IMAM HASAN (A-S)
*A Purified and Infallible vicegerent of ALLAH (swt). *
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more information about Islam*
*By: Brother Ali Ja'afary.*
*بِسمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَن الرَّحيم*
"In the Name of ALLAH the Merciful, the Compassionate"
*INTRODUCTION: *
As history has often taught us, there are many lessons in life that come
about in important events. Some events live in the hearts and minds of
nations for century after century, and some very significant and most
important events will live in the hearts and minds of mankind until
Doomsday. Usually these kinds of events have either a very intellectual,
divine and spiritual essence to them, or they are of inhumane atrocities and
tragedies, that shocked the human race and many of the most remembered
events contain both.
*ALLAH (swt) says:* *"In their histories there is certainly a lesson for men
of understanding". **(The Holy Qur'an 12 Yusuf-111).*
If we examine the straight Path of the infallibles and purified ones among
human beings, we quickly realize that their lives contained multitudes of
lessons for humans who yearn to be close to their LORD ALLAH (swt). The
stories of the lives of all our Prophets (a-s) are perfect examples of this;
in fact it is by investigating all of the Prophets (a-s) extraordinary and
amazing piety, knowledge, worship, ethics, merits, characteristics, etc…
that we truly realize their infallibility and pureness. It is through the
veracious episodes of their lives, that confirm their superiority over all
of the rest of humankind, this is what fills man's heart and soul with *
FAITH*, and once man obtains faith, it becomes clear to him that in order to
be close and near his most beloved LORD; ALLAH (swt) he must obey and follow
ALLAH (swt), his Prophets (a-s) and those for whom he sent to us as
authority. In fact, the one who fails to do so also fails to follow the
Straight Path that leads to salvation and eternal felicity. In other words
one's *FAITH* cannot be completed without following this very simple and
logical rule.
*"O you who believe! obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those in authority
from among you; then if you quarrel about anything, refer it to Allah and
the Apostle, if you believe in Allah and the last day; this is better and
very good in the end".* *(The Noble Qur'an 4 An-Nisa -59)*
Surely, one who has studied the history and life story of Imam Hasan
Al-Mujtaba (a-s) cannot deny that he was truly a divinely chosen authority
for mankind, for all aspects of this great Holy Imam's (a-s) life show only
indisputable proof that he (a-s) was of an essence higher than any other
person of his time, and had truly a special patience, piety, knowledge, etc…
that was only found in the greatest servants *(Prophets (a-s) and Imams
(a-s))* of ALLAH (swt) that were sent to us as authority, in this short
article we will investigate only 3 points of the many great attributes and
characteristics of Imam Hasan (a-s). This brief article's purpose is as
always, in hopes to achieve closeness and nearness to ALLAH (swt) and to
encourage all our readers to investigate and study the great life of this
Holy Infallible Imam; Imam Hasan (a-s) as well as the lives of all the 14
infallibles of the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s).
*Point #1:* *IMAM HASAN'S (a-s) REMARKABLE BEHAVIOR:*
*"And of those whom WE have created are the people who guide with the truth
and thereby they do justice". **(The Glorious Qur'an 7Al-A'raf-181)*
*"He who depends upon ALLAH's good option for him will not wish to be in a
situation other than that which ALLAH (swt) opts for him". **(Tuhaf
Al-Uquul, Maxims of Imam Hasan (a-s) #6)*
*Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) mentors were:*
His Grand-father, Prophet Muhammad (saww) the seal and last prophet who was
sent to all mankind as a mercy to them:* "Your companion does not err, nor
does he go astray; nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but
revelation that is revealed". **(The Noble Qur'an 53-2 to 4)*.
