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Imam al-Hasan b. Ali al-Mujtaba (a): Difference between revisions
Imam al-Hasan b. Ali al-Mujtaba (a) (view source)
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There is not much information about his life during the caliphate of [[Abu Bakr]] and [[Umar b. al-Khattab]]. It is reported that Umar appointed him as a witness in the [[six-member council]] that was to choose the third caliph. During the revolt at the end of [[Uthman]]'s caliphate, he was tasked by [[Imam Ali (a)]] to protect the house of the caliph. During the caliphate of Imam Ali (a), al-Hasan (a) moved with his father to [[Kufa]] and was one of the commanders of his army in the battles of [[battle of Jamal|Jamal]] and [[battle of Siffin|Siffin]]. | There is not much information about his life during the caliphate of [[Abu Bakr]] and [[Umar b. al-Khattab]]. It is reported that Umar appointed him as a witness in the [[six-member council]] that was to choose the third caliph. During the revolt at the end of [[Uthman]]'s caliphate, he was tasked by [[Imam Ali (a)]] to protect the house of the caliph. During the caliphate of Imam Ali (a), al-Hasan (a) moved with his father to [[Kufa]] and was one of the commanders of his army in the battles of [[battle of Jamal|Jamal]] and [[battle of Siffin|Siffin]]. | ||
On [[Ramadan 21]], [[40 AH]]/[[January 28]], [[661 CE|661]], and after the [[martyrdom]] of Imam Ali (a), al-Hasan (a) became the Imam and successor of his father. More than forty thousand men pledged [[allegiance]] to him on the same day. However, [[Muʿawiya|Mu'awiya]] did not accept his caliphate, and launched a military expedition against him. Imam al-Hasan (a) sent an army under the command of [['Ubayd Allah b. 'Abbas]] to confront Mu'awiya's army. The Imam (a) himself headed to [[Sabat]] with a group of soldiers. Mu'awiya tried to spread rumors among the Imam's (a) troops to prepare the ground for a peace treaty. At the same time, one of the [[Kharijites]] tried to assassinate Imam al-Hasan (a), which resulted in the Imam’s (a) injury. The Imam (a) was taken to [[Madain]] to receive treatment. Simultaneously, a group of Kufan chiefs wrote a letter to Mu'awiya and promised him to either kill al-Hasan (a) or to surrender him to Mu'awiya. Mu'awiya sent their letter to Imam al-Hasan (a) and proposed a peace treaty to the Imam (a). Seeing no other choices before him, Imam al-Hasan (a) accepted the peace treaty and abdicated the caliphate with the condition that Mu'awiya should rule according to the [[Qur'an]] and the [[Sunna]] of the Prophet (s) and should not appoint any successor for himself, and that no one, including the Shi'as, should be persecuted. Mu'awiya did not abide by any of these conditions later. The peace treaty with Mu'awiya led to the dissatisfaction of a number of the Imam’s (a) companions, so much so that some of them called the Imam (a) the Humiliator of the Believers. | On [[Ramadan 21]], [[40 AH|40]]/[[January 28]], [[661 CE|661]], and after the [[martyrdom]] of Imam Ali (a), al-Hasan (a) became the Imam and successor of his father. More than forty thousand men pledged [[allegiance]] to him on the same day. However, [[Muʿawiya|Mu'awiya]] did not accept his caliphate, and launched a military expedition against him. Imam al-Hasan (a) sent an army under the command of [['Ubayd Allah b. 'Abbas]] to confront Mu'awiya's army. The Imam (a) himself headed to [[Sabat]] with a group of soldiers. Mu'awiya tried to spread rumors among the Imam's (a) troops to prepare the ground for a peace treaty. At the same time, one of the [[Kharijites]] tried to assassinate Imam al-Hasan (a), which resulted in the Imam’s (a) injury. The Imam (a) was taken to [[Madain]] to receive treatment. Simultaneously, a group of Kufan chiefs wrote a letter to Mu'awiya and promised him to either kill al-Hasan (a) or to surrender him to Mu'awiya. Mu'awiya sent their letter to Imam al-Hasan (a) and proposed a peace treaty to the Imam (a). Seeing no other choices before him, Imam al-Hasan (a) accepted the peace treaty and abdicated the caliphate with the condition that Mu'awiya should rule according to the [[Qur'an]] and the [[Sunna]] of the Prophet (s) and should not appoint any successor for himself, and that no one, including the Shi'as, should be persecuted. Mu'awiya did not abide by any of these conditions later. The peace treaty with Mu'awiya led to the dissatisfaction of a number of the Imam’s (a) companions, so much so that some of them called the Imam (a) the Humiliator of the Believers. | ||
