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

There are various reports as to when Imam al-Hasan (a) was martyred: three days, forty days, or two months after he was poisoned. When the Imam (a) passed away, all the Medinans mourned. In the [[burial]] ceremony, [[al-Baqi' cemetery]] became full of people, and the shops were shut down for sever days.

Imam al-Hasan (a) reportedly requested from his brother to be buried beside the [[Prophet (s)]], his grandfather. According to a report, al-Hasan (a) had informed [[A'isha]] about his wish and she had agreed. However, when [[Marwan b. al-Hakam]] learned about this decision, he reported it to Mu'awiya, and the latter asked him to forcefully prevent that. According to another report, however, Imam al-Hasan (a) had requested only that his [[coffin]] be taken to the grave of the Prophet (s) before his burial beside the grave of his grandmother [[Fatima bt. Asad (a)]]. According to this report, the Imam (a) had urged his brother to avoid any conflict during his burial ceremony.

When [[Banu Hashim]] carried the coffin of Imam al-Hasan (a) toward the grave of the Prophet (s), Marwan and a group of the Umayyads took up arms and blocked the way. [[Abu l-Faraj al-Isfahani]] (d. 356) mentions that A'isha arrived there on a mule and asked the Umayyads to stop Banu Hashim. According to al-Baladhuri's report, when she found out about the conflict, she claimed that the burial place of the Prophet (s) was her home and she would not allow anyone to be buried there.

It is reported that Marwan said, “While Uthman is buried on the outskirts of the city, we won’t tolerate that you bury al-Hasan next to the Prophet.” A conflict was about to break out between Banu Hashim and the Umayyads, but [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]], because of his brother’s prior request, did not allow that to happen. Thus, the body of Imam al-Hasan (a) was taken to al-Baqi' cemetery and buried beside the grave of his grandmother Fatima bt. al-Asad.

According to [[Ibn Shahrashub]], the Umayyads shot many arrows toward the body of Imam al-Hasan (a), seventy of which hit the Imam’s body.

Historical sources have mentioned the years 49/669, 50/670, or 51/671 as the year of the Imam's (a) martyrdom. Among these years, 50 seems to be more probable ([[670 CE]]).

As to the month of his martyrdom, the Shiite sources have mentioned the [[month of Safar]], but in most of the Sunni sources [[Rabi' I]] is mentioned.

As to the day of Imam al-Hasan's martyrdom, many Shiite scholars such as [[al-Shaykh al-Mufid]], [[al-Shaykh al-Tusi]], [[al-Tabrisi]], Ibn Shahrashub have mentioned [[Safar 28]]th ([[March 27]], [[670 CE]]). [[Al-Kulayni]] has mentioned the last day of Safar, and [[al-Shahid al-Awwal]] has mentioned [[Safar 7]]th ([[March 6]], [[670 CE]]). Investigating the authenticity of these different reports, Muqaddasi has concluded that Safar 28th is the right date.

In [[Iran]], Safar 28th has been made a national holiday in commemoration of the [[demise of the Prophet (s)]] and the martyrdom of Imam al-Hasan (a). However, in [[Iraq]], people hold [[mourning ceremonies]] for Imam al-Hasan (a) on Safar 7th, which has been regarded in the [[Seminary of Najaf]] since long ago as the anniversary of Imam al-Hasan’s martyrdom. The same day has been a holiday of mourning in [[Qom]] Islamic Seminary as well since the time of [[Shaykh Abd al-Karim Ha'iri]].

Considering the disagreements over the date of Imam al-Hasan's martyrdom, the Imam (a) is considered to have been 46, 47, or 48 years old when he passed away.