Imam Hassan – Carving peace for the sake of unity

SHAFAQNA - Imam Hassan Ibn Ali (Arabic: الحسن بن علي بن أبي طالب‎) (born March 4, 625 CE (Ramadan 15th, 3 AH) – martyred March 9 or 30, 670 CE (Safar 7th or 28th, 50 AH) is an important figure in Islam. He is the son of Imam Ali (PBUH) and Lady Fatimah (PBUH). After his father’s martyrdom, he briefly succeeded him as the Caliph and leader of Muslims. Hassan ibn Ali (PBUH) is 2nd Imam of Shia Muslims. Imam Hassan is also highly respected by the Sunni as the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

According to Shia and Sunni sources, the Prophet (PBUH), upon the birth of his first grandson, was ordered by the archangel Gabriel to name him Hassan – a name not used in the pre-Islamic period. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also honored his grandson by reciting the Adhān in his right ear, the Iqāmah in his left ear, shaving his head, and sacrificing a ram for the sake of his birth. He grew up in a unique family, his mother was the best woman in the world and his father was the greatest man after the prophet Muhammad (PBUH), so he was taught best morals.

 

As a growing youth, Hassan (PBUH) saw his father on the battlefield defending Islam as well as preaching to a vast congregation of believers on the occasion of hajj and as a missionary of Islam to Yemen before retreating to a passive role in the matters of the state during the period of the first three caliphs after the demise of his grandfather, Prophet Muhammad. There are also Hadith that state that Hassan (PBUH) and Hussain (PBUH) are the Masters of the youth in paradise and Hassan (PBUH) and his brother Hussain (PBUH) are Imams “whether they sit or stand”. Imam Hassan (PBUH) is one of five persons included in the Hadith of the Cloak. He is said to have been the first of the Prophet’s family to enter Yemeni Kisa after Prophet Muhammad and to have walked hand in hand with the Prophet as a child to testify to the truth of Islam at Mubahila.

Hassan (PBUH) was one of the guards defending Othman Ibn Affan when the attackers climbed a wall and went around him and killed Othman Ibn Affan.

When the third caliph was murdered by protesters in his palace in Mad’mah, finally people understood no one couldn’t be better than Imam Ali (PBUH) to lead them, thus, Imam Ali was elected to lead the Muslims. Hassan (PBUH) assisted his father: he went to Kufa and raised an army against the dissenting Muslims, then participated actively in the battles of Basra, Siffin and Nahrawan alongside his father, demonstrating skill both as a soldier and a leader.

Caliphate

Upon the martyrdom of Imam Ali (PBUH) in Kufa a new caliph had to be elected. According to Imam Ali’s appointment before his martyrdom the choice was restricted to Hassan (PBUH) and his younger brother Hussain (PBUH). So Kufi Muslims gave their allegiance to Imam Hassan (PBUH) without dispute. Shia believes in Imam Hassan (PBUH) as the second Imam, However, many Sunni Muslim historians, such as Suyuti, Ibn al-Arabi, and Ibn Kathir accept Hassan Ibn Ali (PBUH) as the last such caliph.

however, Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, who had a long-running dispute with Imam Ali (PBUH), and always have been against the truth and verity not only didn’t give allegiance to Imam Hassan (PBUH), but summoned the commanders of his forces in Syria, Palestine, and Transjordan to join him in preparation for battle against Imam Hassan. There was no choice, thus the Imam gathered his army to defend. The two armies faced each other near Sabat. Imam Hassan (PBUH) wanted his men to follow his orders even if they did not agree with them. Some of the troops, taking this as a sign that Imam Hassan was preparing to give up battle, rebelled and attacked him. Imam Hassan (PBUH) was wounded but loyal soldiers surrounded him and managed to kill the mutineers. On the other hand, since Muawyah was so miscreant, offered large sums of money and promises of vast properties and governorships of provinces to commanders of Imam Hassan’s army. Those commanders, who hadn’t deep faith, fooled by properties and not only they left the Imam but also they took their army and just some companions of Imam stayed beside him.