The Imam (a) returned to Medina after the peace treaty in [[41 AH|41]]/661 and remained there until the end of his life. In Medina, he was as a religious and scholarly authority and had a high social status. | The Imam (a) returned to Medina after the peace treaty in [[41 AH|41]]/661 and remained there until the end of his life. In Medina, he was as a religious and scholarly authority and had a high social status. | ||
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There are few reports about Imam al-Hasan's youth. It is reported, for instance, that Umar appointed him as a witness in the [[six-member council]] that was to appoint the next caliph.<ref>Ibn Qutayba, ''al-Imāma wa l-sīyāsa'', vol. 1, p. 42.</ref> | There are few reports about Imam al-Hasan's youth. It is reported, for instance, that Umar appointed him as a witness in the [[six-member council]] that was to appoint the next caliph.<ref>Ibn Qutayba, ''al-Imāma wa l-sīyāsa'', vol. 1, p. 42.</ref> | ||
According to some Sunni sources, Imam al-Hasan (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a), participated in the Battle of Ifriqiyya in [[26 AH]]/646-7 <ref>Ibn Khaldūn, ''al-ʿIbar'', vol. 2, p. 573-574.</ref> and in the Battle of [[Tabaristan]] in [[29 AH]]/649-50 or [[30 AH]]/650-1.<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 4, p. 269.</ref> Scholars disagree as to whether these reports are reliable. Considering problems in their chains of transmitters and taking into account the opposition of the Imams (a) to the conquests, [[Sayyid Ja'far Murtada]] regards these reports as unreliable. He refers as further evidence for his view to the fact that [[Imam Ali (a)]] did not allow Imam al-Hasan (a) and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] to participate in the [[Battle of Siffin]].<ref>Jaʿfar al-Murtaḍā, ''al-Ḥayāt al-sīyāsīyya li-l-Imām al-Ḥasan'', p. 158.</ref> | According to some Sunni sources, Imam al-Hasan (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a), participated in the Battle of Ifriqiyya in [[26 AH|26]]/646-7 <ref>Ibn Khaldūn, ''al-ʿIbar'', vol. 2, p. 573-574.</ref> and in the Battle of [[Tabaristan]] in [[29 AH|29]]/649-50 or [[30 AH|30]]/650-1.<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 4, p. 269.</ref> Scholars disagree as to whether these reports are reliable. Considering problems in their chains of transmitters and taking into account the opposition of the Imams (a) to the conquests, [[Sayyid Ja'far Murtada]] regards these reports as unreliable. He refers as further evidence for his view to the fact that [[Imam Ali (a)]] did not allow Imam al-Hasan (a) and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] to participate in the [[Battle of Siffin]].<ref>Jaʿfar al-Murtaḍā, ''al-Ḥayāt al-sīyāsīyya li-l-Imām al-Ḥasan'', p. 158.</ref> | ||
It is also reported that in this period, whenever people complained about [[Uthman]]'s conducts to Imam Ali (a), he would send his son al-Hasan (a) to Uthman.<ref>Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, ''al-ʿIqd al-farīd'', vol. 5, p. 58-59.</ref> According to al-Baladhuri, during the revolt at the end of Uthman's caliphate, when his house was besieged, al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) and a number of other people were commanded by Imam Ali (a) to protect Uthman’s house,<ref>Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 5, p. 558-559.</ref> and, according to [[Qadi Nuʿman al-Maghribi]] (d. 363/974) to take water for him.<ref>Qāḍī Nuʿmān, ''al-Manāqib wa al-mathālib'', p. 251; Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'', p. 168.</ref> Some reports indicate that al-Hasan (a) was even injured in this episode.<ref>Dīyārbakrī, ''Tārīkh al-khamīs'', vol. 2, p. 262.</ref> Some Shiite scholars, such as [[Allama Amini]], regard these reports as unreliable.<ref>Amīnī, ''al-Ghadīr'', vol. 9, p. 262.</ref> [[Al-Sharif al-Murtada]] also questions the authenticity of these reports and states that even if they were authentic, they only indicate that Imam Ali (a) was against [[murdering Uthamn]] and depriving his family of food and water, not that he opposed overthrowing him as the caliph.<ref>Sayyid Murtaḍā, ''Shāfī fī al-imāma'', vol. 4, p. 242.</ref> | It is also reported that in this period, whenever people complained about [[Uthman]]'s conducts to Imam Ali (a), he would send his son al-Hasan (a) to Uthman.<ref>Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih, ''al-ʿIqd al-farīd'', vol. 5, p. 58-59.</ref> According to al-Baladhuri, during the revolt at the end of Uthman's caliphate, when his house was besieged, al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a) and a number of other people were commanded by Imam Ali (a) to protect Uthman’s house,<ref>Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 5, p. 558-559.</ref> and, according to [[Qadi Nuʿman al-Maghribi]] (d. 363/974) to take water for him.