THE INFALLABLE IMAM JA'FAR AS-SADIQ (A.S.)

 

The Infallible Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) was the 6^th Gem of the “Golden Chain” “Silsila az-Zahabiyyah”. He was born in Madinah on 17^th Rabi al-Awwal 83 A.H. He used to visit the grand school of his father Imam Muhammad al-Baqir a.s.). At the age of 11 years, he surprised the students by saying, “The earth was not flat, because the way sun rises in the East and sets in the West and day and night changes in 24 hours, it cannot be possible!”

 

Bani Umayyad’s evil kingdom came to an end and Abbasids raised slogan, “Right to rule is for the family of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)” but once they came to power, they were the worst enemy of the “Ahlul Bayt” Like Banu Umayyads, Banu Abbas also felt guilty that worldly power belonged to the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s Progeny. Hence, they tried every dirty trick to harass the Infallible Imams, who possessed every virtue and remained patient to their excesses.

 

Once, a pilgrim who was visiting the Prophet’s Mosque fell asleep. On waking up, he searched for his purse containing money but could not find it. There was only Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq in the mosque praying in one corner. He accused the Imam (a.s.) of having picked up the purse. He (a.s.) took the man to his house and paid him the amount he was missing. On return in the Mosque, the man searched his belongings thoroughly and found his missing money. He was ashamed of himself and wanted to return Imam’s money, but the Imam refused to take back as Ahlul Bayt only grants but never take it back.

His (a.s.) profound knowledge was famed across the Muslim world. Students came from distant places to quench their thirst of knowledge from the Imam (a.s.) who was the “Inheritor of the Gateway of Knowledge”. The number of students exceeded four thousand in his school in Madinah, which included Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik bin Anas, Ja’bir bin Haiyan etc. He used to teach mathematics, chemistry, medicine, astrology among other prevalent faculties. Influenced by his mentor, the Imam (a.s.), Jabir wrote about 400 treatises on the above subjects.

 

Imam Abu Hanifa remarked his disagreements with his teacher Imam Sadiq (a.s.) on three questions.

1.      The Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Good is from God and evil is from the man’s own deeds” whereas I say that man has no choice; good and evil both come from God.

2.      The Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “In the Final Judgement, the devil will burn in the Fire” whereas I say that fire cannot burn devil as the same material cannot injure itself (devil was made from fire)

3.      The Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “It is impossible to see God in this world or in the next world” whereas I say that anyone who has an existence may be seen, if not in this world then in the next world.

Shaikh Behlul, who was one of the companions of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) but pretended to be insane, picked up a clod of earth and threw at the head of Imam Abu Hanifa shouting at him saying, “All of your three points are refuted”. Imam Abu Hanifa complained of pain in his head, to the caliph who summoned Behlul and asked, “Why did you throw the clod of earth at Abu Hanifa? He replied, “I did not throw it” Abu Hanifa protested and said, “You did throw it.” Behlul replied, “You yourself have said that good and evil is from God and that man has no choice, so why you are blaming me? And you have also said that same material will not injure itself. The devil is made from fire and fire of Hell will not hurt him. Accordingly, you are made from earth, how the clod of earth could hurt you? You have also claimed that you cannot see God to prove His existence. Show me the pain you are complaining about that exists in your head. “Imam Abu Hanifa had no answer to that, and the complaint was dismissed. In the end he agreed with the sayings of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.)

     

Imam as-Sadiq (a.s.) quoted the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) that the prayers of the following were unacceptable:

·        Persons, who wish ill for their parents.

·        Persons who lend money without any witness or written pledge.

·        Persons who sit idle at home and pray for sustenance.

·        Persons who are granted abundant wealth, waste it through abundant generosity.

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Our intercession will not be available to those who ignore the importance of Salaat.”

