Karim Ahl al-Bayt (Title)

A book by Sayyid Muhammad Taqi Mudarrisi titled the Karim-i Ahl-i Bayt about the life history of Imam al-Hasan (a).

Karīm al-Ahl al-Bayt (Arabic: کَریم أهل البَیْت, lit: the generous one of the Ahl al-Bayt) is a title attributed to Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a) due to his generosity and charity. Although the term "Karim" has been used to describe al-Hasan b. 'Ali (a), in early sources, the title Karim al-Ahl al-Bayt does not appear in any historical or hadith sources from the early period and is only found in later works as a title for him.

Imam Hasan's reputation as "Karim al-Ahl al-Bayt" is attributed to stories narrated by historiographers about his generosity. It is said that Imam al-Hasan (a) extensively donated to the poor and needy, a degree of generosity that cannot be found in the lives of any other prominent figures in history. Imam al-Mujtaba (a) was the most generous person of his time and became a byword for generosity. While all of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) were known for their generosity and nobility, only he was given the title of "Karim."

Ibn al-Jawzi (d. 654/1256 -7), a Sunni scholar, mentions the second Shia Imam in his book, Tadhkirat al-khawass (book), as a prominent figure in generosity and kindness, regarding the virtues of al-Hasan b. 'Ali (a) writes that during his lifetime, al-Hasan gave away his entire wealth twice for the sake of God and distributed his wealth equally to the poor three times. It is also reported that, in response to a poor person's request, he gave him twenty thousand dirhams.

Baqir Sharif al-Qurayshi (d. 1433/2012), a Shiite scholar, narrates a hadith about the title "Karim Ahl al-Bayt" (the generous one of the Ahl al-Bayt (a)). It is reported that when Imam al-Mujtaba (a) was asked why he never turned away a beggar in despair, the Imam (a) replied: "I too am, before God, a poor individual, begging that He does not deprive me. I am ashamed to make the poor despair when approaching God with such hope. And the God who bestows His favor upon me desires that I help others."