<ref>Qāḍī Nuʿmān, ''al-Manāqib wa al-mathālib'', p. 251; Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'', p. 168.</ref> Some reports indicate that al-Hasan (a) was even injured in this episode.<ref>Dīyārbakrī, ''Tārīkh al-khamīs'', vol. 2, p. 262.</ref> Some Shiite scholars, such as [[Allama Amini]], regard these reports as unreliable.<ref>Amīnī, ''al-Ghadīr'', vol. 9, p. 262.</ref> [[Al-Sharif al-Murtada]] also questions the authenticity of these reports and states that even if they were authentic, they only indicate that Imam Ali (a) was against [[murdering Uthamn]] and depriving his family of food and water, not that he opposed overthrowing him as the caliph.<ref>Sayyid Murtaḍā, ''Shāfī fī al-imāma'', vol. 4, p. 242.</ref> | ||
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===Children and Wives=== | ===Children and Wives=== | ||
{{Main|Wives of Imam al-Hasan (a)}} | {{Main|Wives of Imam al-Hasan (a)}} | ||
There are various reports about the number of Imam al-Hasan's (a) children and wives. Although historical sources do not mention the names of more than eighteen women<ref>Shūshtarī, ''Risālat fī tawārīkh al-nabī wa al-āl'', p. 71-72; Zamānī Aḥmad, ''Ḥaqāyiq-i pinhān, pazhūhishī dar zindigānī-yi sīyāsī-yi Imām al-Ḥasan'', p. 339-340; Al-Qarashī, ''Ḥayāt al-Imām al-Ḥasan'', vol. 2, p. 455-460.</ref> as the wives of the Imam (a), some of them claim that the Imam (a) had | There are various reports about the number of Imam al-Hasan's (a) children and wives. Although historical sources do not mention the names of more than eighteen women<ref>Shūshtarī, ''Risālat fī tawārīkh al-nabī wa al-āl'', p. 71-72; Zamānī Aḥmad, ''Ḥaqāyiq-i pinhān, pazhūhishī dar zindigānī-yi sīyāsī-yi Imām al-Ḥasan'', p. 339-340; Al-Qarashī, ''Ḥayāt al-Imām al-Ḥasan'', vol. 2, p. 455-460.</ref> as the wives of the Imam (a), some of them claim that the Imam (a) had seventy,<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 44, p. 173.</ref> ninety,<ref>Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 25.</ref> two hundred,<ref>Muqaddasī, ''al-Bidaʾ wa al-tārīkh'', vol. 5, p. 74.</ref> or 250 wives.<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''al-Manāqib āl-i Abiṭālib'', vol. 4, p. 30.</ref> It has been claimed that Imam al-Hasan (a) was mitlaq (divorcer)<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 10, p. 290 and 302; Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 25; Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 6, p. 56.</ref> and that he had many concubines, with some of whom he had children.<ref>Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 73.</ref> | ||
This claim has been criticized in past and recent scholarly works.<ref>Mahdawī Dāmghānī, ''Ḥasan b. Alī, Imām'', p. 309.</ref> According to [[Madelung]], the first person to have spread the rumor that Imam al-Hasan (a) had ninety wives was Muhammad b. al-Kalbi, and the number was made up by al- | This claim has been criticized in past and recent scholarly works.<ref>Mahdawī Dāmghānī, ''Ḥasan b. Alī, Imām'', p. 309.</ref> According to [[Madelung]], the first person to have spread the rumor that Imam al-Hasan (a) had ninety wives was Muhammad b. al-Kalbi, and the number was made up by al-Mada'ini (d. 225/839-40). However, al-Kalbi mentions only the names of eleven women as the Imam's wives, and from these eleven, five were arguably not the Imam's wives.<ref>Wilferd Madelung, ''Jānishīnī-yi Muḥammad'', p. 514-515.</ref> Al-Qurashi maintains that these reports were fabricated by the [[Abbasids]] to tarnish the reputation of the descendants of Imam al-Hasan (a) who led several revolts against them.<ref>Al-Qarashī, ''Ḥayāt al-Imām al-Ḥasan'', vol. 2, p. 453-454.</ref> | ||
There is disagreement about the number of Imam al-Hasan's (a) children. According to [[al-Shaykh al-Mufid]], they were fifteen,<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 20.</ref> but [[Al-Fadl b. al-Hasan al-Tabrisi|al-Tabrisi]] considers them sixteen, among whom was Abu Bakr who was martyred in the [[event of Karbala]].<ref>Ṭabrisī, ''Iʿlām al-warā'', vol. 1, p. 416.</ref> | There is disagreement about the number of Imam al-Hasan's (a) children. According to [[al-Shaykh al-Mufid]], they were fifteen,<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 20.</ref> but [[Al-Fadl b. al-Hasan al-Tabrisi|al-Tabrisi]] considers them sixteen, among whom was Abu Bakr who was martyred in the [[event of Karbala]].<ref>Ṭabrisī, ''Iʿlām al-warā'', vol. 1, p. 416.</ref> | ||
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==Residence in Kufa== | ==Residence in Kufa== | ||