Source: Story of the Holy Ka’ba and its people by S.M.R. Shabbar 

THE SERMON OF THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.) ON HAJJATAL WIDAA

 

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was returning from Makkah after performing the last pilgrimage (Hajj). At the crossroad of Ghadeer-e-Khumm, the Arch-angel Gabriel descended with the revelation, “O Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you don’t do it, you have not delivered His message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the people.” (5:67)

He (s.a.w.a.s.) ordered Salman to arrange a pulpit of rocks and camel seats. It was extremely hot weather. He (s.a.w.a.s.) spoke for 3 hours in which he recited 100 Ayahs of the Glorious Qur’an and 73 times warned the people of their deeds and future. According to the Sunni traditionalists (selected portion), he said, “It seems that time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you Two Precious things and if adhered both, you will never go astray after me. They are the Book of Allah and my Progeny, that is my Ahlul-Bayt. The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me on the Pool (of Paradise). He (s.a.w.a.s.) said three times, “I remind you, in the name of Allah, about my Ahlul-Bayt” Then he said, “Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves? People cried and answered, “Yes, O’ Messenger of God.” Then Prophet held up the hand of Ali and said: “Whoever I am his leader (Mawla), Ali is his leader (Mawla). O’ God, love those who love him, and be hostile to those who are hostile to him. (There are 27 references of the books)

Immediately after the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) finished his speech, the following Ayah was revealed, “Today I have perfected your religion and completed My bounty upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion.” (5:3) (Mentioned in 9 Sunni books) There were over one hundred thousand companions who saw with their own eyes and heard with their ears.

Later, Harith bin Nauman al-Fahri came to Him (s.a.w.a.s.) and said, “You commanded us to testify that there was no deity but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah. We obeyed you. You ordered us to pray five times a day and we obeyed you. You ordered us to fast during the month of Ramadhan and we obeyed you. You ordered us perform pilgrimage to Makkah and we obeyed. You were not satisfied with all this and you raised your cousin by hand and imposed him upon us by saying ‘Ali is the Mawla of whom I am Mawla’. Is this imposition from Allah or from you?” The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “By Allah who is the only deity! This is from Allah, Mighty and the Glorious.” Hearing this he walked towards his she-camel saying, “O Allah if what Muhammad said is correct then fling on us a stone from the sky and subject us to severe pain and torture.” He had not reached his camel when Allah flung a stone at him at his head which penetrated through his body and left him dead. An Ayah was revealed forthwith saying, “A questioner questioned about the punishment to fall. For the disbelievers there is nothing to avert it, from Allah the Lord of Ascent. (70:1-3)

The poet-companion, Hassan ibn Thabit, immediately after his (s.a.w.a.s.) speech, sought permission to compose a poetry in honor of Imam Ali (a.s.) and on receiving the approval, he composed a poetry recording the event in detail.   

Statistics about the tradition (references about the names and the books available in the Source stated below):

110 companions reported the tradition. 28 Sunni traditionalists reported it. 19 traditionalists reported it as “Authentic”. Six Sunni traditionalists reported it.

Source: al-islam.org/A Shi’ite Encyclopedia, Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Library Project

TREATISE ON RIGHTS (RISALATAL HUQUQ) BY THE INFALLIBLE IMAM ALI ZAYN AL-ABIDIN (A.S.)

 

Today, the humanity is crying for the fundamental rights, fourteen hundred years ago the Infallible Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) described in detail, the rights of different parts of the body including man’s rights in different social settings.

Part 1 of this article was published on July 1, 2015.

Rights of Leaders: Allah has given him authority and tested him. Do not expose yourself to his displeasure and cause your destruction and become his partner in his sin when he brings evil down on you.

Right on one who trains you through his knowledge: Respect his sessions, listening and attending with devotion, defend him in his absence, do not show enmity or hostility toward him. Allah’s angels will testify that you gained knowledge for Allah’s sake.

Rights of Subjects through Authority: You should know that they have been made your subjects through their weakness and your strength. Act with justice towards them and be like a compassionate father, forgive them for their ignorance, do not hurry to punish them and thank for the power Allah has given you over them.

