Zayd b. al-Imam al-Hasan (a): Difference between revisions

Zayd b. Hasan b. 'Ali is the son of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and trusteeship of [[Sadaqa]] of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]]. He exercised [[Taqiyya]] in political conflicts. Some historical sources stated that he was present in [[the battle of Karbala]] and he was taken captive at the end. Zayd never claimed [[Imamate]] and no Shi'a Muslim believe in his Imamate. [[Sunni]] [[Rijal]] experts regarded Zayd b. Hasan as a reliable hadith narrator ([[thiqa]]) and Shi'a rijal experts regarded him amongst the companions of [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]].

Abu al-Hasan or Abu al-Husayn was the [[kunya]] of Zayd b. Hasan. He was the oldest son of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]]. Umm Bashir bt. Abi Mas'ud al-Badri was the mother of Zayd who had another child from Imam al-Hasan (a) named Umm al-Hasan. [[Al-Shaykh al-Saduq]] and [[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] mentioned that Zayd had another sister named Umm al-Husayn.

The birth date of Zayd b. Hasan is unknown and no rijal expert and historian stated the birth date of him. He passed away in 120 A.H. at the age of 100, 95 or 90. It can be assumed he was born between 20 to 30 A.H.

A number of historians did not mention the presence of Zayd b. Hasan in the [[battle of Karbala]]; even there are some reports stating that he was absent in Karbala which brought criticism to him. However Maqatil al-Talibi'in which is the oldest source on martyrs of family member of [['Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]], regarded Zayd b. Hasan as a captives in Karbala.

According to [[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]], Zayd b. Hasan was a strong, generous self-assured man who was praised by poets. People came from different areas to learn from him. Al-Irbili introduced Zayd as a generous, self-assured and decent man.

According to some sources, when Zayd b. Hasan came to Sawq al-Zuhr people gathered around him as they were amazed by his strong and bulky body; they were mentioning that he was a descendant of [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]].

A number of historians including [[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] stated that Zayd b. Hasan was in charge of [[sadaqa]] dedicated to Prophet Muhammad (s).

When Sulayman b. 'Abd al-Malik came to power, he wrote a letter to his agent in [[Medina]]: "When you receive this letter, discharge Zayd b. Hasan from trusteeship of sadaqa of Prophet (s) and appointed one of his relatives and help him in the affairs." Then he did so.

Zayd was discharged from trusteeship until the time 'Amr b. 'Abd al-'Aziz. The caliph wrote a letter to his agent in Medina: "Zayd b. Hasan is noble man and the oldest man of [[Banu Hashim]]; when you receive the letter put him back in charge of trusteeship of sadaqa of Prophet (s) and support him."

According to a number of narrations, Imam 'Ali (a) demanded that trusteeship of his sadaqa be given to noble and decent man of his family. As narrated, the trusteeship was returned to Zayd b. Hasan in the time of Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik. In that time there was a disagreement between Zayd and Abu Hashim 'Abd Allah b. Muhammad Hanifa on trusteeship. Abu Hashim claimed that Zayd was equal to him regarding their lineage, the only difference was that Zayd's lineage goes back to [[Lady Fatima (s)]] while Abu Hashim does not, and sadaqa does not belong to Lady Fatima (s) as it belongs to [['Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]]. In addition, Imam 'Ali (s) demanded that the trusteeship should be given to the most knowledgeable and most virtuous member of his family. Abu Hashim claimed to be wiser and more knowledgeable in [[fiqh]] that Zayd. Then Zayd moved to [[Damascus]] and informed the Umayyad caliph of the disagreement, Walid ordered to give trusteeship to Zayd b. Hasan.

Al-Shaykh al-Mufid stated that neither Zayd b. Hasan nor Shi'ite and non-Shi'ite Muslims claimed [[Imamate]] of Zayd. In the time of Zayd three different Shi'ite groups existed, [[Twelvers]], [[Kaysanites]] and [[Zaydis]].

Zayd b. Hasan was definitely not a follower of Kaysanites as the majority of Kaysanites were supporters of Abu Hashim b. Muhammad b. Hanafiyya, but Zayd did not have a good relationship with Abu Hashim as they disagreed with each other on trusteeship of [[sadaqa]].

Zayd b. Hasan cannot be a member of Zaydis. If he was a member of them, he should have their [[Imam]] or a follower of them. As claiming Imamate is a condition of Imamate in Zaydism, and Zayd never claimed to be an Imam, he cannot be their Imam. Also Zaydis believe [[Taqiyya]] is [[haram]] (unlawful), and biography of Zayd shows that Zayd exercised Taqiyya for Banu Umayyad; therefore, he cannot be a member of Zaydis.

Besides [[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] believe Zayd b. Hasan exercised Taqiyya for Umayyads which is compatible to [[Twelver]] Shi'ism. Zayd is named a Twelver Shi'ite in a number of sources as well.

[[Al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] regarded Zayd b. Hasan a companion of [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]] and Ibn Hibban regarded him a [[thiqa]] (reliable hadith narrator) and accepted his narrations. Ibn Hajar in his book "[[Tahdhib al-tahdhib]]" stated that Zayd was a member of Banu Hashim who was a generous and noble man. Also there is a narration in Bihar from the book [[Al-Khara'ij wa l-Jara'ih]] by [[Al-Rawandi]] that accused Zayd of playing a role in martyrdom of [[Imam al-Baqir (a)]]. Based on this narration, Zayd accused Imam (a) of being a magician; however [[Ayatullah Khu'i]] did not accept this narration and considered this narration a [[Mursal]] hadith with incorrect content.

There is no agreement on the time of Zayd's demise. [[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] stated that Zayd passed away at the age of ninety; [[Allama al-Majlisi]] confirmed this report. [[Al-Sayyid Muhsin al-Amin]] stated that Zayd passed away in 120 A.H. at the age of ninety, ninety five or one hundred. He is buried in Hajiz region, between [[Mecca]] and [[Medina]].

Zayd's cousins, Hasan b. Hasan and Ibrahim b. Hasan were carrying the coffin and 'Abd Allah b. Hasan al-Muthanna known as [['Abd Allah b. Mahd]] was walking in front in the funeral. Even people were walking on foot in his funeral; he was regarded a respected man. After his demise some poets composed poems on his death including Qudama b. Musa al-Hajami.

After the martyrdom of [[Abbas b. 'Ali (a)]], his wife Lubaba bt. 'Ubayd Allah b. 'Abbas married Zayd b. Hasan. They had two sons Muhammad and Hasan and a daughter Nafisa; his generation continued only by Hasan b. Zayd. Hasan had two children who played important roles in social affairs of the time in Abbasid era. Hasan b. Zayd was appointed as the governor of [[Medina]] by [[Mansur]]. Some sources stated that Zayd had a son named Yahya who is buried in [[Egypt]].

Hasan b. Zayd b. Hasan, the governor of Medina, appointed by Mansur al-Dawaniqi

Sayyida Nafisa bt. Hasan b. Zayd

'Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani

Muhammad b. Hasan b. Muhammad b. al-Hasan b. Muhammad b. Ibrahim b. Hasan b. Zayd b. Hasan b. 'Ali; he launched an uprising in the time of [[Mu'tasim]].

Hasan b. Zayd b. Muhammad b. Isma'il b. Hasan b. Zayd known as Da'i Kabir who rebelled in Tabarestan.

Qasim b. 'Ali b. Isma'il who was a commander of Hasan b. Zayd's army.