Imam al-Hasan (a) was present in the five-year caliphate of his father beside him in all situation.<ref>Mahdawī Dāmghānī, ''Ḥasan b. Alī, Imām'', p. 304.</ref> It is reported that when the people pledged their allegiance to Imam Ali (a), Imam al-Hasan (a) went on the [[minbar]] at his father's request and delivered a speech to the people.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Ikhtiṣāṣ'', p. 238.</ref> It also appears that al-Hasan (a) was with his father since the first days of the latter's residence in Kufa.<ref>Naṣr b. Muzāhim, ''Waqʿat Ṣiffīn'', p. 6.</ref> | Imam al-Hasan (a) was present in the five-year caliphate of his father beside him in all situation.<ref>Mahdawī Dāmghānī, ''Ḥasan b. Alī, Imām'', p. 304.</ref> It is reported that when the people pledged their allegiance to Imam Ali (a), Imam al-Hasan (a) went on the [[minbar]] at his father's request and delivered a speech to the people.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Ikhtiṣāṣ'', p. 238.</ref> It also appears that al-Hasan (a) was with his father since the first days of the latter's residence in Kufa.<ref>Naṣr b. Muzāhim, ''Waqʿat Ṣiffīn'', p. 6.</ref> | ||
===The Battle of Jamal=== | ===The Battle of Jamal=== | ||
[[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] (d. 413/1022) reports that Imam al-Hasan (a), together with [[Ammar b. Yasir]] and [[Qays b. Sa'd b. 'Ubada]], was tasked with calling the Kufans to join the Imam's (a) army.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Jamal'', p, 244 and 261.</ref> In [[Kufa]], al-Hasan (a) delivered a speech in which he mentioned his father's virtues and high status in Islam and [[Talha]]'s and [[Zubayr]]'s betrayal of their [[allegiance]], and then called the people to support Imam Ali (a).<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Jamal'', p, 263.</ref> | [[Al-Shaykh al-Mufid]] (d. 413/1022) reports that Imam al-Hasan (a), together with [[Ammar b. Yasir]] and [[Qays b. Sa'd b. 'Ubada]], was tasked with calling the Kufans to join the Imam's (a) army.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Jamal'', p, 244 and 261.</ref> In [[Kufa]], al-Hasan (a) delivered a speech in which he mentioned his father's virtues and high status in Islam and [[Talha]]'s and [[Zubayr]]'s betrayal of their [[allegiance]], and then called the people to support Imam Ali (a).<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Jamal'', p, 263.</ref> | ||
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===The Battle of Nahrawan=== | ===The Battle of Nahrawan=== | ||
According to ''al-Istiʿab'', al-Hasan (a) participated in the [[Battle of Nahrawan]] as well.<ref>Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, ''al-Istīʿāb fī maʿrifat al-aṣḥāb'', vol. 3, p. 939.</ref> | According to ''al-Istiʿab'', al-Hasan (a) participated in the [[Battle of Nahrawan]] as well.<ref>Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, ''al-Istīʿāb fī maʿrifat al-aṣḥāb'', vol. 3, p. 939.</ref> | ||
It is also reported that Imam Ali (a), toward the end of his life, appointed al-Hasan (a) as the commander of an army of ten-thousand troops to confront [[Mu'awiya]] another time.<ref>Ibn Abī l-Ḥadīd, ''Sharḥ Nahj al-balagha'', vol. 7, p. 93-94; Qundūzī, ''Yanābīʿ al-mawadda'', vol. 3, p. 444.</ref> | It is also reported that Imam Ali (a), toward the end of his life, appointed al-Hasan (a) as the commander of an army of ten-thousand troops to confront [[Mu'awiya]] another time.<ref>Ibn Abī l-Ḥadīd, ''Sharḥ Nahj al-balagha'', vol. 7, p. 93-94; Qundūzī, ''Yanābīʿ al-mawadda'', vol. 3, p. 444.</ref> | ||
==Imamate and Caliphate== | ==Imamate and Caliphate== | ||
Al-Hasan b. Ali (a) is the second Imam of the | Al-Hasan b. Ali (a) is the second Imam of the Shi'a. He became the Imam after the martyrdom of his father on [[21 Ramadan]], [[40 AH]]/[[January 28]], [[661 CE]].<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 9.</ref> His imamate lasted for ten years. In ''[[al-Kafi]]'', [[al-Kulayni]] (d. 329/941) has collected the hadiths related to the appointment of al-Hasan (a) to [[imamate]]. According to one of these [[hadith]]s, before his martyrdom, Imam Ali (a) gave his books and weapon (from the [[Trusts of Imamate]]) to al-Hasan (a) in the presence of his children and some prominent Shiite figures, and announced that the Prophet (s) had commanded him to appoint al-Hasan (a) as the executor of his will. According to another hadith, when Imam Ali (a) was going to [[Kufa]], he left some of the Trusts of Imamate with [[Umm Salama]], and al-Hasan (a) received them from her when he returned from Kufa. | ||