The Rights of the Wife: You know that Allah has made her a repose and comfort for you, she is Allah’s favor toward you, you should honor her and treat her gently, and with compassion.

The Rights of the Mother: She carried you where no one carried anyone, gave her the fruits of heart and protected you with all her organs, she did not care if she went hungry as long as you ate, she was in the sun as long as you were in shade, she gave up her sleep for your sake, protected you from heat and cold, in order that you might belong to her! You will not be able to show gratitude unless through Allah’s help.

The Right of the Father: You should know that he is your root. Whenever you see anything which pleases you, know that your father is the root of its blessings upon you. So, praise Allah and thank him.

The Right of the child: You should know that he is from you through both good and evil. You are responsible to educate him in good conduct (Adaab), pointing him toward Allah and help him to obey Him.

The Right of the Brother: You know that he is your hand, your might, and your strength. Help him against his enemy and give him good counsel.

The Right of the One who does a kindly Act: You thank him and mention his kindness and supplicate for him sincerely.

The Right of the Sitting Companion: Treat him mildly and be fair to him, do not stand up from sitting without his permission, remember his good qualities and you should tell nothing about him but good.

The Right of the Neighbor: Guard him when he is absent, honor him when he is present, aid him when he is wronged. Do not pursue anything of his that is shameful; if you know any evil from him, conceal it. If he seeks your counsel, do it. You do not forsake him in difficulty, forgive his sin and be generous towards him.

The Right of Property: Take it only from what is lawful and spend only on what is proper. You should act with it in obedience to Allah and do not be miserly with it.

The Right of the Creditor: If you have the means pay him back, otherwise at least satisfy him with good gentle words.

The Right of the One Older to you: Show reverence toward him because of his age and honor him for his precedence in Islam, do not precede him in a path and do not go ahead of him and do not consider him foolish.

The Right of the One Younger than you: Show compassion toward him through teaching him, pardoning him, covering his faults, kindness toward him and helping him.

The Right of the People of Your Creed (Community): Harbor safety and compassion for them, kindness toward evildoer, treating them with friendliness, seeking their well-being, thanking their good doer. Their old men stand in place of your father, their youths in place of your brother, their old women in place of your mother and young ones in place of your children.

IMAM ALI (A.S.) DESCRIBES THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE

 

The Commander of the faithful, who was termed “Nafse Rasool” by the Glorious Qur’an, has described the creation of the Universe. This was long before the creation of Adam but because the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had said; “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is the “Gateway of that City”. Imam Ali (a.s.) described the creation of the Universe in his first Sermon of the renowned collection called “Nahjul Balagha”. The way in which Imam Ali (a.s.) has described the creation of the Universe, appears that he was a witness to the phenomena!

Imam Ali (a.s.)’s oratory made audience’s hearts tremble and drew tears from their eyes. Once, Imam Ali (a.s.)’s companion Hamman ibn Shurayh, requested him to describe the qualities of a pious and the God-fearing. The Imam wanted to avoid his request as he was concerned about Hamman’s ability to bear what the Imam would say. Hence, he gave a perfunctory description of piety, but Hamman was not satisfied, and he beseeched the Imam for more elaboration. The Imam enumerated one hundred and five qualities and Hamman’s heart could not bear it and he collapsed and died. This is an example of the kind of influence which the Imam’s sermons had on the minds and hearts of his contemporaries.

Ibne Abil Hadid Mu’tazili said, “Praise be to Allah! An Arab youth grows up in a town like Makkah, one who has never met a sage or philosopher, yet his discourses have surpassed Plato and Aristotle in eloquence and profundity.

In the introduction to a book “The voice of Human Justice” by a Lebanese Christian, Michael Naimah, also a Christian Lebanese, says, “ Ali was not only a champion on the battle field but also a hero in all other fields: in the sincerity of heart, in the purity of conscience, in the spell -binding magic of speech, in true humanitarianism, in the fineness and warmth of  faith, in the height of tranquility, in the readiness to help the oppressed and the wronged and in total submission to the truth wherever it may be and whichever form it assumes. He was a hero in all these fields.

