THE INFALLIBLE IMAM HASAN AL-MUJTABA (A.S.)

Imam Hasan (a.s.) was born on Ramazan 15, 3AH. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) gave the new born this name. He was growing under the guidance of his grandfather, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the most blessed parents on earth i.e. Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Lady of Paradise Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). As a boy, whenever he went to the Mosque, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) would pick him up and let him sit beside him. Imam Hasan (a.s.) would come home and narrate the wordings of the revelation (wahi) ; the Qur’anic surahs he heard from his grand father to his mother. Sayyida Fatima (s.a.) told Imam Ali (a.s.) about this. The Imam wanted to hear how Imam Hasan describes the revelations. One day Imam Ali (a.s.) came early and stood behind a curtain. When the young Imam Hasan (a.s.) came, started to recite the Ayahs of the Glorious Qur’an, he hesitated and said that apparently some elder person was watching him; hence Imam Ali (a.s.) came out and kissed his beloved son.

On the occasion of one of the Eids, both Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn were very young. They both said to their mother that next day was the Eid; children of Madinah will wear new dresses, and inquired about their dress. Sayyida Fatima (s.a.) consoled them that their dresses were being brought by the tailor. Immediately, she prayed namaz and sought Allah’s help. Presently there was a knock on the door. When asked who was there? Jibra’eel (or Rizwan of Paradise) replied, “I am the tailor of Hasnain and have brought the dresses.” Green dress was for Imam Hasan, as he would be martyred by poison and red dress for Imam Husayn as he would be martyred by swords at Karbala. Similarly, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) became a camel for Hasnain on the Eid day.

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) died when Imam Hasan (a.s.) was 8 years old. Imam Hasan (AS) spent the next 25 years with his illustrious father Imam Ali (a.s.).

This was the period in which the Muslim army conquered many lands. His father and every member of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) did not participate in these expeditions. Imam Ali (a.s.) and his family formed a Trust and whatever their share of prosperity was provided, they all put into this Trust. The funds were used to help the needy.

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Hasan and Husayn are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise.” Imam Hasan (a.s.) was included in Qur’anic Ayahs of Tatheer and Mubahela.

There are numerous traditions of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) in praise of Imam Hasan (a.s.).

Bani Umayyad very cunningly accepted Islam by lips not from heart, utilized the general amnesty granted by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) after the Conquest of Makkah and slowly poisoned the Muslims society. They mercilessly misused the Muslim’s wealth to consolidate their illegitimate power, made false promises to the influential tribal and military chiefs to accomplish their evil designs. Whoever did not accept their unlawful acts were silenced by their swords. They used these tactics against the legitimate khilafat of Imam Ali (a.s.) and repeated the same tactics against his sons; Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.). This is evident from the change in Muslim society which was culminated within 50 years of the demise of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Imam Ali (a.s.) was deprived of his rightful position, next Imam Hasan was isolated and by conspiracy of Moawiya, was poisoned by his own wife, Ja’dah binte Ash’as, and lastly, Imam Husayn (a.s.) and his family and friends were mercilessly slaughtered at Karbala depriving them of food and water for three days. The grand daughters of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) were made prisoners, snatched their head covers, made to travel on camels without seats from Karbala to Kufa and then to Demascus.

When the conditions deteriorated, Imam Hasan offered to abdicate the khilafat. Moawiya send a blank paper to Imam Hasan (a.s.) and asked him to write any condition he liked!

Moawiya knew in his heart that he was not going to comply a single term of the treaty!

Imam Hasan laid down the following conditions:

1. That Moawiya should rule strictly according to Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.).
2. That Moawiya should not appoint or nominate any one to the khilafat after him but that the choice should be left to the Muslims.
3. That the people should be left in peace, wherever they are in the land of Allah.
4. That the persecution of the companions of Imam Ali (a.s.) should be stopped immediately.
5. That the cursing of Imam Ali (a.s.) from the pulpit should also stop immediately!
6. That no harm should be done secretly or openly against Imam Hasan (a.s.) or Imam Husayn (a.s.).

Shortly after the treaty was signed, Moawiya spoke to the people at a place al-Nukhiala and said, “By God, I have not fought against you to make you pray or fast. I fought so that I may have power over you. That treaty is now under my foot. And from now on I will not fulfill any terms of the treaty”

Moawiya agreed with the wife of Imam Hasan (a.s.), Ju’ada binte Ashas, that if she poisoned Imam Hasan (a.s.), he will give her hundred thousand dirham and marry her to Yazid. She poisoned the Imam but he stayed alive for forty days and was martyred in Safar 50 AH.

Moawiya sent the promised dinars but did not marry her to Yazid saying that if she could be unfaithful to the grandson of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) she will be unfaithful to Yazid also.

Imam Husayn (a.s.) prepared the body of his brother for burial and proceeded towards his grandfather’s grave but the enemies showered arrows on the body. He was buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi near his mother’s grave.

There is a famous saying of Imam Hasan, “In regard to the world act as if you are going to live for ever. With respect to the Hereafter, act as if you were going to die tomorrow.”

The Imam (a.s.) was asked numerous questions; “What is forbearance?” He replied, “Restraining one’s anger and controlling one’s self.” “What is righteousness?” He replied, “Replacing the bad with the good.” “What is honor?” He replied, “Being kind to one’s relatives and shouldering people’s burdens of sins.” “What is succor?” He replied, “Defending the neighbor, patience in the war, and advance during adversities.” “What is glory?” He replied, “Giving while being in debt and forgiving others their offenses.” “What is manliness?” He replied, “Holding on to the faith, keeping one’s self-respect, being merciful, being kind, giving back people’s trusts, and ingratiating oneself to the people.” “What is the distance between right and the falsehood?” Imam replied, “Four fingers. What you see with your own eyes is the right. You may hear a lot of falsehood with your ears.” Once a Syrian man saw Imam Hasan and started to curse his father Imam Ali (a.s.) When the man finished his curses, Imam Hasan (a.s.) said, “O old man, I think you are a stranger. Let me know if you need any thing, I will provide you.” The man felt ashamed, broke into tears and fell on his feet.

Imam Hasan’s hospitality was famous in Madinah. His dinner table was very vast. Different types of tasty foods would be provided for the people but Imam Hasan (a.s.) himself would not eat from it. His food was like his father Imam Ali (a.s.); barley bread and salt.

Imam Hasan had performed 25 Hajj on foot.