Welcome to this week’s episode of the series Let’s Know Islam. In this episode,  we continue the discussion on Imamate and  study the period of Imamate of the Second Infallible Successor of the Prophet of Islam, Imam Hassan (Peace be upon him).

Imam Hassan was the first grandson of Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny). He had the opportunity to benefit from the presence of three superior human beings on the planet, Prophet Mohammad, the First Infallible Imam of Prophet Mohammad’s Household, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him), and the Prophet’s venerable and infallible daughter, Hazrat Fatemeh (SA), in order to get prepared for the leadership of the Islamic Ummah in the future.

Undoubtedly, throughout the universe, Prophet Mohammad is the unique and prefect human being, and Imam Hassan is the popular grandson of such a prominent figure. The Prophet of Islam openly expressed his kindness and amity toward his infallible grandsons, Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussein (AS).

Abu-Bakr has been cited as saying that: “I saw the Prophet of Islam, at a podium, in the company of his infallible grandson, Imam Hassan. The Prophet of God at times looked at people, and at other times looked at his infallible grandson, while pointing out that whoever likes Hassan and Hussein in fact likes the Prophet, and whoever maintains enmity toward Hassan and Hussein, has expressed hostility toward the Prophet of Islam.”

Also the Prophet of Islam has been quoted as saying that: “Hassan and Hussein are the leading youths of Heaven.”

Furthermore, the Prophet of Islam was quoted as saying that: “Hassan is a fragrant flower which I have picked up from this world.”

One of the disciples of the Prophet of God has been cited as saying that: I saw Prophet Mohammad, carrying Imam Hassan on his shoulders and noting that he loves his infallible grandson Hassan, while praying to God to love Hassan, too.

Undoubtedly, expression of kindness and amity by Prophet Mohammad toward his infallible grandsons, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein, did not only maintain an emotional aspect, and the Prophet of God, upon expression of kindness toward his infallible grandsons intended to show the elevated status of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein before God, and to confirm the righteousness of their approach in the future.

Imam Hassan (AS) maintained numerous ethical virtues. He was one of the pioneers of science, virtues, piety, and worship of God in his era. He was known for his generosity, and he made utmost efforts to help and assist the poor and needy. His presence was a blessing for the needy. He sheltered the poor and was a source of hope for them. According to historical accounts, Imam Hassan donated his entire belongings for the sake of God, three times throughout his blessed life. Imam Hassan’s ethical virtues and manners were a reminder of the ethical virtues of his infallible grandfather, Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

In accordance to Islamic narrations, an elderly man from Shaam, who was influenced by the propaganda campaign of Omayyad rulers, insulted Imam Hassan. Upon listening to the elderly man’s insulting remarks, Imam Hassan smiled and addressed the elderly man, saying that: “I think you are a stranger here and you are probably mistaken. If you need anything tell us to fulfill your needs; if you need guidance, tell us to guide you; if you are hungry, tell us to provide you some food; If you don’t have any clothes, tell us to provide clothes for you; and if you don’t have an accommodation, tell us to accommodate you…”

Upon observing the honorable manners of Imam Hassan, the prejudgments of that elderly man were shattered and he became ashamed of his misbehavior toward the Infallible Imam. The elderly man looked at Imam Hassan and pointed out that he came to realize that Imam Hassan was the representative of God on earth. The elderly man went on to add that from then onwards, Imam Hassan and his infallible father, Imam Ali, were the most popular individuals in his view.

Imam Hassan always assisted his infallible father, Imam Ali, throughout battles and the complicated situation of that era. Imam Hassan was very patient and the difficult circumstances of his era never shook his resolve. He was also very courageous and battled at warfronts in the company of his infallible father.

