Mar 25
Birth of Hazrat Hasan Ibn Ali (RA)
Monday 15 Ramadan, 1445
Mar 25
Monday 15 Ramadan, 1445
Hazrat Hasan Ibn Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) is the eldest beloved grandson of our last Prophet (ﷺ). He is the son of two highly noble personalities in Islam: Ali ibn Talib, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the fourth Caliph of Islam, and Fatima binte Muhammad, the youngest and beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Hazrat Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was the son of Abu Talib, who was the Prophet's beloved uncle and played a major role in the upbringing of our Prophet (ﷺ). Since Muhammad (ﷺ) didn't have any son who could continue his (ﷺ) lineage, the birth of Hazrat Hasan's birth marks the continuation of the blessed lineage of Muhammad (ﷺ).
Hazrat Hasan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was born on the 15th of Ramadan in the year 3 AH in Madinah. This was a time when Muslims migrated to Madinah and were settling themselves after years of struggles and hardships in Makkah. Hazrat Hasan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was the eldest son of Imam Ali and Fatima binte Muhammad and the elder brother of Hazrat Hussain (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Hazrat Zainab (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا). For seven years of his young life, Hazrat Hasan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) grew up in close proximity to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), learning from his (ﷺ) wisdom.
Prophet (ﷺ) selected the name al-Hasn for his beloved grandson, which means 'beautiful' in Arabic. He was known by the Ahl Bayt by many names, including al-Mujtaba, al-Sayyid, al-Zaki, and Rayhanat Nabi Allah (The flower of the Prophet of God).
Hazrat Hasan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was the son of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, a man known for his courage, wisdom, and as Asad Allah (Lion of God). His mother, Hazrat Fatimah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا), is the leader of the women of Paradise. His grandfather is the most beloved to Allah - the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). He was part of Ahl al-Bayt (the family of Prophet ﷺ), and due to this, he has a special place not only in this duniya but also hereafter. Hazrat Hasan and his brother Hazrat Hussain (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) are known as the two leaders of the young adults of Paradise.
While the accounts of his family differ, the most authentic sources report that Hazrat Hasan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) had six wives, namely Hafsa bint Abd al-Rahman, Hind bint Suhayl, Ja'da bint al-Ash'ath, Khawla bint Manzur, Umm Bashir bint Abi Mas'ud, and Umm Ishaq bint Talha. From these wives, he reportedly had 15 sons and 9 daughters. The names of his children are:
The names of his other sons are not known. Historians do not agree on the number of his children; the number varies between 12 and 20.
The love of Prophet (ﷺ) towards his grandsons was immense, and he always treated them with care. When the Prophet (ﷺ) received the good news of the birth of his grandson, he was very happy and overjoyed. He personally performed the Islamic tradition of Tahnik, where he softened a date and rubbed it on the palate of the newborn, made dua for him, and named him 'Hassan.' Prophet (ﷺ) sacrificed a ram for Hassan, and Fatima (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) shaved Hasan's head and donated the weight of his hair in silver.
Hasan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was just seven years old when Rasool Allah (ﷺ) passed away. Until that time, Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Hussain (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) were raised in his (ﷺ) home. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) loved his grandsons wholeheartedly. In a hadith narrated by Ya'la Al-Amir:
"Hassan and Hussain came running to the Prophet (ﷺ), and he embraced them and said: 'Children make a man a miser and a coward." (Sunan Ibn Majah 3666, Book 33, Hadith 10)
In another hadith describing the love of the Prophet (ﷺ) for his grandsons, Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrates: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever loves Hasan and Husain, loves me; and whoever hates them, hates me." (Sunan Ibn Majah 143, Book 1, Hadith 143)
Hazrat Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) resembled his grandfather, Muhammad (ﷺ) in both appearance and character. He (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was known for his patience, generosity, humility, and wisdom. Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was kind towards others, just like his grandfather. He was committed to justice, and that made him a highly respected person of his time.
He (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) performed more than one hajj on his foot. He feared Allah so much that whenever death or grave was mentioned, he wept. He would always make dua to Allah to make him enter Paradise and to protect him from the Hell Fire. Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was so polite and gentle while talking or delivering a speech that his enemies would also listen to him with attention. He was very kind towards others, especially the poor, and was loved by the people around him.
From the life of Hazrat Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) we learned the importance of nurturing family ties and raising righteous children. He (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was raised in the blessed home of Rasool Allah (ﷺ) by his daughter and cousin, who shaped Hassan's (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) moral values and helped him become a man who was kind, loving, and brave.
He was a man who feared Allah and always practiced patience and forgiveness, even in the most challenging times. When a family member of Muhammad (ﷺ) who knew he would get Jannah can fear Allah and keep aside his ego for the Ummah, we as the Ummah of Muhammad (ﷺ) should practice patience, forgiveness, and gratitude in our daily lives learning from the life of Ahl al-Bayt and the companions of Prophet (ﷺ).
Hazrat Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) served as a fifth Caliph after the martyrdom of his father Hazrat Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) . He served as a caliphate for a short time, stepped down from the position, and made a peace treaty with Muawiya (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), choosing unity over conflict for the sake of the Ummah. Instead of holding onto his power and risking bloodshed, he forgave his opponent for good. His decision showed his leadership skills and his sacrifice for the Ummah. He was a man of his word and a great decision-maker.
In the Quran, the name of Hazrat Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) is not mentioned directly, but Allah has mentioned the entire family of Rasool Allah (ﷺ). In Surah Al-Ahzab, Allah says:
Translation: "Stay at home, and do not deck yourself with ostentation as in the days of paganism; fulfill your devotional obligations, pay the zakat, and obey God and His Apostle. God desires to remove impurities from you, O inmates of this house, and to cleanse and bring out the best in you." (Quran 33:33)
In a Hadith narrated by Ibn Umar (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) , the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said;
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Hasan and Husain will be the leaders of the youth of Paradise, and their father is better than them." (Sunan Ibn Majah 118, Book 1)
The birth of Hazrat Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was the arrival of one of the most noble personalities in Islam and a man who is said to be the leader of youth in Jannah. His life is filled with examples showing his patience, humbleness, and leadership. He was someone from whom the people of Ummah gained wisdom and learned piety. Being Ahl al-Bayt, he is a person through which we as Muslims can learn about how to live our life for Allah, in His remembrance, lead with dignity, and sacrifice where necessary for the good of the people.
Hazrat Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was born on the 15th of Ramadan, 3 AH in Madinah.
Hassan Ibn Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and son of Hazrat Fatimah daughter of Prophet (ﷺ) and Imam Ali, the cousin of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the 4th Caliph of Islam.
Hazrat Fatimah binte Muhammad was the mother and Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib was the father of Hazrat Hassan (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) .
The name Hassan was given by the Prophet (ﷺ) to his eldest grandson from his beloved daughter Fatimah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا) which in Arabic means good or beautiful.
He remained the Caliph for around seven months after his father's death around seven months.