His father the Wali Amr Amir Ul-Mu'mineen Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s) the
only divinely chosen successor to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saww) by
ALLAH (swt): *"Only Allah is your Wali and His Apostle and those who
believe, those who keep up prayers and pay the poor-rate while they bow (in
the Rukoo). And whoever takes Allah and His apostle and those who believe
for a guardian, and then surely the party of Allah is they that shall be
triumphant". **(The Glorious Qur'an 5 Al-M**ā**'idah-55-56).*
His mother Sayeeda Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a-s), the most beloved daughter of
the Holy Prophet (saww), the mistress of all women: *"In the name of ALLAH
the Merciful, the Compassionate. Surely WE have given you Kawthar. So pray
to your LORD and sacrifice. Indeed it is your enemy who is without
posterity".* *(The Glorious Qur'an 108 Al-Kawthar-1-3) *
Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) was in a constant state of worship and piety, he
(a-s) was seen trembling while doing Wudu, he spent most of his (a-s) nights
in prayer and supplication, he would fast much of the time as did his father
Imam Ali (a-s), it is reported that he went to Hajj by foot twenty five
times. Imam Hasan (a-s) was the perfect example for all mankind of piety,
patience, generosity, etc…
During his short time as the Khalif of the Ummah, Imam Al-Mujtaba (a-s)
would deprive himself of his meal until he (a-s) was reassured that all the
needy, deprived, orphans and widows in the area had received their meals.
Whenever a beggar would come to him during his (a-s) meal, he would give the
food in front of him and remain hungry. *(Akhlaq-e-Aaimma)*
One day Imam Hasan (a-s) saw a young slave boy eating a morsel of bread,
then giving the piece to his dog. Imam Hasan (a-s) asked the young slave
boy: *"What made you do this**?**"* The boy answered: *"I feel ashamed when
I eat and do not feed him"*. Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) said to him: *"Do
not leave here until I return to you".* Imam Al-Mujtaba went to the young
slave boy's master; he (a-s) bought the boy and the garden where the boy
lived. Imam Hasan (a-s) then freed the slave boy and gave him the ownership
of the garden. *(Suhl Al-Hasan (a-s) by Shaykh Radi Al-Yasin)*
Imam Hasan Ibn Ali (a-s) was endowed with so many moral points and humane
qualities. He was a distinguished erudite, and was so gentle and so generous
that he was revered and respected by all. *(Ta'rikh al-Khulafa p.172, by
Shaykh Al-Suyuti (r-d))* As Imam Hasan (a-s) was a very generous man it is
enough to say that in his lifetime, he (a-s) spent all his personal wealth
twice in the Path of ALLAH (swt) and three times he (a-s) divided his wealth
giving half to charity and retaining half for himself. *(Ta'rikh al-Ya'qubi,
vol 2 p.215, Outlines of the biographies of The Leaders of Islam by
Ayatullah Shaykh Ustath Ja'far Subhani)*
Everyone was so overawed in the presents of the pure and infallible Imam
Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) that even Mu'awiya the enemy of; the Ahlul-Bayt
(a-s), Imam Ali (a-s), the Prophet Muhammad (saww) and of ALLAH (swt); said:
*"Whenever I saw him (a-s) I reflected about his position and feared that he
might recount my shortcomings".* *(Ash Shi'ah wal Hakimun by Shaykh Muhammad
Jawad Mughniyyah (r-d)) *
*It is reported from a man from Damascus:* *"One day I ran into a handsome
and serene man wearing smartly on horseback. I asked who he was. They told
me that he was Hasan Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s). I was filled with rage and
jealousy of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s) for having such a distinctive and unique
son. I approached him (a-s) and asked: Are you Ali's (a-s) son**?**" At the
very second that I heard his affirmative answer, I piled out the most
abusive and hateful words upon him (a-s). When I finally did stop, he (a-s)
asked me if I was a traveler and a stranger. I replied: "Yes". Then he (a-s)
said to me in the most kindness and gentle way:* *"If you have no place to
live, I will give you a place and if you need money, I will give you money".