Al-Hasan's (a) imamate is also supported by such prophetic hadiths as “These two sons of mine are two Imams, whether they rise or sit” and the [[Hadith of the Twelve Caliphs]]. | Al-Hasan's (a) imamate is also supported by such prophetic hadiths as “These two sons of mine are two Imams, whether they rise or sit” and the [[Hadith of the Twelve Caliphs]]. | ||
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===Allegiance of Muslims and Oppositions by People of Syria=== | ===Allegiance of Muslims and Oppositions by People of Syria=== | ||
According to Shiite and Sunni sources, after the martyrdom of [[Amir al-Mu'minin (a)]] in 40/661, people pledged their allegiance to al-Hasan b. 'Ali (a).<ref>Yaʿqūbī, ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 214; Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 5, p. 158; Masʿūdī, ''Murūj al-dhahab'', vol. 2, p. 426.</ref> According to [[al-Baladhuri]] (d. 279/892-3), after the burial of Imam 'Ali (a), [['Ubayad Allah b. 'Abbas]] went to people and gave the news of the Imam's martyrdom, telling them: "he has left a well-deserved and patient successor. You can pledge your allegiance to him if you would like to."<ref>Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 28.</ref> According to ''[[al-Irshad]]'', in the morning of Friday, [[Ramadan 21]]/[[January 28]], al-Hasan b. 'Ali gave a speech in the mosque, in which he enumerated the virtues and merits of his father, emphasized on his own connection to the Prophet (s), pointed to his own merits, and appealed to verses of the Qur'an concerning the special place of [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]].<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 7-9; Abū l-Faraj al-Iṣfahānī, ''Maqātil al-ṭālibīyyīn'', p. 62.</ref> After the speech, [['Abd Allah b. 'Abbas]] stood up and told people: "pledge your allegiance to the son of your Prophet and the successor of your Imam." And people pledged their allegiance to him.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 8-9.</ref> According to sources, the number of people who pledged allegiance to him amounted to over | According to Shiite and Sunni sources, after the martyrdom of [[Amir al-Mu'minin (a)]] in 40/661, people pledged their allegiance to al-Hasan b. 'Ali (a).<ref>Yaʿqūbī, ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 214; Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 5, p. 158; Masʿūdī, ''Murūj al-dhahab'', vol. 2, p. 426.</ref> According to [[al-Baladhuri]] (d. 279/892-3), after the burial of Imam 'Ali (a), [['Ubayad Allah b. 'Abbas]] went to people and gave the news of the Imam's martyrdom, telling them: "he has left a well-deserved and patient successor. You can pledge your allegiance to him if you would like to."<ref>Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 28.</ref> According to ''[[al-Irshad]]'', in the morning of Friday, [[Ramadan 21]]/[[January 28]], al-Hasan b. 'Ali gave a speech in the mosque, in which he enumerated the virtues and merits of his father, emphasized on his own connection to the Prophet (s), pointed to his own merits, and appealed to verses of the Qur'an concerning the special place of [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]].<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 7-9; Abū l-Faraj al-Iṣfahānī, ''Maqātil al-ṭālibīyyīn'', p. 62.</ref> After the speech, [['Abd Allah b. 'Abbas]] stood up and told people: "pledge your allegiance to the son of your Prophet and the successor of your Imam." And people pledged their allegiance to him.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 8-9.</ref> According to sources, the number of people who pledged allegiance to him amounted to over forty thousand.<ref> Maqrizī, Imtāʿ al-asmāʾ, vol. 5, p. 358; Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, al-Istīʿāb fī maʿrifat al-aṣḥāb, vol. 1, p. 385; Dīyārbakrī, Tārīkh al-khamīs, vol. 2, p. 289; Nuwayrī, Nihāyat al-ʾirb, vol. 20, p. 229.</ref> On al-Tabari's account, [[Qays b. Sa'd b. 'Ubada]], a commander of Imam Ali's army, was the first person to pledge allegiance to him.<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 5, p. 158.</ref> | ||
According to Husayn Muhammad Ja'fari in his book, ''[[Tashayyu' dar masir-i tarikh]]'' (Shiism in the course of history), many companions of the Prophet (s) who had resided in [[Kufa]] after the construction of the city or had moved to the city in the period of Imam 'Ali's caliphate pledged their allegiance to Imam al-Hasan (a) or otherwise accepted his caliphate.<ref>Jaʿfarī, ''Tashayyuʿ dar masīr-i tārīkh'', p. 158.</ref> Ja'fari relies on certain pieces of evidence to show that people of Mecca and Medina also agreed with the caliphate of al-Hasan b. 'Ali, and people of Iraq considered him as the only candidate for the position.<ref>Jaʿfarī, ''Tashayyuʿ dar masīr-i tārīkh'', p. 158-160.