In this situation, fight was not the right choice. Imam Hassan (PBUH) knew his army is not enough to fight against Muawyah, in addition, engagement of Muslims in a battle against each other would mean a loss of many: Muawiyah also had his concerns about being forced into a battle thus, he sent two men from the Quraysh tribe to negotiate a settlement. It is mentioned in Sahih Al Bokhari, Volume 3, Book 49 (Peacemaking), Number 867: Narrated by Al-Hassan Al-Basri

Muawiya sent two Quraysh men from the tribe of ‘Abd-i-Shams called ‘Abdu Rahman bin Sumura and Abdullah bin ‘Amir Bin Kuraiz to Imam Hassan “Go to this man (i.e. Imam Hassan (PBUH)) and negotiate peace with him and talk and appeal to him.” So, they went to Imam Hassan and talked and appealed to him to accept peace. Imam Hassan (PBUH) said, “We, the offspring of ‘Abdul Muttalib, have got wealth and people have indulged in killing and corruption (and money only will appease them).” They said to Imam Hassan, “Muawiya offers you so and so, and appeals to you and entreats you to accept peace.” Imam Hassan (PBUH) said to them, “But who will be responsible for what you have said?” They said,“We will be responsible for it.” So, what-ever Imam Hassan asked they said, “We will be responsible for it for you.” So, Imam Hassan (PBUH) concluded a peace treaty with Muawiya. Hassan Al-Basri said: “I heard Abu Bakr said, “I saw Allah’s Apostle on the pulpit and Hassan bin Ali was by his side. The Prophet was looking once at the people and once at Hassan bin Ali saying, ‘This son of mine is a Sayid (i.e. a noble) and may Allah make peace between two big groups of Muslims through him.”

Imam Hassan (PBUH) therefore made the Imam Hassan–Muawiya treaty with Muawiyah but under some conditions.

Shia scholars quote Hadith from later Shia Imams to the effect that Imam Hassan lacked the support to fight and win, so he ceded power to Muawiya.

Muawiyah did not comply with the terms of the treaty, saying to the people of Kufa, “do you think I have taken power to teach you? No, I have taken power and if any one of you tries to disagree with me he shall pay the costly price of the loss of his head.” He carried out his ambition of keeping the power in his family by nominating his son Yazid as caliph after him.

 

Some conditions of agreement

• Imam Hasaan asked Muawiah to follow Quran and the tradition of the prophet. However, when Muawiyah returned to Kufa said to the people:

 

إني واللّه ما قاتلتكم لتصلّوا ولا لتصوموا ولا لتحجّوا ولا لتزكوا إنّكم لتفعلون ذلك. وإنّما قاتلتكم لأتأمّر عليكم، وقد أعطاني اللّه ذلك وأنتم كارهون

 

“I didn’t sign agreement to make you pray, pay Zakat, go Hajj, no, but just to rule and patronize you.”

كل شرط شرطته فتحت قدمى

“Now, All conditions (between him and Imam Hassan) is under my feet (have no value anymore)”

• Imam Hassan (PBUH) said Muawiyah is not permitted to state Caliph after himself and Caliphate belongs to Imam Hassan. However after awhile Muawiyah stated Yazid as next Caliph by forcing, treating and killing people.
• Imam Hassan (PBUH) said Muawiyah ought not to insult or dishonor Imam Ali (pbuh). But Muawiyah in his first travel to Medina ordered to insult Imam Ali (pbuh) after each prayer and made it a tradition among Muslims.
• Imam Hassan (PBUH) wants Muawiyah to respect to the Shia (Muslim followers of Imam Ali (PBUH)) rights and leave them in peace and safety.

As it was expected, Muawiyah ordered to kill shia Muslims wherever they were found, even if two people testify someone is shia, that person should be killed. Also he ordered to kill every baby or child who was named Ali.

 

Imam Hassan (PBUH) returned to Medina. He lacked his moral support and had a hard time during his stay there after the peace treaty, with taunts and abuse from some of Muawiyah’s followers and the anger of his supporters for having relinquished the caliphate.

He donated all his belongings completely twice in his lifetime. Also, he divided his property between himself and the poor people equally three times. He was famous in modesty, generosity, munificence, science and knowledge, bravery and many positive moral points.

Martyrdom

Hassan ibn Ali (PBUH) martyred in Medina either on Safar 7th or 28th, 50 AH. He is buried at the famous Jannat Al-Baqee cemetery across from the Masjid al-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet). According to historians, Muawiyah wished to pass the caliphate to his own son Yazid, and saw Imam Hassan as an obstacle. According to the Shia sources and some Sunni sources he secretly contacted Imam Hassan’s wife, Ja’da bint al-Ash’ath Ibn Qays, and incited her to poison her husband. Ja’da did as Muawiyah suggest, giving her husband poison mixed with honey when he came back home for Iftar(Muslims Iftar to finish fast).

