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Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a)

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Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a) (Arabic: إمام الحسن المجتبی) was the son of Amir al-Muʾminin 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a), the second Imam of the Shi'a and the fifth caliph of the Muslims. He is described as the one who most resembled the Prophet (s), a devout worshipper and ascetic, and it is reported that several times in his life he gave away all or half of his wealth in charity. After the martyrdom of Imam 'Ali (a), he assumed the caliphate by the people's allegiance, but in 41/661, due to divisions in his army, he was compelled to accept peace with Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan, who claimed the caliphate and had advanced with a large army from Syria toward Iraq.

He is reported to have gone on hajj several times on foot. After his martyrdom, his body was buried in the cemetery of al-Baqi', beside Fatima bt. Asad. Later, Imam 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) and Imam al-Baqir (a) were also buried there, and a magnificent dome was eventually built over their graves.

Birth and Childhood

Imam al-Hasan was born in the middle of the month of Ramadan[1] of 3/625[2] 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.[3] He lived seven years during the lifetime of the Prophet (s).[4] Among his epithets are Sibt al-Nabi, al-Sayyid, al-Zaki, al-Mujtaba, al-Taqi, al-Wali, and al-Tayyib.[5]

After the Prophet (s)

He witnessed the events of the rule of the first three caliphates. Some reports mention his and his brother Imam al-Husayn's (a) participation in conquests such as North Africa and Tabaristan,[6] though historical evidence indicates otherwise.[7] During the siege of 'Uthman, by his father's instruction, al-Hasan (a) maintained contact with him.[8] Another event was his escorting of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari with his father at the time of Abu Dharr's exile.[9]

During the Caliphate of Imam 'Ali (a)

Al-Hasan (a) spent thirty years alongside his father 'Ali (a). On the eve of the Battle of Jamal, he was dispatched by 'Ali (a) as his envoy to Kufa to mobilize the people.[10] He also took part in the Battle of Siffin, and during the Battle against the Khawarij, he delivered sermons in support of his father and was present on the battlefield.[11]

'Ali (a) had established charitable endowments in and around Madina, of which al-Hasan (a) became the trustee after him, followed later by his brother Husayn (a).[12] These endowments were then administered by Banu al-Hasan and Banu Husayn.[13]

Imamate and Caliphate of Imam al-Hasan (a)

After being struck, 'Ali (a) appointed his son al-Hasan (a) as Imam,[14] and he assumed authority for about six months. The allegiance to him took place on the 21st of Ramadan, 40 AH, following his father's martyrdom.[15]

Mu'awiya, the governor of Syria who claimed the caliphate, upon hearing of this allegiance, openly declared rebellion and refused to recognize al-Hasan (a).[16] The first step of al-Hasan (a) was to mobilize an army against him.[17] Mu'awiya advanced with sixty thousand troops against al-Hasan (a).[18] He spread rumors that al-Hasan (a) intended peace,[19] while at the same time bribing commanders in al-Hasan's army.[20] Amid these rumors, his camp was plundered and he was wounded at “Maẓlim Sabat.”[21] In such circumstances, he was compelled to conclude peace, explaining that the people's inclination to peace, their aversion to war, and especially the preservation of the Shi'a from slaughter, necessitated his decision.[22]

He handed over the caliphate to Mu'awiya with conditions: that Mu'awiya would not appoint a successor,[23] that the next caliph would be chosen by the council of Muslims,[24] that the Muslims and Shi'a would be secure, and that no plot would be made against the Ahl al-Bayt.[25]

Virtues and Merits

Hasan (a) was considered the most devout, ascetic, and virtuous of his time.[26] He was famous for his generosity, patience, and selflessness.[27][28][29] Hence he became known as “Karim Ahl al-Bayt.” It is reported that two or three times he gave away half, or even all, of his wealth in charity.[30][31]

Hajj

Both Shi'i and Sunni sources mention his frequent pilgrimages on foot.[32] He is said to have performed 25 pilgrimages in this way.[33] When asked, he explained that he did so to express greater humility before God's House.[34]

Wives of Imam al-Hasan (a)

