Biography of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS) from Birth to Martyrdom

According to SAEDNEWS, TThe Sunni scholars consider him the last of the rightly-guided caliphs. Hasan bin Ali was the first son of Imam Ali (AS) and Fatimah Zahra (AS), and the first grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Historical reports state that the Prophet (PBUH) chose the name "Hasan" for him and loved him dearly. He spent seven years of his life with the Prophet (PBUH), participated in the Pledge of Ridwan, and was present at the event of Mubahala with the Christians of Najran.

The virtues of Imam Hasan (AS) are mentioned in both Shi'a and Sunni sources. He is one of the companions of the Cloak (Ahl al-Kisa), about whom the verse of Purification (Ayat al-Tathir) was revealed, and the Shi'ahs consider them infallible. The verses of Al-Ifraah, Al-Mawadda, and Mubahala were also revealed about him, his father, mother, and brother. He donated his entire wealth twice in the way of God and gave half of his possessions to the needy three times. It is said that due to these acts of charity, he was called the "Generous of the Household." He went to Hajj on foot 20 or 25 times.

There are few details about his life during the caliphates of the first and second caliphs. Upon the order of the second caliph, he was present as a witness in the six-member council for the election of the third caliph. There are also reports of his participation in some battles during the caliphate of the third caliph. During the late rebellion against the caliph Uthman, he was ordered by Imam Ali (AS) to protect the caliph’s house. During the caliphate of Imam Ali (AS), he went with him to Kufa and was a commander in the battles of Jamal and Siffin.

Birth of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS)

Imam Hasan (AS) was born on the night of the 15th of Ramadan in the 3rd year of Hijrah in Medina. He was the first son that God Almighty granted to the family of Ali and Fatimah. Immediately after his birth, the Messenger of God (PBUH) took him and recited the Adhan in his right ear and the Iqamah in his left ear. Then, he sacrificed a sheep for him, shaved his head, and gave away silver equal to the weight of his hair — which was one dirham and a little more — to the poor. The Prophet (PBUH) ordered that his head be perfumed, and from that time, the practice of Aqeeqah and giving charity equal to the weight of the newborn’s hair became a tradition. This newborn was named Hasan, a name which had no precedent in the era of Jahiliyyah. His kunyah (nickname) was Abu Muhammad, and this was his only kunyah.

Human Excellence and Virtues of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS)

The generous descendant of Muhammad (PBUH), Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS), was a person of great human excellence, the legacy of his father (AS) and a perfect example of his noble grandfather (PBUH). He embodied the highest qualities of humanity in his nature.

In terms of appearance, demeanor, character, and nobility, he greatly resembled the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Descriptions of him portray him as having a complexion that was white with a slight reddish hue, dark eyes, smooth cheeks, a thick beard, curly, thick hair, a silver-like neck, a well-proportioned body, broad shoulders, thick bones, a narrow waist, and a medium height — not too tall nor too short, with a charming and attractive face.

Imam Hasan (AS), one of the most devout and detached from worldly luxuries, performed Hajj on foot 25 times. Whenever he thought of death or the grave, he would weep. When reminded of standing for judgment, he would cry out loud until he fainted, and when he recalled Heaven and Hell, he would writhe in agony. He often asked God for Heaven and sought refuge from the fire of Hell. His body would tremble and his color would turn pale whenever he made ablution and stood for prayer. He distributed his wealth for the sake of God three times, once giving away all his possessions and twice giving away half. Anyone who met him held him in great esteem, and anyone who spent time with him grew to love him. His words were so powerful that both friends and enemies would pause to listen to him and wait for him to finish his sermon. His patience and forgiveness were as great as mountains.

Many stories and reports recount his generosity. One famous story is about his journey to Hajj with Imam Hussein (AS) and Abdullah bin Ja'far when they lost all their provisions and arrived at a tent where an old woman lived. She fed them milk from her only sheep and gave them food. When they were leaving, they told her they were from the Quraysh and were on their way to Hajj, promising to treat her kindly upon their return. Years later, when Imam Hasan (AS) saw her in Medina, he recognized her. He approached her and said, "Do you remember me?" She replied, "No." He told her, "I am the one who visited you on such-and-such a day," and ordered that a thousand sheep and a thousand dinars be given to her. He then sent her to his brother Imam Hussein (AS) and Abdullah bin Ja'far, who also gave her the same amount.

Wives and Children of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS)

Enemies and biased historians have fabricated stories about the number of wives of Imam Hasan (AS), and even some of his innocent companions have woven tales. However, accurate historical records mention the following wives: Umm al-Hakim, daughter of Talhah bin Ubayd Allah; Hafsah, daughter of Abdul Rahman bin Abu Bakr; Hind, daughter of Suhayl bin Amr; and Ja'dah, daughter of Ash'ath bin Qays. It is not remembered that the number of his wives exceeded eight or ten according to different narrations, including his slave women (Umm Walad), who gave birth to his children and were freed upon their master's death. Imam Hasan (AS) had 15 children, both sons and daughters, including Zayd, Hasan al-Athram, Amr, Qasim, Abdullah, Abdul Rahman, Talhah, Umm al-Hasan, Umm al-Hussein, Fatimah, Umm Salamah, Ruqayyah, Umm Abdullah, and Fatimah. His lineage survived through his two sons, Hasan and Zayd, and claims of descent from other children are not accurate.

The Imposed Peace of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS) with Muawiya

Finally, the same factors that had prevented Imam Ali (AS) and his army from defeating Muawiya came into play again, and peace was imposed upon Imam Hasan (AS). The circumstances surrounding Imam Hasan (AS) became such that no other option remained but to make peace with Muawiya. Although Imam Hasan (AS) resisted, he finally agreed to peace when his supporters dispersed and abandoned him.

Muawiya, seeing the situation favorable, proposed peace to Imam Hasan (AS). Imam Hasan (AS) addressed his army, encouraging them to either fight or make peace, urging them to choose one of these paths. Many wanted peace, while others mocked the Imam (AS). Eventually, Imam Hasan (AS) accepted the peace proposal. However, it was clear that Muawiya, a man of broken promises, would not honor the peace terms for long. Eventually, Muawiya’s true nature and his breaches...