Imam Hasan- Symbol of Generosity

The Last Resting Place of Imam Hasan in Medina

(This article has been written specially on the eve of Imam Hasan's Birth Anniversary)

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

“The annihilation of people lies in three things: Arrogance, Greed and envy. Arrogance causes destruction of the religion and because of it Satan was cursed, and Greed is the enemy of one's soul, and because of it Adam was expelled from Paradise, and envy is the guide to wickedness, and because of it Qabil killed Habil.” How precisely and correctly describe these words of Imam Hasan as to how believers resort to self- destruction by forgetting the lessons of humility, patience and piety.

born in Medina on 15^th Ramadan (Ramzan) to Mala Ali and Khatoon-E-Jannat, Bibi Fatima in 624 AD, Imam Hasan is remembered as generous Imam and it is unanimously agreed that no one was more like the Apostle of Allah in form, manner and nobility. Contemporary accounts describe him as : "He had a white, reddish face. He had black eyes, smooth cheeks, thick beard, and curly, plentiful hair. His neck was as white as a jug of silver. His body was good. He had large shoulders, and big fleshy bones. He was of medium height; neither long nor short. He was handsome; the best of all people in face".

Throughout his life, Imam Hasan behaved in the most ethical manner and strived to influence people through his deeds to pass their lives the way Allah wanted and to check themselves from worldly temptations. Historians of early Islamic period have praised in most eloquent manner his vast knowledge, worshipping, generosity and forbearance. Historians have penned down: "Imam Hasan was the best of all people in worshipping Allah and refraining from the life in this world. When he performed ablution for prayers, his face always turned pale. While offering prayers, his whole body trembled. He performed the hajj on foot twenty-five times. He always wept at the mention of death, grave, resurrection and Sirat (name of the bridge the righteous can only cross on road to Paradise). Similar used to be his condition at the very mention of standing before Allah, Paradise and Fire. He mentioned Allah in all conditions whether pleasant or most trying.

His generosity could be gauged from the fact that he gave people his entire property in the way of Allah thrice. He twice distributed half of his household possessions among the needy. Once a man came to him and asked for help. Imam asked him writes his need on a piece of paper. The man wrote his need and submitted the paper to him. Much to the surprise of everyone around, including the help-seeker Imam offered double the amount asked for. When requested to explain his conduct by those sitting with him Imam replied “Its blessing for us is greater, for Allah has made us appropriate for doing good. Do you not know that doing good should be optional, namely without request. As for him whom you give after the request, you give him after he has lost face. He may spend his night restless and sleepless.” 

Imam was questioned once again by some people who saw him offering money to a poet. They asked “Glory be to Allah! Do you give the poet who disobeys the Merciful (Allah) and tells lies?" Imam Hasan said: "Servant of Allah, the best of your money is what you spend to protect your dignity. It is an act of kindness to avoid the evil."

A Bedouin approached Imam Hasan and sought some help to get rid of his needs. Imam Hasan commanded his servants to give him all the money in the safe. There were twenty thousand dirhams in the safe and entire amount was given to Bedouin.

One day Imam saw a black boy who was eating a piece of bread himself and also giving a part of it to his dog. Imam asked the boy as to why was he offering bread to dog?  "I feel shame of my dog when I eat and do not feed him," replied the boy. So pleased Imam became with his answer that he bought the boy and the garden where he lived from his master. He freed the boy and offered the ownership of the garden to him as well. Despite his exalted status, he was very humble and kind. One day he passed an area where poor persons were sitting on the ground with pieces of bread before them. They were eating the pieces.  When they saw Imam, they invited him to join them. Imam dismounted his camel, saying” Indeed, Allah does not love the proud." He began eating with them. Then he invited them and gave them food and clothes.

The materialistic forces could not digest his tremendous popularity and perceived his virtues as a threat to their imperial and anti-poor stance. They started hatching conspiracy against him after he became caliph after the martyrdom of Imam Hazrat Ali. After assuming his new responsibility, he addressed the people and reminded them of his right (to authority). The followers of his father pledged allegiance to him and he  succeeded his illustrious father in the best manner though his succession lasted for a very short span of time. The circumstances forced him to sign a treaty with Syrian Governor Muwaiya in 41 A.H.to protect Islam and avoid bloodshed of the believers. The anti-Ahle Bait elements did not spare him even after he left the caliphate. He was given poison several times. The last attempt proved fatal. When Imam Hasan felt his end close, he told his brother Imam Hussain " I am leaving you and meeting my Lord. I have been given poison to drink, and have spewed my liver into the basin. I am aware of the person who poisoned me and from where I have been made a subject to this deceitful action. I will oppose him before Allah, the Great and Almighty. Bury me with my grandfather. If they prevent you from doing so, then I make you swear not to shed even your blood into the cupping-glass in (carrying out) my command, till we meet the Apostle of Allah to oppose the people before him and to tell him about what we have suffered from them."

Imam breathed his last  on 28 Safar in 50 A.H. His burial near the grave of Prophet and his grandfather was opposed. Many from the clan of Bani Hashim  and supporters  rallied around Imam Hussain and urged him to bury his brother near his grandfather. Imam Hussain calmed them by saying “By Allah, if there had been no injunction to me from Imam Hasan to prevent bloodshed and that I should not even pour blood into a cupping-glass in carrying out his command, you would have known how the swords of Allah would have taken their toll from those who broke the agreement. Imam Hussain then reminded the opponents of the conditions of Peace Treaty.

Then Imam Hussain buried his brother in the cemetery of Baqi beside his grandmother, Fatima Bint-E-Asad. A decade later the tragedy of Karbala took place mainly because of the breach of the conditions laid down in the peace treaty. This tragic event of the history created such a divide among the believers that entire Muslim world today is confronted with sectarian violence with IS becoming a synonym of terror. Can’t we take pledge on the birth anniversary on Imam Hasan to follow the path of co-existence, humbleness and generosity instead of paying heed to those so called purifier of Islam who exhort people to behead innocent people and throw bombs at mosques to kill ‘Namazis’.( Reference available on request)