The names of his wives mentioned in historical sources include: Umm al-Haqq bt. Talha b. 'Ubayd Allah; Hafṣa bt. 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abi Bakr; Hind bt. Suhayl b. 'Amr[35]; and Ja'da bt. al-Ash'ath b. Qays.[36] Shaykh al-Mufid[37] also mentions Umm Bashir bt. 'Uqba b. 'Amr b. Tha'laba and Khawla bt. Manẓur al-Fazariyya. Some early sources list up to ten wives,[38] while others mention eleven.[39] Exaggerated reports of numerous marriages exist, but many such names are untraceable in reliable sources.[40]

Children of Imam al-Hasan (a)

He is said to have had fifteen children,[41] though some report only four sons and two daughters.[42] His lineage continued through his sons al-Hasan and Zayd. All his children joined Imam Husayn (a) on the Day of 'Āshuraʾ.[43]

The al-Hasanid branch of the 'Alids became major rivals of the 'Abbasid dynasty. Among them, Muhammad[44] and Ibrahim,[45] sons of 'Abd Allah b. al-Hasan,[46] as well as Husayn b. 'Ali b. al-Hasan (the “Martyr of Fakhkh,” 169 AH),[47] rose against the 'Abbasids.

In the latter half of the 4th/10th century, the al-Hasanid Sharifs established an emirate in Mecca that lasted until the domination of the Āl Sa'ud over the Hijaz.

Martyrdom of Imam al-Hasan (a)

According to the most common report, al-Hasan (a) was poisoned and martyred on 28 Safar, 50 AH.[48] Other accounts give 47 AH[49] or 49 AH,[50] and some mention 7 Safar.[51] The prevalent tradition holds that his wife Ja'da, instigated by Mu'awiya, poisoned him.[52]

Shrine of Imam al-Hasan (a)

According to his will (udfinuni 'inda abi), his family intended to bury him near the grave of the Prophet (s), but the Banu Umayya under Marwan b. al-Hakam, the governor of Madina,[53] supported by some of the Prophet's wives,[54] prevented this. The Banu Hashim prepared to confront them, but Imam Husayn (a), adhering to his brother's will, restrained them. Thus, al-Hasan (a) was buried in al-Baqi'.[55]

He was laid to rest beside his grandmother Fatima bt. Asad and his uncle al-'Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib. Later, a dome was erected over their graves as well as those of Imam 'Ali b. al-Husayn (a) and Imam al-Baqir (a), and it was described as the tallest structure in Madina.[56][57] In 495 AH, Majd al-Mulk al-Burawastani, vizier of the Saljuq ruler Barkiyaruq, sent an architect and funds to build a dome and mausoleum over their graves, which was rebuilt by a group of Iranians in 1234 AH.[58] The building was destroyed by the Wahhabis in 1221 AH,[59] then reconstructed by the Ottoman Sultan 'Abd al-Hamid II, only to be demolished again in 1344 AH by the Wahhabis.[60]

