THE PRINCE OF YOUTH OF PARADISE, THE INFALLIBLE 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 wahy (Qur’anic Ayahs) revealed when he was in the 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 of Allah. While performing ablution (wudu), he trembled and his face would turn yellow by His (s.w.t.)’s fear. He utilized his worldly possessions in the betterment of the poor. 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 khilafa was also finalized by the allegiance (bay’ah) of most of the Muslims. The governor of Syria (Sh’am) declared war against his khilafa. As his usual shrewd tactics, he used Muslim's wealth (which was a trust) for his own selfish plans, use the sword against his opponents and made false promises for worldly gains. He applied the same tactics with the influential commanders of Imam (a.s.) army and forced the infallible Imam to sign a peace treaty. The terms of peace treaty are detailed in my 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 Islamic caliphate. He showed his true color 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.”

Before Imam Ali (a.s.)’s apparent khilafa, wealth started pouring in from the conquests of Egypt, Persia and other 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 small 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 Imam was aware that he will not be allowed to be buried alongside his grandfather, hence he advised Imam Husayn (a.s.) to bury him beside his mother in Jannat-ul-Baqi’ in Madina.
The Imam had 3 sons; Qasim, Abdullah and Hasan Musanna. Qasim and Abdullah were martyred in Karbala and Hasan Musanna survived his wounds. He later married Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s daughter Fatima 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