THE BIOGRAPHY OF IMAM AL-HASSAN AL-MUJTABA

[Taqavi]

What do we know about Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba's life?

 

Al-Hassan bin Ali bin Abi Talib (AS), the second Shia Imam, the eldest son of Imam Ali (AS) and Hazrat Fatima (SA), and the distinguished grandson of the Prophet (SAW), was born in the city of Medina[1] on the 15th of Ramadan in the third year of the Hijrah,[2] according to the famous reports. [3]

It is well-known among both Shia and Sunni sources that the names of Imam Al-Hassan and Imam Al-Hussain (AS) were chosen by the command of Allah and the instruction of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) [4]. [4] Some historical and hadith sources state that the people of the Arabian Peninsula were not previously familiar with the names "Hassan" and "Hussain," and these two names were revealed by Allah to the Prophet (SAW) so that he might bestow them upon the children of Ali (AS) and Fatima (SA) [5]. [5]

 

Kunya and Titles of Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba (AS)

The Kunya of Imam Al-Hassan (AS) is recorded as "Abu Muhammad," and no other Kunya is mentioned for him [6], [6] except for al-Khasibi, who mentioned "Abu al-Qasim" in addition to "Abu Muhammad" [7]. [7]

His titles include: Sibt Rasul Allah (Grandson of the Messenger of Allah), Rayhanat Nabi Allah (The Flower of the Prophet of Allah), Sayyid Shabab Ahl al-Jannah (Master of the Youth of Paradise), Qurrat Ayn al-Batul (The Delight of the Eye of al-Batul), Al-Alim (The Scholar), Mulham al-Haq (The Inspired by Truth), and Qa'id al-Khalq (Leader of Creation) [8]. [8] Some sources list other titles; for example, Ibn Shahrashub lists "The First Grandson, The Second Imam, The Third Role Model, The Fourth Remembrance, and The Fifth Participant in Mubahala" [9]. [9]

 

The Children of Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba (AS)

The number of Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba’s (AS) children is a subject of disagreement; Sheikh al-Mufid records it as 15 [10], [10] while Sheikh al-Tabarsi mentions 9 sons and 7 daughters [11]. [11] Among his daughters, Umm al-Hussain was the wife of Abdullah bin al-Zubayr, Umm Abdullah was the wife of Imam Al-Sajjad (AS), and Umm Salama was the wife of Amr bin Munzir [12]. [12]

Among the sons, only Al-Hassan al-Muthanna, Zayd, Umar, and Al-Hussain al-Athram had descendants. However, the lineages of Umar and Al-Hussain al-Athram soon became extinct, while the lineages of Al-Hassan al-Muthanna and Zayd continued [13]. [13] Their descendants are known as the Hasani Sayyids [14]. [14]

 

The Wives of Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba (AS)

According to historical sources, Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba (AS) had 13 wives [15]. [15] The most prominent among them was Khawla bint Manzur al-Fazari, the mother of Al-Hassan al-Muthanna, who remained his wife until the end of the Imam's life. Ja'dah bint al-Ash'ath al-Kindi caused the Imam's martyrdom by poisoning him [16]. [16] A’isha al-Khath’ami was divorced after a sarcastic remark regarding the caliphate [17]. [17] Other wives included Umm Kulthum, Umm Ishaq, Umm Bashir, Hind bint Abd al-Rahman, Zaynab bint Subay', and Nafilah (the mother of Al-Qasim) [18]. [18] These marriages played significant roles in the social and political alliances of that era.

