"...say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives..."
Holy Qur'an (42:23)
"He who pleases to look at the Lord of the Youths of Paradise, let him look at Hasan bin Ali."
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.)
"Hasan and Hussein are the two leaders, whether they go to war (against the unjust), or refrain from doing so."
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.)
Imamate, which means leadership, is a principle of Islam that is probably one of the most debated and, at the same time, most misunderstood of all its principles. Even the word "imam" has been taken on as a general term of leader, where, in Islam it has a very precise designation.
The Imams of the Ahlul-Bait (a.s.) were not leaders chosen by the people, although many times in order to take their right full position among the ummah they were "selected" by the people. The true Imams, those descending from the first Imam, Ali bin Abi-Talib (a.s.) and Fatimah al-Zahra' (a.s.) were chosen by Allah, Most High and number, including Imam Ali, twelve.
These twelve, Fatimah (a.s.) and the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) make up the Ahlul-Bait (a.s.). They were pure and sin less and possessed Divine knowledge of the seen and unseen. They are those who were "deemed weak in the land" and upon whom the "favor of Imamate" was bestowed. May they intercede for us on the Day of Judgement.
In these series of books about the Ahlul-Bait (a.s.) Al Balagh Foundation hopes to clear up many of the distorted "historical facts" about this most blessed group of human beings, may Allah, Most Gracious, count us among their lovers and followers.
The purpose of Imamate, through the kindness and love of Allah for His creatures, was to provide a guide for us after the death of the last Prophet, Muhammad bin Abdullah (s.a.w.). These guides would keep us on the straight path and lead us to victory in this life and the next. The first of them was Imam Ali (a.s.) and the last of them is Imam al-Mahdi, the Awaited One (a.s.).
Eleven of these blessed Imams came to power and proceeded with their Divinely assigned task. All of them met with the same fate--assassination.
The last of them, Imam Mahdi, through Allah's most high grace, has been given a long life to manage the affairs of the ummah in occultation until Allah calls him forward to achieve the task for which he was created--to bring justice to a world filled with injustice and to bring mankind to its final stage.
This book is about the second Imam, Imam Hasan (a.s.). He was the son of the first Imam who received his commission upon the death of his father, may Allah allow us to be called his Shi'ah. Many erroneous accounts have been given about Imam Hasan (a.s.), the most treacherous of them being about the number of wives he had and attributing worldly passions to him, God forbid! The most misunderstand and underestimated act of this great Imam was the signing of a peace treaty with the usurper Mu'awiyah.
A large portion of this book has been dedicated to clarifying this treaty. Why it was made. Why Imam Hasan (a.s.) was forced to sign it. What it contained and how it was broken.
We pray that Allah is pleased with our efforts and that the true glory of this Imam shines forth for all to see.
With Allah comes success.
INTRODUCTION
Praise be to Allah, the Praiseworthy, and peace and the blessing of Allah be upon the choice of His Messengers, Muhammad, and on the chosen people from among his ummah, his pure household and his righteous companions.
Leaving aside what the "official" historians have written and the fabrications, lies and falsehoods they have made, we will see that the majority of unbiased analysts and the common biographers recounted the life of Imam Hasan bin Ali (a.s.), the Prophet's grandson, with no analysis or explanation about the great unique position he took towards Mu'awiyah bin Abi Sufyan.
It is axiomatic that one cannot evaluate any historical event devoid of its major heroes, causes, reasons, the circumstances that led to it, and its results. Given objective, comprehension and unbiased examination into the event, the judgement can be correct, and the conclusion sound. History can, thus, say the truth.
The basil of the Messenger of Allah, peace and the blessings of Allah with him and his progeny, the pure Imam Hasan bin Ali, peace be with him, drew the most excellent image of political expertise and clever sense of jihad (Holy War), by his move against Mu'awiyah. It is not because he chose to seek peace or compromise that he agreed to a treaty in the Year of Unity as it was later called. It was because he wished to disclose the veiled falsities, and foil the plot of the unbelievers with the conditions he stipulated in the treaty with Mu'awiyah. Imam Hasan (a.s.) was sure Mu'awiyah wouldn't honor any one of them. That is exactly what had happened. Mu'awiyah put the terms of the treaty under his foot!
Moreover, Hasan (a.s.) wanted to reserve his brother, Hussein (a.s.) for the Day of Taff (sacrifice). By so doing, the epic would be consummated. The family of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) would attain martyrdom. No child, youth or grown-up would be spared. The family of the Prophet, the trusts of Allah, the Compassionate, would be taken captive from Karbala' to Yazid bin Mu'awiyah, bound up in fetters and shackles.
In signing and agreeing to this treaty, Imam Hasan (a.s.) aimed at perpetuating the steadfastness of the right in the face of the falsehood, and supporting the uprising of the mujahidin (those who fight in the way of Allah) against any deviation from Islam.
In presenting "Rays from the Life of Imam Hasan bin Ali (a.s.)", Al-Balagh Foundation hopes the present Muslim generation would find in it the light which brightens their path towards Allah, the Most High, and a flame which sharpens their determination, and solidifies their will to fight the enemies of Islam and humanity.
Allah, the Most High, is certainly, the best Patron, and best Supporter.
Al-Balagh Foundation