 Now the topic:                                     CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE   

“He initiated creation most initially and commenced it originally, without undergoing reflection, without making use of any experiment, without innovating any movement, and without experiencing any aspiration of mind. He allotted all things their times, put together their variations, gave them their properties, and determined their features knowing them before creating them, realizing fully their limits and confines, and appreciating their propensities and intricacies. When Almighty created the openings of the atmosphere, expanse of firmament and strata of winds, He flowed into it water whose waves were stormy and whose surges leapt one over the other. He loaded it on dashing wind and breaking typhoons, ordered them to shed it back (as rain), gave the wind control over the vigor of the rain, and acquainted it with its limitations. The wind blew under it while water flowed furiously over it. The Almighty created forth wind and made its movement sterile, perpetuated its position, intensified its motion, and spread it far and wide. Then He ordered the wind to raise up deep waters and intensify the waves of the oceans. So the wind churned it like the churning of the curd and pushed it fiercely into the firmament throwing its front position on the rear and the stationary on the flowing till its level was raised and the surface was full of foam. Then Almighty raised the foam on to the open wind and vast firmament and made therefrom the seven skies and made the lower one as stationary surge and the upper one as protective ceiling  and a high edifice without any pole to support it or nail to hold it together. Then He decorated them with the stars and the light of meteors and hung in it the shining sun and effulgent moon under the revolving sky, moving ceiling and rotating firmament.”

Sources: Nahjul Balagha Part 1 by Ayatullah Sharif Razi (r.a.)

 Glimpses of Nahjul Balagha by Ayatullah Murtadha Mutahhari

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

 

Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) was born on 10 Rabi As-Sani 232 AH in Samarra, Iraq.

Asker in Arabic means army. The reason for this name being given to the Imam was that the Abbasid Caliph wanted to impress the Imam with his military strength, and he arranged an army parade. After the parade, the Imam asked the Caliph to look between his two fingers. The Caliph saw and was impressed by the army much superior in number to his own and he named the Imam as “Askari”

The Imam spent his life from childhood to adulthood in the house where his father, Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) remained house arrest. Even then the Imam continued his duties of preaching and explaining the Glorious Qur’an and the knowledge of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). The Imam had written a complete Tafseer on Qur’an. Imam’s life was not peaceful even during house arrest. He was taken to Baghdad, unnecessarily questioned and imprisoned.

While he was in Baghdad, there was a severe drought. Rain had not fallen for some time. People were facing famine. A Christian priest came to rescue the people. He prayed and it rained. The Caliph was concerned that people may become Christian because of this. The Imam was requested for help. The Imam told them when the priest shows that miracle, he will remove the doubts. Next time when the priest lifted his hands for prayers, the Imam told his companions to get the bone the priest had in his hands. The Imam told them that it was the bone of a Prophet and it was the effect of the bone that when lifted in prayer, Allah’s mercy falls on earth. After this the Imam spread his prayer carpet and performed two rak’ats of prayers and prayed for rain. Before the Imam’s prayer was finished, it started to rain heavily. As a reward for this, the Imam could return to Samarra but was still placed under house arrest.

It was the tragedy of Muslim Ummah that instead of being respectful and thankful to the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and getting benefits from them, the caliphs in power, due to their own inferiority complexes, subjected the Infallible Imams to imprisonment and kept them away from the eyes of the people.