</ref> According to Ja'fari, people of [[Yemen]] and Fars ([[Persia]]) had also implicitly endorsed his caliphate, or at least, they showed no opposition thereto.<ref>Jaʿfarī, ''Tashayyuʿ dar masīr-i tārīkh'', p. 161.</ref> | According to Husayn Muhammad Ja'fari in his book, ''[[Tashayyu' dar masir-i tarikh]]'' (Shiism in the course of history), many companions of the Prophet (s) who had resided in [[Kufa]] after the construction of the city or had moved to the city in the period of Imam 'Ali's caliphate pledged their allegiance to Imam al-Hasan (a) or otherwise accepted his caliphate.<ref>Jaʿfarī, ''Tashayyuʿ dar masīr-i tārīkh'', p. 158.</ref> Ja'fari relies on certain pieces of evidence to show that people of Mecca and Medina also agreed with the caliphate of al-Hasan b. 'Ali, and people of Iraq considered him as the only candidate for the position.<ref>Jaʿfarī, ''Tashayyuʿ dar masīr-i tārīkh'', p. 158-160.</ref> According to Ja'fari, people of [[Yemen]] and Fars ([[Persia]]) had also implicitly endorsed his caliphate, or at least, they showed no opposition thereto.<ref>Jaʿfarī, ''Tashayyuʿ dar masīr-i tārīkh'', p. 161.</ref> | ||
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When informed of [[Imam 'Ali]]'s (a) martyrdom and that people had given [[allegiance]] to Imam al-Hasan (a), [[Mu'awiya]] sent two spies to [[Kufa]] and [[Basra]] in an attempt to incite the people against Imam al-Hasan (a). So, Imam al-Hasan (a) ordered the arrest and punishment of the two. Letters were exchanged between Imam al-Hasan (a) and Mu'awiya and in them, Imam al-Hasan (a) proved his right to the [[caliphate]].<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', p. 350.</ref> | When informed of [[Imam 'Ali]]'s (a) martyrdom and that people had given [[allegiance]] to Imam al-Hasan (a), [[Mu'awiya]] sent two spies to [[Kufa]] and [[Basra]] in an attempt to incite the people against Imam al-Hasan (a). So, Imam al-Hasan (a) ordered the arrest and punishment of the two. Letters were exchanged between Imam al-Hasan (a) and Mu'awiya and in them, Imam al-Hasan (a) proved his right to the [[caliphate]].<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', p. 350.</ref> | ||
Mu'awiya tried to mobilize his army and sent letters to his governors asking them to support him. He led his army towards [[Iraq]] and left Dahhak b. Qays al-Fihri in the capital as his temporary substitute. It is reported that | Mu'awiya tried to mobilize his army and sent letters to his governors asking them to support him. He led his army towards [[Iraq]] and left Dahhak b. Qays al-Fihri in the capital as his temporary substitute. It is reported that sixty thousand soldiers or more accompanied Mu'awiya.<ref>Qurashī, ''Zindigānī-yi Imām al-Ḥasan'', p. 334-335.</ref> When the army of Mu'awiya crossed Manbaj bridge over Euphrates, Imam al-Hasan (a) asked people of Kufa to prepare themselves for jihad and ordered Hujr b. 'Adi to mobilize people. | ||
Imam (a) joined the army of [[Kufa]] in [[Sabat]] of [[Mada'in]] and in a sermon, called people to unity and said that reconciliation is better than disunity, rancor and enmity. People understood from his speech that Imam (a) wanted to make peace with Mu'awiya. Thus, some people accused him of disbelief and attacked his tent and many people left him.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 11.</ref> Also, Mu'awiya sent a letter to 'Ubayd Allah b. 'Abbas, the commander of the army of Iraq and pretended that Imam al-Hasan (a) asked him for peace and mentioned that if 'Ubayd Allah accepted to side with him immediately, he would give him government and great amount of money. So, 'Ubayd Allah who had thought that Imam (a) had asked for peace, sought his personal interests and accepted Mu'awiya's request and joined Mu'awiya at night with two third of his army. | Imam (a) joined the army of [[Kufa]] in [[Sabat]] of [[Mada'in]] and in a sermon, called people to unity and said that reconciliation is better than disunity, rancor and enmity. People understood from his speech that Imam (a) wanted to make peace with Mu'awiya. Thus, some people accused him of disbelief and attacked his tent and many people left him.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 11.</ref> Also, Mu'awiya sent a letter to 'Ubayd Allah b. 'Abbas, the commander of the army of Iraq and pretended that Imam al-Hasan (a) asked him for peace and mentioned that if 'Ubayd Allah accepted to side with him immediately, he would give him government and great amount of money. So, 'Ubayd Allah who had thought that Imam (a) had asked for peace, sought his personal interests and accepted Mu'awiya's request and joined Mu'awiya at night with two third of his army. | ||