Ja’da was promised gold and marriage to Yazid. Seduced by the promise of wealth and power, she poisoned her husband, and then hastened to the court of Muawiyah in Damascus to receive her reward. Muawiyah reneged on his promises and married her to another man.

Also Sadi Khazraji has quoted that Tabari has narrated:

وفي تاريخ الطبري أن الحسن بن علي رضي الله عنهما مات مسموما في أيام معاوية وكان عند معاوية كما قيل دهاء فدس إلى جعدة بنت الأشعث بن قيس وكانت زوجة الحسن رضي الله عنه شربة وقال لها إن قتلت الحسن زوجتك بيزيد. فلما توفي الحسن بعثت إلى معاوية تطلب قوله فقال لها في الجواب أنا أضن بيزيد.

“It is written in Tarikh Al-Tabari that Hassan ibn Ali (PBUH) was poisoned in Muawieh era. Muawieh who was clever sent syrup to Ja’da bint al-Ash’ath, Imam Hassan’s wife, secretly and told her if you kill Hassan (PBUH), I will take you to marry with Yazid.

When Hassan (PBUH) passed away, she sent someone to Moawieh to fulfill his promise, Moawieh respond her: I’m jealous about Yazid( I don’t give him to everyone)”

(Al-Sadi Al-Khazraji, Oyoon Al-Anba fi Tabaghat Al-Atba, volume1, page 174)

However, unfortunately, this narration does not exist in new prints of the book Tarikh Al-Tabari and it is omitted from it by some Sunni depositaries.

Imam Hassan (PBUH) had asked for his body to be taken to the prophet’s grave, so that he could pay his last respect, and then to be buried near his mother Lady Fatima (PBUH) (the daughter of the Prophet). This caused armed opposition. As the funeral proceeded towards the grave of Prophet Muhammad some Umayyad mounted on horses obstructed it. Aisha bint Abu Bakr (one of the Prophet’s wives) appeared, riding a mule and shouting that the grave of Muhammad (PBUH) was in her house and she would not allow the grandson of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (the first wife of the Prophet and mother of Lady Fatimah) to be buried beside the Prophet. Then a shower of arrows fell on the coffin.

Marwan was the governor of Medina at the time and objected on the grounds that Othman had not been allowed to be buried.

There is a detailed account of the events in Ibn Katheer’s book Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah:

“It is narrated that Jabir bin ‘Abdullah saw Hassan Ibn Ali (PBUH) on the day of his martyrdom. Conflict almost broke out between Hassan Ibn Ali (PBUH) and Marwan Ibn Hakam after Imam Hassan (PBUH) instructed his brother to bury him with the Messenger of Allah, but if some battle or mishap were to occur because of it then he should be buried in Janat Al-Baqi. Marwan objected to allowing Imam Hassan (PBUH) to be buried with the Messenger. In fact Marwan never ceased to be the enemy of the Banu Hashim tribe until his death. As Jabar recalls:”That day I spoke to Hussain bin Ali (PBUH), I said: O Abu Abdullah! Fear Allah for your brother did not like to see conflict. Therefore bury him in al-Baqi with his mother, so he did”

Imam Hussain (PBUH), fulfilling the last wish of his brother, turned the procession of the funeral towards Jannat al-Baqi, the general graveyard of Medina, where he was buried. According to one version Marwan asked Prophet Muhammad’s wife Aisha also to allow his relative Othman ibn Affan to be buried beside the Prophet, but Aisha refused Marwan’s request. No one else was buried beside the Prophet in Aisha’s house.

“Marwan Al-Ḥakam, who had been deposed the year before, swore that he would not allow Imam Hassan to be buried next to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) with Abu Bakr and Omar as long as Othman was buried in al-Baqi … Muawiyah eventually rewarded Marwan for his stand by reappointing him governor of Medina ”

After Imam Hassan’s martyrdom his Iraqi followers wrote to Imam Hussain (PBUH) pledging allegiance and proposing to remove Muawiya. However, Imam Hussain refused, choosing to abide by the treaty between Hassan Ibn Ali (PBUH) and Muawiyah, which could not be broken at that time.

The shrine containing Imam Hassan’s tomb was destroyed in 1925 during the conquest of Medina by Al-Saud tribes (Wahabis). This was part of a general destruction of memorials in cemeteries for religious reasons. In the eyes of Wahabis, historical sites and shrines encourage “shirk” (the sin of idolatry or polytheism) and should be destroyed.

Or course such memorials and pilgrimage represent not idolatry but a form of prayer – a symbol of God’s Grace and Mercy as through His appointed Imams He has shown humanity a path.