Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a): Difference between revisions

Imam al-Hasan was born in the middle of the month of [[Ramadan]]<ref>''Tārīkh madīnat Dimashq'', vol. 13, p. 167; ''Al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 5.</ref> of 3/625<ref>''Tarjimat al-Imām al-Ḥasan min al-ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', p. 98; ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 219; ''Iʿlām al-warā'', vol. 1, p. 402.</ref> in [[Medina]]. Most sources describe him as the closest in appearance to [[the Prophet (s)]]. According to a report, the Prophet (s) described al-Hasan (a) as the most similar to him in character, disposition, and physical appearance.<ref>''Al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', al-khamisa, vol. 1, p. 245; ''al-Istīʿāb'', vol. 1, p. 384.</ref> He lived seven years during the lifetime of the Prophet (s).<ref>''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 3, p. 175.</ref> Among his epithets are Sibt al-Nabi, al-Sayyid, al-Zaki, al-Mujtaba, al-Taqi, al-Wali, and al-Tayyib.<ref>Kashf al-Ghumma, vol. 2, p. 141; ''Bihār al-anwār'', vol. 43, p. 255.</ref>

[[Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan|Mu'awiya]], the governor of Syria who claimed the caliphate, upon hearing of the people’s pledge, openly declared rebellion and refused to acknowledge Imam al-Hasan as caliph.<ref>''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 214; ''Sharh nahj al-balāgha'', vol. 16, p. 31.</ref> Imam al-Hasan (a)’s first action after taking charge was to organize an army to confront Mu'awiya.<ref>''Al-Mustadrak ʿalā l-saḥīḥayn'', vol. 3, pp. 174–176. </ref> In response, Mu'awiya marched with sixty thousand men against him.<ref>''Al-Futūḥ'', vol. 4, p. 286; ''Maqātil al-Ṭālibīyyīn'', pp. 34–35.</ref> He spread rumors claiming that Imam al-Hasan intended to make peace,<ref>''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 214.</ref> while at the same time bribing some of al-Hasan’s commanders.<ref> ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 38.</ref> As a result of these rumors, al-Hasan’s camp was looted, and he was wounded in “Sabat.”<ref>''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 35; ''Al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 12.</ref>

In such circumstances he was compelled to make peace. When asked about the reason, Imam al-Hasan (a) explained that it was due to the people’s greater desire for peace, their aversion to war, and above all, the preservation of his Shi'a.<ref> ''Akhbār al-ṭiwāl'', p. 220. </ref>

He handed the caliphate to Mu'awiya under conditions: that Mu'awiya would not appoint a successor,<ref> al-Istīʿāb, vol. 1, pp. 385–387. </ref> that the next caliph would be chosen by a council of Muslims,<ref> al-Istīʿāb, vol. 1, pp. 386–387. </ref> that Muslims and the Shi'a would remain safe, and that no plot would be hatched against the Ahl al-Bayt.<ref> ''Al-Futūḥ'', vol. 4, pp. 290–291.</ref>

Imam al-Hasan (a) was regarded as the most devout, ascetic, and virtuous person of his time.<ref>''Al-Amālī'', p. 244; ''ʿUddat al-dāʿi'', p. 139.</ref> He became renowned for his generosity, patience, and forbearance. Because of this, he was called “Karim Ahl al-Bayt.” He is reported to have given away half of his wealth, and in some accounts even all of it, in charity two or three times.<ref>''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 9; ''Al-Wafi bil-Wafayat'', vol. 12, p. 68; Sharh al-Akhbar, vol. 3, p. 113; Manaqib Aal Abi Talib, vol. 3, p. 180. </ref>

Both Sunni and Shi'a sources narrate that Imam al-Hasan (a) performed many pilgrimages to Mecca on foot.<ref> Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, p. 9; al-Wafi bil-Wafayat, vol. 12, p. 67; Uddat al-Dai, p. 139. </ref> It is reported that he walked to hajj twenty-five times.<ref> Shadharat al-Dhahab, vol. 1, p. 242.</ref> He explained that walking expressed greater humility on the way to the House of God.<ref> al-Aimma al-Ithna Ashar, p. 64. </ref>