Allama Majlisi had given a detailed account of Imam Hasan Askari’s marriage. Imam Ali al-Naqi wrote a letter in ‘Roman’, enclosed it with 220 Dinars in red purse and gave it to his friend Bashir Ibne Suleiman and explained how to escort the granddaughter of the Emperor of Rum. Nargis Khatoon narrated the story to Bashir: “I am a princess. My mother was the vice-gerent of Jesus. My grandfather was anxious to marry me to his nephew. On the day of the proposed marriage, some abnormal events prevented the wedding. One night, I saw a dream in which Jesus and Prophet Muhammad greeted each other and the Prophet asked my hand for his grandson Hasan Askari. When consent was given, the Prophet Muhammad solemnized the wedding. After some time, I had another vision in that Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad and Mariam, the mother of Jesus told me that I cannot marry Hasan Askari unless I become a Muslim. This I accepted and saw Hasan Askari in my dream.” Bashir asked as to how she became a prisoner, she replied: “Hasan Askari told me that my father was planning to send an army against the Muslims, and that I should disguise myself and some of my women servants and go with the army. I did this and before long some army guards captured us.” Imam Ali al-Naqi gave her in the custody of her sister Hakima Khatoon (s.a.). After a few days, Imam Hasan al-Askari was married to the granddaughter of Emperor of ‘Rum’.

Words of Wisdom: The Imam said: “Fear Allah, increase prostrations, be kind to neighbors, associate with your kin and carry out their rights, treat people kindly, mention Allah excessively and remember death, recite the Qur’an and send peace and blessings on Prophet because it has the reward of ten virtuous deeds, generosity has a certain extent and if it is exceeded it is extravagance, economy has a certain extent and if it is exceeded it is stinginess, and courage has a certain extent and if it is exceeded it is recklessness. Death comes unexpectedly. Whoever sows good deeds shall harvest happiness and whoever sows evil deeds shall harvest regrets. Worship is not abundant fasting and praying but includes deliberating on the Signs of the Magnificent God. What a bad man he is who has two faces and two tongues! He praises his brother when he is present and eats his flesh (back-biting) when he is absent.Vices have been put in a house and its key is telling lies. He, who praises an undeserving one, becomes as an accused person. Staying up makes sleep more pleasant, and hunger makes food more delicious.  Reaching Allah, the All-Mighty, is a journey not achieved, except by praying at night.

He said to al-Mutawakkil, the Abbasid Caliph: “Do not expect goodwill from one, whom you have offended, or loyalty from one whom you have betrayed, or sincerity from one which you have suspected, because the hearts of others towards you are like hearts are like your heart towards them. From the disasters that break one’s back is a neighbor who, if sees a good deed conceals it, and if sees a bad deed, spreads it.

(In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful) is closer to the Great Names of Allah than the iris of the eye to its white. Polytheism in people is more inconspicuous than the creeping of ants on a black rock in a dark night.

Once, Muntasir Billah, the Abbasid caliph, visited the holy shrines of Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.) and Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) in Samarra. His vizier suggested to him that he should visit the tombs of his fathers of Abbasid kings, and he agreed. When he reached there, he found the graves dark and miserable where dirt was accumulated. The vizier asked the king to take care and pay money to rebuild these graves, but the Abbasid king asked if he saw the flourishing tombs of the pure Imams? “My fore- fathers associated with Satan and these masters associated with Allah, and all that which is for Allah remains, and all that which is for Satan perishes and disappears.”

 Addressing one of his companions, the Imam said: “Allah the All-Mighty did not deprive the earth since He created Adam, and He will not deprive it until the Day of Resurrection, of an authority over His people. My son, who is named after the Messenger of Allah, will fill the earth with justice and fairness after it has been filled with injustice and oppression. He will hide in an occultation, during which time no one shall be saved except one whom Allah fixes on the belief in his imamate and supplicating Allah to hasten his deliverance.

 

            Sources used:

            The Fourteen Luminaries of Islam                               by Ahmad Bijandi

            Principles of Shiite Creed                                              by Ayatullah Ibrahim Amini

            Story of the Holy Ka’ba and its People                       by S.M.R. Shabbar

            Islam, Faith, Practices, and History                             by Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi

 

THE AYAHS OF THE GLORIOUS QUR'AN PERTAINING TO THE NOBLE MESSENGER (S.A.W.A.S.)