* *When I parted him (a-s) I never had someone so dear in my heart as him
(a-s).* *(**Al-Kamil fil-adab, vol. 1, p.235)*
One day Imam Hasan (a-s) learnt that the son of a widow in the neighbourhood
was taken ill. He (a-s) went to visit the child. The poor widow lamented
that there was no one who could help her in the illness of her child. The
Holy Imam (a-s) said: *"Do not worry; I am here to provide help".* Therefore
he (a-s) visited them in the mornings and the evenings and fulfilled all
their needs. He (a-s) would sit near the sick boy, massage him and speak to
him words of comfort and assurance. Imam Hasan (a-s) also provided him with
whatever he desired to eat. (*Akhlaq-e-Aaimma, by Sayyed Zafar Hasan Amrohi
(r-d)).*
*Point #2:* *IMAM HASAN'S (a-s) OUTSTANDING INTELLECTUAL CAPACITIES:*
*"And of men and beasts and cattle are various species of it likewise; those
of HIS servants only who are possessed of knowledge fear ALLAH; surely ALLAH
is the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving".* *(The Glorious Qur'an35 Fatir-28)*
The Holy Prophet and Messenger of ALLAH (swt); Prophet Muhammad (saww) said:
*"If wisdom was imagined in a man, he would be Hasan"* *(Fara'id al-Simtayn,
vol. 2, p. 68)*
Imam Hasan's (a-s) remarkable and outstanding knowledge was incontestably of
the highest possible eminence. Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) in his
infallibility, pureness, piety and generosity mixed with his highest of
intellectual capacity, made him without any doubt an incomparable source of
guidance and divine knowledge to all mankind in his time period.
*Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) said:* *"Teach your knowledge to others and try
to teach yourself the knowledge of others" **(Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p.
111)*
The King of Rome sent two queries to Mu'awiya: *"Which house is in the
middle of the heavens**?**"* and *"What is the place where the sun only
shines once**?**"* Of course Mu'awiya could not answer such questions, for
questions like these were way beyond his mental capacities and knowledge, so
he asked these questions to Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) who answered them
promptly and without effort: *"The house in the middle of the heavens is the
back of the Kaba and the place where the sun shines only once is the spot in
the Nile river where Prophet Musa (a-s) hit with his staff and it opened to
make a path to safety".* *(Akhlaq-e-Aaimma, by Sayyed Zafar Hasan Amrohi
(r-d)).*
*Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) said:* *"Praise and Eulogy is for ALLAH (swt)
who hears the conversation of who so ever talks and if he remains silent
then HE knows whatever is there in his soul. And whoever lives, his
sustenance is upon ALLAH and whoever dies his resurrection is with ALLAH"*.
*(Bihar Ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p.112)*
Imam Hasan (a-s) instantly became acquainted with all the content of any of
Qur'anic verses revealed when the Holy Prophet (saww) would reveal it to his
(saww) followers. To the great surprise of Prophet Muhammad (saww), Sayyeda
Fatimah Az-Zahra (s-a) would often recite the exact text of a newly revealed
verse, before he (saww) had time to relate it personally to her (s-a). When
he (saww) would ask Fatimah (s-a) about it, she (s-a) would tell him (saww)
that it was through Imam Hasan (a-s) that she (s-a) learned the Revelation.
Imam Hasan (a-s) was around 5 or 6 years old at the time. In human
perfection Imam Hasan (a-s) was reminiscent of his father and a perfect
example of his noble grand father; the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww).
*(Al-Allamah
as-Sayyed Muhammad Hussayn at-Tabataba'i (r-a).*
*Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) said:* *"All the beneficences of both the
worlds come to the hand and are achieved by the mind".* *(Bihar Ul-Anwar,
vol. 78, p. 111)*
*An epistle on the Source of Power:*
*بِسمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَن الرَّحيم*
"In the Name of ALLAH the Beneficent, the Merciful."