One of the consequences of this event was that some of the chiefs of Iraqi tribes wrote a letter to Mu'awiya and expressed their support for him. After this event, Mu'awiya wanted to bribe Qays b. Sa'd who had become the commander of Iraq's army but failed.<ref>Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 38.</ref> | One of the consequences of this event was that some of the chiefs of Iraqi tribes wrote a letter to Mu'awiya and expressed their support for him. After this event, Mu'awiya wanted to bribe Qays b. Sa'd who had become the commander of Iraq's army but failed.<ref>Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 38.</ref> | ||
=== Peace Treaty === | === Peace Treaty === | ||
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==Residence in Medina and Religious Authority== | ==Residence in Medina and Religious Authority== | ||
After the peace treaty with Mu'awiya, Imam al-Hasan (a) resided in [[Medina]],<ref>Ibn Abī l-Ḥadīd, ''Sharḥ Nahj al-balagha'', vol. 16, p. 16.</ref> despite the request of some of his followers to remain in Kufa. He stayed in Medina until the end of his life, except a few times that he travelled to [[Mecca]]<ref>Ibn Kathīr, ''al-Bidāya wa l-nihāya'', vol. 8, p. 37; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 43, 331.</ref> and [[Damascus]].<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''al-Manāqib'', vol. 4, p. 18.</ref> | After the peace treaty with Mu'awiya, Imam al-Hasan (a) resided in [[Medina]],<ref>Ibn Abī l-Ḥadīd, ''Sharḥ Nahj al-balagha'', vol. 16, p. 16.</ref> despite the request of some of his followers to remain in Kufa. He stayed in Medina until the end of his life, except a few times that he travelled to [[Mecca]]<ref>Ibn Kathīr, ''al-Bidāya wa l-nihāya'', vol. 8, p. 37; Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 43, 331.</ref> and [[Damascus]].<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''al-Manāqib'', vol. 4, p. 18.</ref> | ||
Imam al-Hasan (a) was the administrator of the endowments and charities of his father after the latter's martyrdom, according to a will written by Imam Ali (a) in [[Jumada I 10]], [[37 AH]] | Imam al-Hasan (a) was the administrator of the endowments and charities of his father after the latter's martyrdom, according to a will written by Imam Ali (a) in [[Jumada I 10]], [[37 AH|37]]/[[October 24]], [[657 CE|657]].<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 7, p. 49-51.</ref> | ||
===Religious Authority=== | ===Religious Authority=== | ||
There are several reports of Imam al-Hasan's sessions in Medina, which were intended to educate and guide people in matters of religion. For instance, Ibn | There are several reports of Imam al-Hasan's sessions in Medina, which were intended to educate and guide people in matters of religion. For instance, Ibn Sa'd (d. 230/844-5), al-Baladhuri (d. 279/892-3), and Ibn 'Asakir (d. 571/1175-6) have reported that al-Hasan (a) would perform [[morning prayer]] in the [[mosque of the Prophet (s)]] and would continue worshipping there until sunrise. Afterwards, people would gather around him and discuss with him about different issues. He had the same gatherings after noon [[prayer]] as well.<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 10, p. 297; Balādhurī, ''Ansāb al-ashrāf'', vol. 3, p. 21; Ibn ʿAsākir, ''Tārīkh madīnat Dimashq'', vol. 13, p. 241.</ref> In ''[[al-Fusul al-muhimma]]'', it is reported that Imam al-Hasan (a) would sit in the mosque of the Prophet (s) and respond to the questions of the people who would gather around him.<ref>Ibn Ṣabāgh Mālikī, ''al-Fuṣūl al-muhimma'', vol. 2, p. 702.</ref> | ||
However, according to [[Mahdi Pishvayi]], the Imam (a) fell into some disfavor with the people, which had its consequences on the moral decadence of the society of that time.<ref>Pīshwāyī, ''Tārīkh-i islām'', vol. 2, p. 440.</ref> | However, according to [[Mahdi Pishvayi]], the Imam (a) fell into some disfavor with the people, which had its consequences on the moral decadence of the society of that time.<ref>Pīshwāyī, ''Tārīkh-i islām'', vol. 2, p. 440.</ref> | ||
===Social Status=== | ===Social Status=== | ||
The Imam (a) had a high social status. Ibn | The Imam (a) had a high social status. Ibn Sa'd mentions that when the people would see al-Hasan (a) in [[hajj]], they would rush to him to receive his blessings, such that al-Husayn (a) with the help of some other individuals had to protect him.<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 10, p. 406.</ref> It is also reported that although [[Ibn 'Abbas]] was older than Imam al-Hasan (a),<ref>Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, ''al-Istīʿāb fī maʿrifat al-aṣḥāb'', p. 935.</ref> he would serve the Imam (a) by helping him mount his horse.<ref>Ibn ʿAsākir, ''Tārīkh madīnat Dimashq'', vol. 13, p. 239.</ref> | ||
