loved him so much, as he used to kiss his throat, lick his tongue, hug him, and tickle him. Sometimes, while he was prostrating in prayer, al-Hasan would ride on his back. The Prophet would wait for him and prolong his prostrating for his sake. The Prophet said: (O, Allah, I love al-Hasan, so love him and love whoever loves him!), to indicate how much he loves him, narrated by al-Bokhari. Al-Hasan was raised in the house of the prophethood, and he was so connected to the Prophet. Al-Bara' ibn Azeb said: "I saw the Prophet [PPBUH] putting al-Hasan on his shoulders, and said: (O, Allah, I love al-Hasan, so love him!). 

The Prophet [PPBUH] used to play with him, greet him and ask about him. Abo-Huraira [AAH] said: "I was with the Prophet [PPBUH] in the market, then we left to the yard of sayyda Fatima. We didn’t find anyone over there. The Prophet sat, and then, al-Hasan came to him. They hugged each other and the Prophet [PPBUH] said (O, Allah, I love him, so love him!)

Al-Bokhary narrated that Abo-Bakra said: "I saw the Prophet [PPBUH] on his pulpit, and al-Hasan ibn Ali was beside him. He was looking at the people one time and at al-Hasan the other time. He, then, said: (My son, al-Hasan, is a master. May Allah make him the cause of a reconciliation between two big groups of Muslims). 

Al-Hasan looked so much like the Prophet [PPBUH], as narrated by al-Bokhari and Muslim in a Hadith by Abi-Johifa.

There are many Hadith about the preference of Imam al-Hasan and his brother, Imam al-Husein. Abo-Huraira [AAH] said: "Once, the Prophet [PPBUH] went out accompanied by al-Hasan and al-Husein. They were sitting on his shoulders. While he was kissing each of them, until he reached us then he said (whoever loves them, loves me and whoever hates them, hates me). 

Imam al-Hasan was raised in the Prophet’s house [PPBUH], so he acquired his politeness and knowledge. It was narrated that once the Prophet [PPBUH] saw him putting a date of charity in his mouth. He took it from him and told him that the members of household of the Prophet were not allowed to receive charity. About him and about the rest of Al-al-Bait came the Quranic verse; [Surely Allah desires but to remove from you all uncleanness, O Folk of the Household, and purify you completely]. al-Ahzab 33: 34.

The Prophet [PPBUH] passed away, when al-Hasan was under 8 years old, and his mother died six months after the Prophet. These two events had a great impact on his character but on all Muslims. Al-Hasan witnessed the caliphate of Abo-Bakr, Omar and Osman before his father‘s. He witnessed many of the great companions of the Prophet and he learnt from their politeness. He also witnessed many events. 

Abo-Bakr [AAH] was fond of al-Hasan. Aqba ibn al-Harith narrated that once, after the death of the Prophet [PPBUH], Abo-Bakr prayed al-asr and went out with Ali [AAH]. While they were walking, they saw al-Hasan playing with some kids. Abo-Bakr carried al-Hasan on his shoulders and said "I swear he looks like the Prophet, not like his father" and Imam Ali was laughing. 

Omar [AAH] was respecting, honoring, loving and prefering him to himself and his family. When he established an official registry for the armies and soldiers, he assigned to al-Hasan and al-Husein, same as the people of Badr; 5 thousand. His son asked him to take as much as he gave them. Omar replied: "Do you have a father like theirs, a mother like theirs or a grandfather like theirs?". 

Osman [AAH], who was called the one with the two lights, also loved al-Hasan and al-Husein. When he was under siege, and al-Hasan [AAH] was with him. Al-Hasan was by his door, defending him, until his face was filled with blood. Osman was worried about him and begged him to leave so as to spare him and to please Ali.

As for Ali [AAH], he was so fond of al-Hasan, greatly honoring, and glorifying him. He once asked al-Hasan to give a speech so that he would listen to him. Al-Hasan replied that he would be embarrassed to give a speech in front of him.  Ali hid where al-Hasan could not see him. Then, al-Hasan gave the people an eloquent speech. When people left, Ali recited [A race, co-related with one another. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing] Al Umran 3:34.