*I have received your letter. Only because you referred to the perplexity of
you and those who passed, I will explain the question to you. He who does
not believe in the fact that ALLAH (swt) has full acquaintance with the good
and the evil of the fate is a disbeliever. He who refers the doing of the
acts of disobedience to HIM is sinful. ALLAH has not been obeyed by force
and has not been defied due to HIS being overcome. HE has not respited the
servants uselessly. ALLAH (swt) is surely the possessor of what HE has given
to them in possession and controls what HE has empowered. HIS commandments
are optional and HIS warnings are means of caution. If the servants cling to
the obedience to ALLAH, they will not find any barrier in their way and if
they disobey, ALLAH (swt) may do them favour by precluding them from doing
such acts of disobediences. If HE does not do, then it is not HE who
encourages them committing so by force or compulsorily. On the contrary, HE
does them the favour of informing, advising, warning, ordering and telling
them not to do so. HE does not frame them to obey HIM like the Angels and
does not oblige them to commit acts of disobedience to HIM. Final authority
belongs only to ALLAH (swt). Had HE wanted, HE would have given you all
guidance. Peace be upon those who follow the right guidance.* *(Tuhaf
Al-Uquul, Maxims of Imam Hasan (a-s))*
A man asked Imam Hasan (a-s): *"What are those ten things that are harder
than each other**?**"* Imam Hasan (a-s) answered: *"ALLAH (swt) has made the
stone hard and made iron harder than it; because iron breaks the stone, and
fire is stronger than iron because it melts the iron, water is more powerful
than fire because it extinguishes the fire, the cloud is more powerful
because it has control over the water; wind is more powerful than the cloud
because it moves the cloud, more powerful than the wind is the Angel who
controls the wind, more powerful than this Angel is the Angel of Death who
can capture his soul. Death is more powerful than the Angel of Death for he
himself would be subjected to death. More powerful than death is the command
of ALLAH (swt), as by this death arrives and is warded off".
**(Akhlaq-e-Aaimma,
by Sayyed Zafar Hasan Amrohi (r-d) / Tuhaf-Al-Uquul, by: Abu Mohammad
Al-Hasan bin Ali bin Hussayn bin Shu'ba Al-Harrani (r-a)).*
*Point #3:* *IMAM HASAN'S (a-s) ASTONISHING BRAVERY AND HIS (A-S) MARTYRDOM:
*
*"O you who believe! Be careful of your duty to ALLAH and seek means of
nearness to HIM and strive hard in HIS way that you may be successful". **(The
Glorious Qur'an5 Al-Ma'idah-35)*
*Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) said:* *"The annihilation of people lies in 3
things: Arrogance, greed and jealousy".* *(Bihar Al-Anwar by: Allamah
Majlisi (r-a) vol. 78, p. 111) *
His bravery was renowned in so many occasions as recorded in history books,
in the battle of Siffin, Imam Hasan (a-s) would charge at the enemy who
would scatter at this brave lion who resembled his Great father Imam Ali
(a-s). In fact his father; Amir Ul-Mu'mineen Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a-s)
would say to his companions: *"Stand before my son Hasan (a-s) and stop him
from continuing forward for if he is Martyred in this battle, the progeny of
the Holy Prophet (saww) will become instinct!" **(Nahj ul-Balagha, Vol. 2 p.