 

Leadership and the Conflict with Muawiyah

After the martyrdom of Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (AS), Imam Al-Hassan (AS), as the successor and grandson of the Messenger of Allah, took over the leadership of the Ummah, and the people of Iraq pledged allegiance to him freely and without compulsion [19]. [19] This allegiance alarmed Muawiyah; he sent spies to Iraq, who were killed after their activities were exposed by the Imam’s officials [20]. [20] Following these events, correspondence took place between the Imam and Muawiyah, in which Muawiyah invited the Imam to pledge allegiance to him, claiming he was more capable of governing, even though the Imam’s virtues and kinship with the Prophet were hidden from no one [21]. [21]

With the failure of negotiations, Muawiyah prepared the Syrian army for battle [22], [22] and the Imam also called the people of Iraq to Jihad. However, the treachery of commanders [23] [23] and the disloyalty of the people—including some defecting to Muawiyah [24] [24] and others rebelling against the Imam—led to the Imam being wounded and forced to seek refuge in Mada'in [25]. [25]

In these circumstances, Imam Al-Hassan (AS) preferred ceasing the war over being killed at the hands of disloyal followers [26]. [26] He transferred the government to Muawiyah under conditions that protected the religion and the Shia [27]. [27] Nevertheless, the Imam used every opportunity to expose Muawiyah's corruption and lack of legitimacy. In a historical statement, he identified Muawiyah's lack of true faith, his family’s enmity toward Islam, his political betrayals, and his war against Ali (AS) as signs of his disbelief [28]. [28] Ultimately, Muawiyah, viewing the Imam’s status as a threat, martyred Imam Al-Hassan (AS) through trickery and conspiracy.

 

Martyrdom of Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba (AS)

Imam Al-Hassan (AS) was poisoned multiple times by Muawiyah’s agents [29] [29] and finally attained martyrdom through the poison administered by his wife, Ja'dah, at the instigation of Muawiyah [30]. [30] Ja'dah became the Imam's wife through the trickery of her father, Ash'ath [31], [31] and played a role in this crime due to family grudge [32]. [32] The Quraysh used to call Ja'dah's children "the sons of the one who poisons her husbands" [33]. [33] In his final moments, the Imam willed that if there was opposition to his burial next to the Prophet, conflict should be avoided [34]. [34]

 

Date of Martyrdom

Due to the poison administered at the instigation of Muawiyah and by his wife Ja'dah, Imam Al-Hassan Al-Mujtaba (AS) attained martyrdom on Thursday, the 28th of Safar, in the year 50 AH, at the age of 48 [35]. [35] However, there are discrepancies regarding the date and his age; some sources mention the end of Safar or early Rabi' al-Awwal in the year 49 or 50 AH, and his age as 47 or 48 [36]. [36]

 

 

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[1] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh al-Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 5 / Tahdhib al-Ahkam, Al-Sheikh Al-Tusi, Vol. 6, p. 39.

[2] . Kashf al-Ghummah fi Ma’rifat al-A’immah, Ibn Abi al-Fath al-Irbili, Vol. 2, p. 136 / I’lam al-Wara bi-A’lam al-Huda, Al-Sheikh al-Tabarsi, Vol. 1, p. 402 / Al-Kafi, Al-Sheikh al-Kulayni, Vol. 1, p. 461.

[3] . Manaqib Al Abi Talib, Ibn Shahrashub, Vol. 3, p. 191 / Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma’rifat al-Sahabah, Ibn al-Athir (Izz al-Din), Vol. 2, p. 10.

[4] . ‘Ilal al-Shara'i’, Al-Sheikh al-Saduq, Vol. 1, p. 137 / Al-Amali, Al-Sheikh al-Tusi, p. 367 / I’lam al-Wara bi-A’lam al-Huda, Al-Sheikh al-Tabarsi, Vol. 1, p. 411.

[5] . Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma’rifat al-Sahabah, Ibn al-Athir (Izz al-Din), Vol. 2, p. 9.

[6] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh al-Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 5 / Tarikh Madinat Dimashq, Ibn Asakir, Vol. 13, p. 172 / Kashf al-Ghummah, Ibn Abi al-Fath al-Irbili, Vol. 2, p. 139 / I’lam al-Wara, Al-Sheikh al-Tabarsi, Vol. 1, p. 402.

[7] . Al-Hidayah al-Kubra, Al-Khasibi (Husayn bin Hamdan), p. 183.