The era of Imamate and caliphate of Imam Hassan began in 40 AH, after the martyrdom of Imam Ali (Peace be upon him). People of Kufa, and a number of other regions, swore allegiance with Imam Hassan. Meanwhile, the ungodly ruler of Shaam, Moavieh, felt threatened by the allegiance of people with Imam Hassan (AS).  Moavieh, who showed enmity toward Imam Ali, throughout Imam Ali’s rule, also decided to confront Imam Hassan. In order to wreak havoc in Kufa and Basra, Moavieh sent a number of spies to these cities, spreading rumors and waging a psychological warfare against Imam Hassan. Moreover, Moavieh, made deceitful promises to a number of individuals, wining their support. Imam Hassan got prepared to battle Moavieh, a number of times. But, every time, commanders of Imam’s troopers were deceived by Moavieh’s baseless promises, fleeing to Moavieh’s camp. Meanwhile, a number of others secretly wrote letters to ungodly Moavieh, encouraging him to come to Kufa.  Parallel to these conspiracies, Moavieh sent a letter to Imam Hassan, proposing peace.

Imam Hassan, upon observing the weakness of his troops, concluded that he did not have enough forces to confront Moavieh. Also, in order to prevent bloodshed and to safeguard the lives and belongings of Muslims, Imam Hassan was forced to accept peace.

In those difficult circumstances, acceptance of peace by Imam Hassan was based on foresight and to the benefit of the divine religion of Islam and Islamic Ummah, and intended to prevent bigger threats which were posed against the World of Islam and solidarity of the Islamic Ummah. Based on the related peace agreement, Moavieh was supposed to act in accordance to the Word of God and Prophet’s tradition. Also, based on this peace agreement, Moavieh did not have the right to choose someone as his successor. Also, Moavieh pledged not to harm Muslims and Shias wherever they were, including the regions of Hejaz, Yemen, and Iraq. In accordance of this peace treaty; the disciples and supporters of Imam Ali should have not been insulted, persecuted and pursued. However, after the conclusion of this peace treaty, Moavieh overtly violated its contents. He made a speech, noting that he had fought Imam Ali’s supporters in order to rule them, and that he would not be committed to any agreement which he had concluded with Imam Hassan. In this manner, Moavieh clearly broke his pledges and showed his actual deceitful character more than ever.

Meanwhile, Imam Hassan delivered a keynote speech and referred to his motives in acceptance of peace. He also disclosed the drawbacks and the backgrounds of ungodly Moavieh and Omayyad Dynasty.

After the peace agreement, Imam Hassan went to Medina in the company of his disciples and associates.

Throughout Moavieh’s rule, this ungodly figure breached all of the articles of the related peace agreement, and based his regime in accordance to the customs and traditions of the Age of Ignorance. In violation of the peace agreement, Moavieh brutally suppressed Shias; torturing, persecuting, and massacring them. He martyred many of Imam Ali’s supporters. Moreover, in order to carry out his ominous plots and in violation of his agreement with Imam Hassan, Moavieh took a number of measures for instatement of his evil son, Yazid, as his successor.

Upon arriving in Medina, Imam Hassan made utmost efforts to promote the Islamic culture. Hadith scholars and scientists voiced support for Imam Hassan. Some of Imam Hassan’s supporters were the disciples of Prophet of Islam and Imam Ali, such as Jaber ibn Abdullah Ansari, Moslem ibn Aqil, and Komayl ibn Ziad. They stood up against the rebellions of Omayyad Dynasty.

Imam Hassan sheltered the devotees of Prophet Mohammad’s Infallible Household against the suppressive policies of Omayyad rulers, and courageously stood up against their injustices, and barbarism. The Infallible Imam continuously called into question the legitimacy of Omayyad rulers and warned against Moavieh’s destructive and unjust measures.

Undoubtedly, the presence of Imam Hassan, his righteousness, and opposition to injustices of Omayyad rulers, had concerned the suppressive Omayyad figures. Furthermore, Imam Hassan was against the ominous plots hatched by Moavieh, who intended to instate his corrupt son, Yazid, as his successor. Finally, Moavieh’s agents poisoned and martyred Imam Hassan on 50 AH.

MR/MG