Hasan bin Ali(RA)

Over break I had the opportunity to re-read some of my favorite books. I have many favorite books but my two favorites (as of now) are Great Women’s of Islam and Child Companions Around the Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him). I love the stories from Child Companions Around the Prophet, they always put a smile on my face and make me wish that I was alive during the time of the Sahabiyah-khayr Allah does everything for a reason. Here’s juss some information about Hasan bin Ali(RA) that was given in the book. (*Note-any mistakes that you may find are mine, May Allah forgive me for any that I make/made.)

Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib was the son of Hazrat Ali(RA) and Fatimah Az-Zahrah(RA). Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib(RA) was the first boy to accept Islam, dearly loved by the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him), and the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) took him into his care from at such a young age that he never worshiped an idol. His mother, Fatimah Az-Zahrah(RA) was the most loved daughter of the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him), she was pious, pure, and sincere. She was loved so much that the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Fatimah is a part of me, whatever makes her doubt makes me doubt, ad whatever harms her harms me,” [Usdul-Ghabah]. Hasan(RA) was actually the first person to have the name Hasan-meaning good, the name wasn’t even known during the time of the Jahaliyyah(the period before Islam).It is said that, “Allah saved the names Hasan and Husain until the Prophet(peace and blessings be upon him) called his two sons, Hasan and Husain by them,” [Usdul-Ghabah volume 2].

Hasan(RA) and the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) had such an amazing relationship. The Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) helped raise Hasan(RA), the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) called the Adhan in his ear, and chewed a piece of date and put parts of its juice in his mouth (Tahnik). The Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) also was the one who named him, originally he was Ja’far and then the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) changed it to Hasan. Hasan(RA) was so close to the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) that he would call him by saying “Oh my father,” even in the presence of his own father Ali(RA). The Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) was always patient with him,when the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) was in prayer Hasan(RA) would play on his back while he was in Sajdah and he would remain in Sajdah until Hasan(RA) got off, when he was asked about it the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) said that I didn’t want to rush his play time, I wanted to wait until he was done playing. Anas(RA) reported that the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) was asked “Which memeber of you family is dearest to you?” and he said, “Hasan and Husain,” and he uses to sniff and embrace them [At-Tirmidhi].

Hasan(RA) reminded the people of the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) in both appearance and in his characteristics. Az-Zuhri reported that Anas(RA) said: “The nearest of them in resemblance to the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) was Hasan bin Ali,” [At-Tirmidhi] After the death of the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him) the people would look at Hasan(RA) and be filled with the love that they had for the Prophet(peace and blessing be upon him). Abu Hurrairah(RA) used to say: “I never saw Hasan(RA) without my eyes filling with tears.” Hasan(RA) was generous, gentle, courageous,God Fearing, and pious. He was also graceful, handsome, dignified, pious and modest. Hasan(RA) knew much about Islamic law and very knowledgeable he once said, “I will inform you about a brother of mine who was the greatest of people in my view; and one of the greatest things about him in my view was the lack of importance which he attached to material things. He was not ruled by his stomach and did not desire that which he had not, and when he had something, he would not take much of it. He was not ruled by his ignorance and would not extend his hand except to one whom he was sure would benefit from it, not would he take a single step except towards that which he gathered a group of scholars, he was more keen to listen than to speak. Most of the time, he was silent and when he spoke, he was the best speaker. H was not careless of unmindful of his brothers and would not keep anything to himself without sharing it with them.”

Hasan(RA) was poisoned, it is reported that he said, “I have tasted poison many times, but I have never tasted a worse poison than this.” The poison was deadly and physicians at the time said that Hasan(RA)’s intestines were all cut up as a result of the poison. His brother Husain(RA) came to his side and asked him who did this to him, Hasan(RA) said that he might have an idea of who it might be, but he didn’t want to take the chance of killing an innocent man so he never told Husain(RA) the name. Hasan(RA) wished to be buried in Hazrat Aishah(RA)’s house so that he can be close to his grandfather but Marwan and some people from the Banu Umaiyyah tribe prevented him from being buried there. His brother Husain(RA) wanted to fight them but did not because he remembered his brother telling him not to shed any blood over the matter. Hasan(RA) died at the age of 47 in the year 49AH and is buried in Al-Baqi Cementary- may Allah have mercy on him.

Revised 1/29/08.