[8] . Alqab al-Rasul wa ‘Itratih, Al-Rawandi (Qutb al-Din), p. 52.

[9] . Manaqib Al Abi Talib, Ibn Shahrashub, Vol. 3, p. 172.

[10] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh al-Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 20.

[11] . I’lam al-Wara bi-A’lam al-Huda, Al-Sheikh al-Tabarsi, Vol. 1, p. 416.

[12] . Nasab Quraysh, Al-Zubayri (Mus'ab bin Abdullah), p. 50.

[13] . Kashf al-Ghummah, Ibn Abi al-Fath al-Irbili, Vol. 2, p. 198.

[14] . Al-Ansab, Al-Sam'ani (Abd al-Karim), Vol. 4, p. 159.

[15] . Hayat al-Imam al-Hasan bin Ali (AS): Dirasah wa Tahlil, Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, Vol. 2, pp. 455-460.

[16] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh al-Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 15.

[17] . Tarikh Madinat Dimashq, Ibn Asakir, Vol. 13, p. 251.

[18] . Hayat al-Imam al-Hasan bin Ali (AS): Dirasah wa Tahlil, Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, Vol. 2, p. 460.

[19] . Al-Imam al-Hasan bin Ali (AS): Shuja'at Qiyadah wa Hikmat Siyasah, Al-Sheikh Muhammad al-Sanad, p. 43.

[20] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh al-Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 9.

[21] . Sirat al-A'immah al-Ithna Ashar (AS), Hashim Ma'ruf al-Hasani, Vol. 1, p. 508.

[22] . Nasikh al-Tawarikh: Dar Ahwalat-e Hazrat-e Imam Hasan Mujtaba (AS), Sepehr (Muhammad Taqi Lisan al-Mulk), Vol. 1, pp. 199-200.

[23] . Sulh al-Hasan, Al-Sheikh Radi Al-Yasin, p. 115.

[24] . Al-Gharat, Al-Thaqafi al-Kufi (Ibrahim), Vol. 2, p. 644.

[25] . Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah, Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Vol. 16, pp. 41-42.

[26] . Al-Ihtijaj, Al-Tabarsi (Abu Mansur), Vol. 2, p. 10.

[27] . Al-Imam al-Hasan bin Ali (AS): Shuja'at Qiyadah wa Hikmat Siyasah, Al-Sheikh Muhammad al-Sanad, p. 71.

[28] . Nasikh al-Tawarikh: Dar Ahwalat-e Hazrat-e Imam Hasan Mujtaba (AS), Sepehr (Muhammad Taqi Lisan al-Mulk), Vol. 1, p. 259.

[29] . Ansab al-Ashraf, Al-Baladhuri, Vol. 3, p. 55.

[30] . Manaqib Al Abi Talib, Ibn Shahrashub, Vol. 3, p. 202.

[31] . Hayat al-Imam al-Hasan bin Ali (AS): Dirasah wa Tahlil, Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, Vol. 2, p. 458.

[32] . Al-Tuhfah al-Latifah fi Tarikh al-Madinah al-Sharifah, Al-Sakhawi (Shams al-Din), Vol. 1, p. 283.

[33] . Danishnamah-ye Jahan-e Islam (Encyclopedia of the World of Islam), Islamic Encyclopedia Foundation, p. 4692.

[34] . Tarikh al-Ya'qubi, Ahmad bin Abi Ya'qub, Vol. 2, p. 225.

[35] . Al-Irshad, Al-Sheikh al-Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 15.

[36] . Al-Isti'ab fi Ma'rifat al-Ashab, Ibn Abd al-Barr, Vol. 1, p. 389 / Bihar al-Anwar, Al-Allamah al-Majlisi, Vol. 44, p. 134 / Al-Durus al-Shar'iyyah fi Fiqh al-Imamiyyah, Al-Shahid al-Awwal, Vol. 2, p. 7 / Al-Ma'arif, Al-Dinawari (Ibn Qutaybah), p. 212.