651)*
In order to prevent too much bloodshed in the battle of the camel, Imam Ali
(a-s) handed a sword to Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyah, and ordered him to go to the
battle field and sever the legs of the she-camel that carried Ayishah, for
should the camel fall it would stop the battle that would surely be a
massacre of those foolish people who were incited and enticed by hypocrites
and haters of Islam. However, the opposition forces were stern and defended
the she-camel with vigour. Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyah would return to his camp
without accomplishing the mission, when Imam Hasan (a-s) took the sword from
him and charged towards the battle field with a fiery and prevailing stride,
he (a-s) then succeeded in severing the she-camel's legs, which completely
changed the mood of the opponents and they gave up, therefore the battle of
the camel ended in that way. Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyah with his head on his
knees felt regret and sadness that he could not accomplish the task given to
him by his father Imam Ali (a-s). Amir Ul-Mu'mineen Imam Ali (a-s) looked
at him and said: *"O my son! Do not be unhappy with the victory of Hasan
(a-s), because he is the son of Fatimah (s-a) and you are only my
son".* *(Manaqib
Ibn Sahr Ashob, vol.2, p. 21).*
When Mu'awiya decided once again to try to steal away the leadership of
Islam, he, in his evil strategies decided to make trouble with Imam Hasan
(a-s) at the same time that the Romans began planning to attack the Muslims.
The Roman Empire was just waiting for the right time to attack the Muslims,
and Mu'awiya with his insistence to move forward and fight against Imam
Hasan (a-s) would open up a deadly door that would have surely destroyed
Islam. Had the battle between Mu'awiya and his cursed army against Imam
Hasan (a-s) had taken place, the Roman Empire who were ready to attack the
Muslims, with all the confusion with an army of 100,000 soldiers. Mu'awiya
knowing that the Holy Imam's (a-s) mission was to guide mankind and protect
Islam, he used the information about the Roman Empire wanting to attack,
should a civil war take place, knowingly against Imam Hasan (a-s) in hopes
that Imam Hasan (a-s) would be forced to make a peace treaty with him
(Mu'awiya) in order to save Islam. Mu'awiya who was full of trickery, deceit
and hate for Islam and the Holy Prophet (saww) and his Ahlul-Bayt (a-s),
knew already that he would scam his way out of the conditions of the peace
treaty, in hopes of passing on as an inheritance, the leadership of Islam to
his drunkard sinner son, the accursed Yazid and the rest of his worldly
loving, scandalous, dishonest and ignorant progeny.
Imam Hasan (a-s) had an army of true faithful believing Muslims who loved
the Imam (a-s), the Ahlul-Bayt (a-s), the Holy Prophet (saww) and ALLAH
(swt), mixed along with hypocrites and Khawarij (who had planned to
assassinate Imam Hasan (a-s) after a victory over Mu'awiya who they hated
even more). Doubtful people, who were not brave or self sacrificing in
battle. Money and power lovers who wanted only to profit every way possible,
including treachery and betrayal and those who followed their tribal leaders
and who would follow them if they would abandon the battle. Therefore, with
such a disunited army, Imam Hasan (a-s) had truly no other choice but to
negotiate for the good of Islam and for no other reason than saving the
Divine religion that ALLAH (swt) chose for all mankind, and that was brought
to mankind though the seal of the Prophets (a-s); Prophet Muhammad (saww).
For details of the peace treaty I ask my dear readers to read some of the
many great and accurate books on this subject.