 

Allah (s.w.t.) created Prophet Adam and sent His Guidance all along commanding every Messenger to emphasize on obeying the Only One Allah. He sent 124,000 prophets; the first being Prophet Adam and the last was the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Some of the distinguished prophets were Noah (Nuh), Abraham (Ibrahim), Muses (Musa), Jesus (Isa) and the last being the Superior of all as Noble Messenger Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.). His miracle was the Glorious Qur’an, which is the last pure and undiluted Divine Guidance for the humanity till the Day of Resurrection. Selected Ayahs which were revealed regarding the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) are appended below:

Surah al-Nisa Ayah 59, “O’ you who have faith! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those charged with authority among you. The, if you quarrel about anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is better, and more favorable in outcome.”   

Surah al-Ahzab Ayah 33, “Verily Allah intends but to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanness, O’ you the people of the House! And purify you (with) a through purification.

Surah Ale Imran Ayah 61, “And whoever dispute with you concerning him (Jesus), after what has come to you of knowledge, say: ‘Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then let us invoke in earnest and lay the curse of Allah upon the liars.”

Surah al-Isra Ayah 1, “Glory be to him Who took His servant by night from Masjid -al Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa the precincts of which We have blessed that We show him (some) of our signs. Verily He is All-Hearing and All-Seeing.”      

Surah al-Ma’idah Ayah 19, “O People of the Book! Certainly Our Apostle has come to you, clarifying (the Divine teachings) for you after a gap in (the appearance of)the apostles, lest you should say, ’There did not come to us any bearer of good news nor any warner.’ Certainly, there has come to you a bearer of good news and a warner. And Allah has power over all things.”

Surah al-Ahzab Ayah 21, “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent pattern (of conduct) for him who hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah all much.”

Surah al-Ahzab Ayah 45, “O Prophet! Verily We have sent you as a witness, and as a bearer of glad tiding and as a warner.”

Surah al-Ma’idah Ayah 56, “Verily Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Prophet, O you who believe! Send you blessings on him, and you salute him with submission.”  

Surah al-Ma’idah Ayah 67, “O Messenger! Communicate what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the (vice of) people, verily Allah does not guide the unbelieving ones.”

Surah al-Najm Ayah 3 & 4, “Nor does he (Prophet) speak of concupiscent desire. His word is only a Revelation revealed to him.”

Surah al-Jumah Ayah 2, “ He it is Who sent amongst the unlettered ones a Messenger from amongst themselves to recite unto them His Ayahs, to foster them and absolve them of polytheism and discord, and teach them the Heavenly Book and Wisdom. And indeed, they had been formerly in manifest error.”

Surah al-Muzzammil Ayah 1-4,” O you wrapped up in garment! Stand vigil through the night, except a little, a half, or reduce a little from that or add to it and recite the Qur’an in measured tone.  

Surah al-Anbiya Ayah 107, “We did not send you but as a Mercy to all the nations.”

Surah al-Qasas Ayah 56, “Verily you cannot guide whom you like, but Allah guides whomever He pleases, and He knows best those are guided.”

Surah al-Ahzab Ayah 40,” Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets, and Allah is cognizant of all things.”

Surah al-Qalam Ayah 4, “And you possess an exalted character.”

Surah al-Jinn Ayah 27, “Except to a Messenger whom He has chosen and then He makes a band of watching guards to march before him and behind him.”

THE PRINCE OF THE YOUTHS OF PARADISE, THE INFALLABLE IMAM HASAN (A.S.)

 

The Grandson of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the son of the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Lady of Paradise, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.)- Imam Hasan (a.s.) was born on 15 Ramzan 3 A.H. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) recited Azan and Iqama in his ears and later sacrificed a ram (Aqiqa) for him. Imam Hasan (a.s.) resembled with his grandfather in form, manner, and nobility.

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) gifted him with all his great qualities and adorned him with the Divine knowledge, tolerance, intelligence, bounty, and valor. Being infallible by birth and decorated with heavenly knowledge by Allah (s.w.t.), his insight had access to Lawhe-Mahfuz (Grand Tablet). As a young child, he became conversant with the contents of any wahey (Qur’anic Ayahs) revealed when he used to be present in the Prophet’s mosque. Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) would recite the Ayahs in front of her father (s.a.w.a.s.). On inquiry, she told him that it was shared by young Imam Hasan (a.s.).