The names of his wives as mentioned in historical sources include: Umm al-Haqq, daughter of Talha b. 'Ubayd Allah; Hafsa, daughter of Abd al-Rahman b. Abi Bakr; Hind, daughter of Suhayl b. 'Amr;<ref> Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, pp. 20–22.</ref> and Ja'da, daughter of al-Ash'ath b. Qays.<ref> Sulh al-Imam al-Hasan, p. 38. </ref> According to al-Shaykh al-Mufid,<ref> al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 20.</ref> Umm Bashir, daughter of 'Uqba b. 'Amr, and Khawla, daughter of Manzur al-Fazari, were also among his wives. Some early sources list his wives as numbering ten,<ref> al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 5, pp. 244–245. </ref> while others expand the figure to eleven.<ref> Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 16, p. 21.</ref> There are also exaggerated reports mentioning an unverified larger number of marriages.<ref> Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, p. 25; Qut al-Qulub, vol. 2, p. 471. </ref>

Some sources record fifteen children for him,<ref> Tazkirat al-Khawas, p. 194; al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 20. </ref> while others mention four sons and two daughters.<ref> al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 5, pp. 244–245. </ref> His lineage continued through his sons al-Hasan and Zayd. All of al-Hasan’s children stood alongside [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] on the day of [[Ashura]].<ref> al-Majdi fi Ansab al-Talibiyyin, p. 19; Musnad al-Imam al-Shahid, vol. 2, p. 107.</ref>

Later, the al-Hasanid branch of the [['Alids]] became among the chief rivals of the [[Abbasid dynasty]]. Notable figures such as Muhammad<ref> al-Tabari, vol. 7, p. 552.</ref> and Ibrahim,<ref> al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 5, pp. 439–441.</ref> sons of Abd Allah b. al-Hasan,<ref> al-Fakhri, p. 164.</ref> and al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. al-Hasan (known as the [[Martyr of Fakhkh]])<ref> al-Tabari, vol. 8, pp. 192–205.</ref> (d. 169/786), revolted against the Abbasid rule.

According to the most famous report, Imam al-Hasan (a) was poisoned and martyred on the 28th of Safar, in the year 50/670.<ref> Kashf al-Ghummah, vol. 2, p. 205; Translation of al-Tabaqat al-Kubra: al-Imam al-Hasan, p. 91.</ref> Other reports cite the years 47/667,<ref> al-Bad wa al-Tarikh, vol. 5, p. 74. </ref> or 49/669,<ref> al-Yaqubi, vol. 2, p. 225; Tarikh Madinat Dimashq, vol. 7, p. 122. </ref> or even the 7th of Safar.<ref> al-Durus al-Sharaiyya, vol. 2, p. 7. </ref> According to the well-known narrative, Ja'da, one of his wives, poisoned him at the instigation of Mu'awiya.<ref> al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, vol. 8, p. 43; Ibn Khaldun, vol. 2, p. 649.</ref>

In accordance with his will (“Bury me beside my grandfather”), the Ahl al-Bayt attempted to bury him beside the grave of the Prophet (s). However, the [[Umayyads]], led by [[Marwan b. al-Hakam]], the governor of Medina,<ref> al-Wafi bil-Wafayat, vol. 12, pp. 68–69. </ref> together with [[Aisha]],<ref> Tazkirat al-Khawas, p. 193. </ref> prevented them. The [[Banu Hashim]] prepared to resist, but [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]], honoring his brother’s will, refrained. Thus, al-Hasan was buried in [[al-Baqi cemetery]].<ref> Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 44, p. 134.</ref>

Imam al-Hasan (a) was laid to rest in the al-Baqi cemetery, near his grandmother [[Fatimah bt. Asad]] and the Prophet’s uncle [['Abbas b. 'Abd al-MutTalib|'Abbas]]. Later, a dome was erected over their resting places along with those of [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]] and [[Imam al-Baqir (a)]], described as the tallest structure in Medina.<ref> Ibn Jubayr, Rihlah, p. 155; Madinah Shinasi, p. 326; al-Iqd al-Thamin, vol. 3, p. 396.</ref> In 495/1101-02, [[Majd al-Mulk al-Baravistani]], vizier of the Seljuk ruler Barkiyaruq, sent an architect from Qom to build the dome over Imam al-Hasan’s shrine.<ref> al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, vol. 10, p. 352.</ref> This dome was destroyed on the 8th of Shawwal, 1343/1925, by Saudi Wahhabi forces.<ref> Tarikh Haram Aimmat al-Baqi wa Athar Ukhra fi Madinah al-Munawwarah, p. 51.</ref>

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