The accursed Ju'da bint al-Ash'ath ibn Qays (Imam Hasan's (a-s) wife) was
encouraged by Mu'awiya to poison her husband the Holy Imam. Mu'awiya sent
her 100,000 dirhams and promised her marriage to Yazid (may ALLAH (swt)
curse him), the son of Mu'awiya. *(Outline of the biographies of the leaders
of Islam: Shaykh Ja'afar Subhani, Aqiih al-Farid; vol. 4 p. 251, Al-Imamat
wa al-Siasat; vol. 1 p. 174 and Muruj al-Dhahab; vol.3 p.105). *After Ju'da
(may ALLAH (swt) curse her) had carried out this most atrocious and
despicable crime of poisoning the Holy Imam (a-s), Mu'awiya gave her the
money, but instead he gave her to a man from the family of Talha as a
substitute. *(Kitab Al-Irshad by Shaykh Mufid (r-a), Maqatil al-Talibiyyin,
73)*
'Ibn Sireen, a servant of Hasan Ibn Ali (a-s) is reported to have said: "*I
was with Imam Hasan and Imam Hussayn (a-s) in the house. Imam Hasan (a-s)
came out of the bathroom and said"*: *"I have been poisoned many times but
this time the poison was very strong. When I examined with a stick a fleshy
thing, which had come out, I discovered that it was a piece of my liver".*
*Imam Hussayn (a-s) said:** **"Who poisoned you**?**" **Imam Hasan (a-s)
replied:** **"Do you want to kill that person**?** May the wrath of ALLAH
(swt) be upon him or her if it is the person, whom I suspect? If not, I do
not want an innocent person to be implicated and punished"**.* *(Muqatil
ul-Talibeen: Abu Faraj Ishahani. (r-a) 284 A.H. to 356 A.H. / ALSO: Same as
reported by Umar Ibn Ishaq; in Kitab Al-Irshad by Shaykh Mufid (r-a),
Maqatil al-Talibiyyin, 74). *The poison had the Holy Imam (a-s) stay in bed
ill for 40 days until he (a-s) achieved Martyrdom. *(Tardjamat al-Imam
al-Hasan by: Ibn Sa'd p. 176 / Tarikh Khulafa by: Rasul Ja'farian) *Miswar's
daughter, Umm Bakr reported: *"Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (a-s) had been poisoned
many times, although each time he survived, the last time the poison was so
strong that it made pieces of his (a-s) liver to come out through his
throat".* *(Al-Muntakhab Min Dhiyl al-mudhayyal, p. 514 / Tarikh Khulafa by:
Rasul Ja'farian)*
*The last testament of Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (a-s) to his brother Imam
Hussayn (a-s):*
*بِسمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَن الرَّحيم*
"In the Name of ALLAH the Beneficent, the Merciful."
*My dear brother, I am leaving you and joining my LORD, I have been given
poison to drink and have spewed my liver into a 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 All-Mighty, the
All-High. Therefore by the right I have with regard to you, say nothing
about that and wait for what ALLAH (swt) will decide concerning me. When I
have died, shut my eyes, wash me, and shroud me. Then carry me on my bier to
the grave to the grave of my grandfather, the Messenger of ALLAH; Prophet
Muhammad (saww), so that I may renew my covenant with him. After that take
me to the grave of my grandmother, Fatimah bint Asad, may ALLAH (swt) be
pleased with her, and bury me there. My brother, the people will think that
you intend to bury me with Rassulullah (saww). For that reason, they will
gather to prevent you from doing it" I swear by ALLAH (swt) that you should
not shed even your blood into the cupping-glass in carrying out my command".
**(Kitab Al-Irshad, by Shaykh Mufid (r-a))*
As the funeral proceeded towards the grave of the Holy Prophet (saww), some
of the Umayyads mounted on horses, obstructed the proceedings and Ayishah
appeared mounted on a mule, shouting out loudly that the grave of the Holy
Prophet (saww) was in her house and she would not allow the grandson of
Sayyeda Khadija (a-s) to be buried beside the Holy Prophet (saww). With the
shouts of Ayishah, a shower of arrows showered the coffin. Imam Hussayn
(a-s) in the fulfilment of the last wish of his (a-s) departed brother,
turned the funeral procession toward 'Baqi' and when the Holy body was taken
out of the coffin to be laid to rest in the grave, Imam Hussayn (a-s) upon
finding some of the arrows which were showered on the coffin, had struck the
Holy body of his Martyred brother; Imam Hasan (a-s), cried and addressing
the dead body of his beloved brother, Imam Hasan (a-s) said: *"I am ashamed
of thee O brother, that Hussayn is alive and sees your Pure and Holy body
wounded and cannot do anything"*. *(Hussayn (a-s)…the king of Martyrs, by
S.V. Mir Ahmed Ali p. 134)*
*Ali Ja'afary.*
Source: http://www.almujtaba.com
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