  1. ↑ Tarikh Madinat Dimashq, vol. 13, p. 167; al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 5.
  2. ↑ Tarjama al-Imam al-Hasan min al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, p. 98; Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, p. 219; I'lam al-Wara, vol. 1, p. 402.
  3. ↑ al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, al-Khamisah, vol. 1, p. 245; al-Isti'ab, vol. 1, p. 384.
  4. ↑ Manaqib Āl Abi Talib, vol. 3, p. 175.
  5. ↑ Kashf al-Ghumma, vol. 2, p. 141; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 255.
  6. ↑ al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 6.
  7. ↑ Cf. al-Hayat al-Siyasiyya li-l-Imam al-Hasan, pp. 114–130.
  8. ↑ Muruj al-Dhahab, vol. 2, p. 344; al-Imama wa-l-Siyasa, vol. 1, p. 44; Tarikh al-Tabari, vol. 4, pp. 388–389.
  9. ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 5, p. 543; Tarikh al-Ya'qubi, vol. 2, p. 172.
  10. ↑ al-Jamal, pp. 132, 175.
  11. ↑ Hayat al-Imam al-Hasan b. 'Ali, vol. 1, pp. 481–486.
  12. ↑ Tahdhib al-Ahkam, vol. 9, pp. 145–148.
  13. ↑ 'Ilal al-Sharaʾi', vol. 1, p. 230; al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 21; Kashf al-Ghumma, vol. 2, p. 199.
  14. ↑ Kashf al-Ghumma, vol. 2, pp. 153–154; Musnad al-Imam al-Mujtaba (a), p. 36.
  15. ↑ al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 9.
  16. ↑ Tarikh al-Ya'qubi, vol. 2, p. 214; Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, Ibn Abi al-Hadid, vol. 16, p. 31.
  17. ↑ al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn, vol. 3, pp. 174–176.
  18. ↑ al-Futuh, vol. 4, p. 286; Maqatil al-Talibiyyin, pp. 34–35.
  19. ↑ Tarikh al-Ya'qubi, vol. 2, p. 214.
  20. ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, p. 38.
  21. ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, p. 35; al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 12.
  22. ↑ Akhbar al-Tiwal, p. 220.
  23. ↑ al-Isti'ab, vol. 1, pp. 385–387.
  24. ↑ al-Isti'ab, vol. 1, pp. 386–387.
  25. ↑ al-Futuh, vol. 4, pp. 290–291.
  26. ↑ al-Amali, al-Saduq, p. 244; 'Uddat al-Da'i, p. 139.
  27. ↑ Kashf al-Ghumma, vol. 2, pp. 180–182; Nuzhat al-Naẓir, pp. 148–150.
  28. ↑ al-Kamil, al-Mubarrad, vol. 2, p. 462.
  29. ↑ Cf. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, pp. 344–355; Manaqib Āl Abi Talib, vol. 3, p. 188.
  30. ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, p. 9; al-Wafi bi-l-Wafayat, vol. 12, p. 68.
  31. ↑ Sharh al-Akhbar, vol. 3, p. 113; Manaqib Āl Abi Talib, vol. 3, p. 180.
  32. ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, p. 9; al-Wafi bi-l-Wafayat, vol. 12, p. 67; 'Uddat al-Da'i, p. 139.
  33. ↑ Shadharat al-Dhahab, vol. 1, p. 242.
  34. ↑ al-Aʾimma al-Ithna 'Ashar, p. 64.
  35. ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, pp. 20–22.
  36. ↑ Sulh al-Imam al-Hasan (a), Āl Yasin, p. 38.
  37. ↑ al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 20.
  38. ↑ al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 5, pp. 244–245.
  39. ↑ Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, Ibn Abi al-Hadid, vol. 16, p. 21.
  40. ↑ Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 3, p. 25; Qut al-Qulub, vol. 2, p. 471.
  41. ↑ Tadhkirat al-Khawaṣṣ, p. 194; al-Irshad, vol. 2, p. 20.
  42. ↑ al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 5, pp. 244–245.
  43. ↑ al-Majdi fi Ansab al-Talibiyyin, p. 19; Musnad al-Imam al-Shahid (a), vol. 2, p. 107.
  44. ↑ Tarikh al-Tabari, vol. 7, p. 552.
  45. ↑ al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 5, pp. 439–441.
  46. ↑ al-Fakhri, p. 164.
  47. ↑ Tarikh al-Tabari, vol. 8, pp. 192–205.
  48. ↑ Kashf al-Ghumma, vol. 2, p. 205; Tarjama al-Imam al-Hasan (a) min al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, p. 91.
  49. ↑ al-Badʾ wa-l-Tarikh, vol. 5, p. 74.
  50. ↑ Tarikh al-Ya'qubi, vol. 2, p. 225; Tarikh Madinat Dimashq, vol. 7, p. 122.
  51. ↑ al-Durus al-Shar'iyya, vol. 2, p. 7.
  52. ↑ al-Bidaya wa-l-Nihaya, vol. 8, p. 43; Tarikh Ibn Khaldun, vol. 2, p. 649.
  53. ↑ al-Wafi bi-l-Wafayat, vol. 12, pp. 68–69.
  54. ↑ Tadhkirat al-Khawaṣṣ, p. 193.
  55. ↑ Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 44, p. 134.
  56. ↑ Rihlat Ibn Jubayr, p. 155; Madina-shinasi, p. 326.
  57. ↑ al-'Iqd al-Thamin, vol. 3, p. 396.
  58. ↑ Tuhfat al-Ahbab wa-Bulghat al-Tullab, pp. 271–272.
  59. ↑ Wafayat al-A'yan, vol. 7, p. 27.
  60. ↑ al-Tuhfa al-Latifa fi Tarikh al-Madina al-Sharifa, vol. 1, p. 46; Mawsu'at Mirʾat al-Haramayn, vol. 2, p. 426.
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