===Political Isolation=== | ===Political Isolation=== | ||
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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]].<ref>[http://www.markazfeqhi.com/doctrines/news/5124/ Special Center of A'imma Athar(Persian)]</ref>.<ref>[https://www.mehrnews.com/news/2432402/هفتم-صفر-بر-اساس-قول-مشهور-سالروز-شهادت-امام-مجتبی-ع-است Mehrnews.com (Persian)]</ref> | 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]].<ref>[http://www.markazfeqhi.com/doctrines/news/5124/ Special Center of A'imma Athar(Persian)]</ref>.<ref>[https://www.mehrnews.com/news/2432402/هفتم-صفر-بر-اساس-قول-مشهور-سالروز-شهادت-امام-مجتبی-ع-است Mehrnews.com (Persian)]</ref> | ||
Considering the disagreements over the date of Imam al-Hasan's martyrdom, the Imam (a) is considered to have been | Considering the disagreements over the date of Imam al-Hasan's martyrdom, the Imam (a) is considered to have been forty-six,<ref>Al-Maqrīzī, ''Imtaʿ al-asmaʿ'', vol. 5, p. 361; Dīyārbakrī, ''Tārīkh al-khamīs'', vol. 2, p. 293.</ref> forty-seven,<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 1, p. 461-462; Al-Maqrīzī, ''Imtaʿ al-asmaʿ'', vol. 5, p. 361; Dīyārbakrī, ''Tārīkh al-khamīs'', vol. 2, p. 293; Irbilī, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 1, p. 486.</ref> or forty-eight years old<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 15; Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''al-Manāqib'', vol. 4, p. 29.</ref> when he passed away. | ||
==Virtues and Characteristics== | ==Virtues and Characteristics== | ||
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}} | }} | ||
According to [[al-Ya'qubi]] (d. 292/904-5), al-Hasan b. Ali (a) was the most similar person to the [[Prophet (s)]] in his appearance and behavior.<ref>Yaʿqūbī, ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 226.</ref> He was of medium height and had a thick beard,<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''al-Manāqib'', vol. 4, p. 28.</ref> which he would dye black.<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 10, p. 314.</ref> | According to [[al-Ya'qubi]] (d. 292/904-5), al-Hasan b. Ali (a) was the most similar person to the [[Prophet (s)]] in his appearance and behavior.<ref>Yaʿqūbī, ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 226.</ref> He was of medium height and had a thick beard,<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''al-Manāqib'', vol. 4, p. 28.</ref> which he would dye black.<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 10, p. 314.</ref> | ||
His virtues and noble characteristics are explained in many sources. | His virtues and noble characteristics are explained in many sources. | ||
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===Humbleness=== | ===Humbleness=== | ||
One day, he passed by a group of poor people who were eating pieces of bread. When they saw him, they invited him to eat with them. The Imam (a) accepted their invitation and sat and ate with them and then invited all of them to his house and offered them food and clothes.<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''al-Manāqib'', vol. 4, p. 23.</ref> | One day, he passed by a group of poor people who were eating pieces of bread. When they saw him, they invited him to eat with them. The Imam (a) accepted their invitation and sat and ate with them and then invited all of them to his house and offered them food and clothes.<ref>Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''al-Manāqib'', vol. 4, p. 23.</ref> | ||
In another occasion, his servant made a mistake, for which he deserved punishment. In order to escape punishment, the servant recited the following part of [[Qur'an 3]]:134: “[Those who] excuse [the faults of] the people.” The Imam (a) told him, “I forgave you.” The servant recited another part of the same verse: “Allah loves the doers of good.” So the Imam (a) said, “You are free for the sake of God, and I will grant you twice as much money I used to give you for your work.”<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 43, p. 252.</ref> | In another occasion, his servant made a mistake, for which he deserved punishment. In order to escape punishment, the servant recited the following part of [[Qur'an 3]]:134: “[Those who] excuse [the faults of] the people.” The Imam (a) told him, “I forgave you.” The servant recited another part of the same verse: “Allah loves the doers of good.” So the Imam (a) said, “You are free for the sake of God, and I will grant you twice as much money I used to give you for your work.”<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 43, p. 252.</ref> | ||