He witnessed his father [AAH] being recognized as caliph and the consequent important incidents, such as the battle of the camel and the battle of Sefin. Ibn al-Zubir used to say: "No woman could give birth to someone like al-Hasan". Al-Hasan [AAH] used to stay in the Prophet’s [PPBUH] mosque from dawn to sunrise, talking to heads of people, then go to the Mothers of the believers and finally go home.

He had 15 boys and 8 girls. Among his sons were Zaid, al-Hasan al-Mothanny, Omr, al-Qasem, Abdullah, Abdelrahman, al-Hasan al-Muthallath, and Talha. His grandchildren were from al-Hasan and Zaid [AAH]. 

His Generosity and Worship:

Al-Hasan [AAH] was pious, brave and patient. He was pious enough to leave the caliphate and the worldly life for the sake of Allah. He was generous enough to give half of his money as a charity three times and to give all his money two times. It was narrated that he went to Hajj 25 times, walking. Mohamed ibn Ali narrated that al-Hasan said: "I feel shy to meet Allah and have not walked to his House". The Quran always kept him company, day and night. 

Imam al-Hasan [AAH] was very generous. It was narrated that he once heard someone asking Allah for ten thousand, he went home and sent it to him.  It was also narrated that he saw a black boy sharing a loaf of bread with a dog.  He asked the boy why he did this. The boy replied: "I feel shy to eat without feeding it". Al-Hasan asked him to stay where he was, until he came back. Al-Hasan went to the young boy's master and bought the boy and the garden he was in. He freed him and gave him the garden as a gift. The boy said: "O, Master, I give the garden as a gift back to he who gave it to me!".

Al-Hasan [AAH] always had his appetite under control. He never craved for something he didn’t have nor eat much of what he had.  He was never angry and he never complained.

His narration of Hadith:

Imam al-Hasan narrated Hadith from his grandfather [PPBUH], his father, his brother; al-Husein [AAT], and some of the Prophet’s companions. He is the one whom the Prophet [PPBUH] taught the famous prayer “O, Allah, guide me among those whom you have guided … etc”. One of al-Hasan’s famous Hadith is the Hadith about the Prophet’s [PPBUH] attributes. 

Swearing allegiance to Imam al-Hasan as Caliph:

When [AAH] his father died, the people of Iraq and Kharasan swore their allegiance to Imam al-Hasan as Caliph. His caliphate continued six months. War was about to take place between him and Mu'awiya, if it were not for his wisdom. After negotiations and correspondences, he agreed to give up the Caliphate to Muawya, in order for all Muslims to have only one Caliph and to put an end to bloodshed. This happened in the middle of Jumad-ul-Awwal, 41 years after the hijra.  This year was known as "the year of the grouping", because a union between Muslims was achieved. Therefore, the prophecy of Mohammad [PPBUH] was realized, as he reconciled between two big groups of Muslims. Imam al-Hasan said: "I do not like being the Muslim caliph, if one drop of blood is shed for it". 

His Death:

After reconciliation, he lived in Madina where he was born. One day, he saw in his dream that "say Allah is One" was written between his eyes. He was very happy with this dream. Sayed ibn al-Mosaib knew about the dream and said that it meant that he would die soon. Al-Hasan was poisoned to death soon after. In his last moments, his brother, al-Husein, came to him, asking about who poisoned him in order to seek  revenge. Al-Hasan said to al-Husein: "O My brother, Life is mortal. Leave him until we meet in front of Allah" and he refused to tell al-Husein who he was. 

The Prophet said about him and his brother: (they are the masters of the young men in Paradise and their parents are better than them).  In the Prophet’s [PPBUH] elevation to the heavens, he saw it written in the throne’s light that al-Hasan is the lantern of guidance and the ship of safety. 

He died in Madina, when he was 49 (some say 47 in the year 50 H).  He stated in his will that he wanted to be buried with his grandfather, in the room of Aisha - PBUH, and if this would cause a war, he would be buried in al-Baqi‘. He was buried in al-Baqi’ beside his mother, Fatma al-Zahraa [AAH]. 

Edited by Samir Gamal

Translated by Nahed

Whoever wants to read more about the great companions, can browse the companions pages in al-Ahbab site.

Editors Team