Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (a .s)

Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba (a.s.) was the second Apostolic Imam of the Shia' Muslims. The Holy Prophet particularly loved the son of Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (a.s.), the successor to the Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hassan (a.s.). He was born on the 15th of Ramadhan in the city of Medina in 3 AH. The Prophet himself gave the name Imam Hassan (a.s.). On his birth, the Prophet uttered the azan in Imam Hassan's (a.s.) right ear and the Iqamah in his left. He then proclaimed that this first grandson would stop the bloodshed among the ummah.

During his lifetime, people noticed that the Prophet showed much affection towards Imam Hassan (a.s.). Once the Holy Prophet found himself in Sujud (prostration) and he extended this. When he completed his prayer someone asked him why he had extended the time in prostration. The Prophet replied that Imam Hassan (a.s.) was playing on his shoulder and he did not want to upset his grandson's enjoyment.

An Arab Bedouin once saw the Prophet kissing Imam Hassan (a.s.) and asked him why he showed all this love and affection towards the child. "I have over ten children", said the Bedouin, "and have never kissed any of them". The Prophet replied, "What can I do for you when your heart is cut like a stone".

Through his love for Imam Hassan (a.s.) the Prophet gave a practical example of love and kindness towards children. Today, perhaps it is more important than ever to show kindness and affection towards children and to raise them in an atmosphere that will result in a stable environment and create a better society.

Imam Husayn (a.s.) was not much younger than Imam Hassan (a.s.) in terms of age and had very high respect for Imam Hassan (a.s.) both in private life and in public. In private life, once Imam Hassan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.), along with a near relative, found themselves in the desert. An old Bedouin couple served them food and drink when they needed it. The thankful Imam Hassan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) told the couple that if they ever found themselves in Medina they should ask about them, the grandsons of the Prophet, and, Inshallah, both men would be at their service.

It subsequently transpired that this couple found themselves in Medina and without money. They were badly off and remembered the words of Hasan and Husayn. So they enquired of them and decided to visit them. Imam Hasan gave an amount of money and then instructed the couple to go to Husayn to receive further help. They did so. Husayn gave them a little less and when later it was enquired of him as to why, he replied, "I neither want to be equal in generosity to Hasan nor above him". This is the level of respect Husayn had for his elder brother. In public and political life, when Imam Hasan agreed to solh with Muawiyah, history does not mention any objection from Husayn to whatever Hasan decided. Husayn recognised Hasan not only as his brother but, also as the Infallible Imam.

The period of Hasan's Imamate lasted ten years. On the 21st of Ramadhan in the 40th Islamic year, Imam Hasan read the sermon announcing the death of his dear father, Imam Ali. At the same time he announced, in accordance with Divine Will, his own leadership both as temporal leader of the Muslim realm and as the second Infallible Imam. However, in resistance to him the people of Damascus vainly accepted the leadership of Muawiyah, a scornful enemy of the Prophet Muhammad and his progeny. Muawiyah was a product of the forces that aligned themselves till eternity as the enemies of Islam. He was also the father of the cruel despot, Yezid, who was responsible for the slaughter of the Prophet's kith and kin on the bloodstained plains of Karbala. Muawiyah was a clever politician, having gained prominence through treachery, lies and deceit, as well as through nepotism shown by some of the earlier caliphs. Now that he was in power he intrigued against Imam Hasan to the extent that the people began to be persuaded by the false propaganda against the Prophet's pure household.
 

Imam Hasan rose against the might of the Umayyad dynasty but was let down by his own disparate and disunited forces. At the same time he had to contend with intrigue within his own army to the extent that a group known as the Khawarij spread false rumours that created doubt in people's minds about the position of the Holy Family. Thus, Hasan was forced to accept a treaty with Muawiyah in order to save Islam. If Hasan had not accepted this proposal, however disdainful, the clear line between those who are sincere and those whose very existence is based upon lies and deceit would not have been known. The blood of Hasan and the Muslims would have been shed in vain. Thus, Imam Hasan showed that the Islam of the Umayyads would be one of tyranny and have no relation to the true Islam of the Prophet, his household and their followers. Imam Hasan said, "The Arabs were at my will and would have done as I pleased, but for the sake of pleasing Allah and saving the descendants of Muhammad I did not claim the Caliphate".

By: Shaykh Fadhil Sahlani