Hasan bin ‘Ali رضي الله عنه

His Character

He did not only resemble his grandfather, Muhammed bin ‘Abdullah(SAW) in appearance, he also resembled him in many of his characteristics; for he was generous, gentle, courageous, God-Fearing, pious, awe-inspiring, a scholar, knowledgeable in Islamic Jurisprudence, and an orator who could seize people’s hearts.

His Generosity and Kindness

He was extremely generous and one does not find the virtue of generosity in a person without finding it to be accompanied by the noblest virtues, nor does one find miserliness in a person without finding it to be accompanied by the most wretched and lowly traits. He was famous for his generosity and kindness; he would give a single man a hundred dirhams.

Abu Ishap Harithah bin Mudarrib(RA) reported on the authority of ‘Ali(RA) that he delivered a sermon to the people, then he said: “Your brother’s son, Hasan bin ‘Ali(RA) has collected some money and he wishes to distribute it among you.” So the people came and Hasan(RA) stood up and said “I have only collected it for the poor,” so half of the people stood up and the first of those who took from him was Al-Ash’ath bin Quais.” [From Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah]

He used to say: “Fulfilling the need of my brother is dearer to me than spending a month in seclusion in the mosque (I’tikaf).

Sa’eed bin ‘Abdul-’Aziz(RA) said: “Hasan(RA) heard a man at his side supplicating Allah to give him ten thousand dirhams, he went to his house and sent the money to him.”

It was reported that Hasan(RA) saw a black slave eating a morsel of flat bread and he was feeding a dog with it and he said to him: “What made you do this?” He said: “I am embarrassed to eat without feeding him.” Hasan(RA) said to him: “Don’t leave your place until I come to you.” Then he went to the boy’s owner and bought him and he bought the garden in which he was and he freed him and gave him the garden. [From Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah]

His Piety

He was extremely God-fearing and pious, most careful to try to please his Lord. He used to read Surat Al-Kahf every night before sleeping; he would read it form a tablet which accompanied him wherever he went, after lying down on his bed and prior to sleeping. [From Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah]

He performed Hajj twenty-five times on foot. Ibn ‘Abbas(RA) said: “I have not regretted anything which I missed during my youth, except that I did not perform Hajj on foot; Hassan(RA) performed Hajj on foot twenty-five times.” [From Tarikh Ib 'Asakir]

His Gentleness

He was extremely gentle towards anyone who wronged him or behaved ignorantly towards him. Juwairiyyah bin Asma’(RA) said that when Hasan(RA) died, Marwan cried over him at his funeral and Hussain(RA) said to him: “Would you cry for him after all the problems you caused him?” He said: “I behaved so towards one who was more enduring than that,” and he pointed to the mountain.” [From Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah]

Marwan used to treat Hasan(RA) badly but Hasan(RA) behaved with gentleness towards him, bearing his ignorance like a mountain; and he responded thus towards anyone who behaved ignorantly towards him. Some claimed that he had handed over the Caliphate to Mu’awiyah(RA) out of cowardice, but he did not respond except with that which is a good deed. What gentleness is greater than this that he gave up the Caliphate, which was his by right, due to fear of spilling the blood of the Muslims? He used to say: “I did not wish to have power over the nation of Muhammed at the cost of spilling the Muslim’s blood.

His Courage

Hasan(RA) did not avoid war due to cowardice Allah forbade that he should be accused of cowardice; as we have said, it was due to his fear that he might bear the burden of the killings of any Muslim. But when there was no alternative to war, he was a valiant warrior and a stout-hearted fighter. He was one of those who hastened to support ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan(RA) during the says of rebellion and he fought with his father against the Khawarij and he participated in man battles. But his refusal to fight against Mu’awiyah required greater courage than any war would have required. Many leaders embark upon war not because they are courageous, but because of their greed for material gain and their desire for personal glory even if the blood of their people flows in rivers.

His Fear of Allah

He was extremely pious, ever mindful of the fact Allah was observing him and extremely fearful of His Anger and how could he not be, when he was a graduate from the Prophetic School, for he had been instructed in piety by the Messenger of Allah(SAW) from childhood.

It is reported on the authority of Abul-Hawra’(RA) that he said to Hasan bin ‘Ali(RA): “What do you remember from the Messenger of Allah(SAW)?” He said: “I remember that I took a date from the dates which he intended for Sadaqah and I keep it in my mouth and he removed it along with the saliva accompanying it and placed it with the dates for Sadaqah and it was said: “Oh Messenger of Allah(SAW)! What was your objection to this date?” He replied: “We are the family of Muhammed and it is not permissible for us to take Sadaqah.” And he used to say: “Leave what makes you doubt in favor of what does not make you doubt, for truthfulness brings peace of mind, while lies cause doubt and uncertainty.” [Reported by At-Timidhi]

This is why when a man heard Hasan(RA) confiding in his Lords and he was crying, he said to him: “Do you fear Allah’s punishment, when you have the means of salvation? You are the son of the Messenger of Allah(SAW) and you are deserving of intercession and Allah’s Mercy, which encompasses everything.” Hasan(RA) replied: “As for me being the son of the Messenger of Allah(SAW), Allah says: “Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them on that Day, nor will they ask of one another.” [Surat Al-Mu'minum 23:101]

As for the intercession, Allah, the Most Glorified, the Most High says: “Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshiped but He), Al-Hayyal-Qayyum (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists). Neither slumber not sleep overtakes Him, To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.” [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:255 (Ayatul-Kursi) ]

And as for the Mercy which encompasses all things, Allah says: “Ans ordain for us good in this world, and in the Hereafter. Certainly we have turned unto You.” He said: (As to) My punishment I afflict therewith whom I will and My Mercy embraces all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who are the Mutaqqun (the pious) and give Zakat; and those who believe in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs and revelations, etc.).” [Surat Al-A'raf 7:156]

Conclusion

The personality of Hasan bin ‘Ali(RA) presents for us a combination of good character and fine temperament that Islam wants every Muslim to acquire. Through this book, we become familiar with some of his qualities that are not very difficult to adopt.

Hasan bin ‘Ali(RA) was the greatest of people well known for his praiseworthy character, his adherence to the truth, his courage, bravery and determination. He was famous for his generosity and kindness, he was extremely gentle towards anyone who wronged him or behaved ignorantly towards him; he did not respond except with a good deed. What gentleness is greater than this that due to fear of spilling the blood of the Muslims, he gave up the caliphate which was his by right.

One of the greatest things about him was the lack of importance which he attached to material things. He was very pious, ever mindful of the fact Allah was observing him and extremely fearful of His Anger. He neither became angry nor annoyed. He was a scholar, knowledgeable in Islamic Jurisprudence, and an orator who could seize people’s hearts. Most of the time, he was silent and when he spoke, he was the best.

Source: These were some sections taken from the chapter Hasan bin ‘Ali from the book Child Companions around the Prophet(SAW) compiled by the Darussalam Research Division, translated by Sameh Strauch.