Most of his nights were spent on the prayer carpet. He shed tears in fear (recognition of the Greatness) of Allah, and while performing ablution (wudu), he used to tremble, and his face would turn yellow. He utilized his worldly possessions in the help and betterment of the needy. He was very courteous and humble particularly with the poor.

After the martyrdom of his illustrious father, Imam Ali (a.s.), he was appointed by Allah (s.w.t.) as the next infallible Imam. The worldly khilafah was also finalized by the allegiance (bay’ah) of most of the Muslims. The governor of Syria (Sh’am) declared war against his khilafah. As his usual shrewd tactics, he used Muslim's wealth (which was a trust with him) for his own selfish plans, use the sword against his opponents and made false promises to the people for worldly gains. He applied the same tactics with the influential commanders of Imam Hasan(a.s.)’ army and forced the infallible Imam (a.s.) to sign a peace treaty. The terms of peace the treaty is detailed in the writer’s article, “Peace Treaty of Imam Hasan with Muawiya bin Abu Sufiyan”. Hence the son of Abu Sufiyan, an arch enemy of Islam and the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), captured the reins of Islamic caliphate. He showed his true colors in a public speech when he officially made null and void all the peace conditions by tearing off the copy of treaty.

 According to both Sunni and Shia sources, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “These two children of mine (Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn), are Imams whether they stand up or sit down. “It means whether they make peace or perform jihad”. Before Imam Ali (a.s.)’s apparent khilafah, wealth started pouring in from the conquests of Egypt, Persia and other captured territories, in which the members of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) did not participate, their share was placed in a Trust and the money was spent to help the poor and deserving Muslims. Although, Imam Ali (a.s.)’s progeny lived in simple houses and lead a simple life, but the wealth was spent for the deserving people setting an example for their followers! Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) were the trustees of this fund. Imam Hasan (a.s) was one of the “Panjetan” in whose honor, the Ayah of Purification was revealed; Surah al-Ahza’ab Ayah 33, “O People of the house, Allah wants to keep away all kinds of uncleanness from you and to purify you thoroughly.” Similarly, Imam Hasan (a.s.) was also a part of the Ayah of Mubahelah, wherein he and his brother, Imam Husayn (a.s.)  represented the “Sons” of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Surah al-Imran Ayah 61, “Should anyone argue with you after the knowledge has come to you, then say:” “Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our souls, and your souls, then let us pray earnestly and call down Allah's curse upon the liars."

As a part of the wicked scheme, Muawiya bribed Imam Hasan (a.s.)’s wife, Ju’dah binte Ash’as, to poison the Imam (a.s.) and promised to marry her to his son Yazid and sent 100,000 Dirhams. Because of the poison, the Imam (a.s.) attained martyrdom on Safar 28, 50 A.H. The coffin when carried towards Prophet’s mausoleum for burial, the enemy sent arrows and his body started to bleed. Consequently, it was returned, and replaced with a new shroud. This is the only case in Muslim history when a shrouded body was inflicted with arrows! He was buried in Jannat-al-Baqi’
The Imam had 3 sons: Qassim, Abdullah and Hasan Musanna. Qassim and Abdullah were martyred in Karbala and Hasan Musanna survived his wounds. He later married Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s daughter Fatima al-Sughra. Two of the grandsons; Sulayman and Idris migrated to Iran and Tunisia, respectively. Sulayman’s descendants settled in Kirman and some of them migrated to India. Imam Hasan (a.s.)’s golden saying was: “Regarding the world, be as if you were going to live forever. With respect to the Hereafter, be as if you were going to die tomorrow.”

               Sources:  The Glorious Qur’an, Story of Holy Ka’ba, and its People by SMR Shabbar

                                             Imam Hasan, brief outlook, Brief History of Fourteen Infallible