The virtues of Hassan bin Thabit al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him)

It is narrated from Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Numayr that Sayyiduna Hassan bin Thabit al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away during the rule of Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), in 55 AH.

It is narrated from Harmalah, the transmitter of the poetry of Sayyiduna Hassan bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him), that he said: I came to Hassan and said: "O Abu al-Husam (father of the sharp sword)."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Hassan bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: By Allah, I was then a discerning boy of seven or eight years, and I remembered whatever I heard, when I heard a Jew in Yathrib shouting from the top of his fortress: "O company of Jews!" When they had gathered, they asked: Woe to you, what is the matter with you? He said: "The star of the one who is to be sent (as a prophet) this night has risen."

It is narrated from Sa'id bin Abd al-Rahman bin Hassan bin Thabit that our forefather Haram Abu al-Mundhir lived one hundred and twenty years, his son al-Mundhir bin Haram one hundred and twenty years, his son Thabit bin al-Mundhir one hundred and twenty years, and his son Sayyiduna Hassan bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) also lived one hundred and twenty years. When the time of Hassan's death drew near, he kindled a fire, gathered his tribe and recited this verse: "Surely the man who spends his evenings and mornings safe from the harm of people is fortunate, except for what he himself has committed of wrong." After him, his son Abd al-Rahman bin Hassan bin Thabit lived somewhat more than eighty years. When his final hour came, he kindled a fire, gathered his tribe and recited this verse: "Surely the man who attains wealth but does not do good to a friend of his out of his bounty is most ungrateful." After him, his son Sa'id bin Abd al-Rahman bin Hassan bin Thabit lived somewhat more than 80 years, and at the time of his death he recited this verse: "Surely the man whose greatest concern is his world is holding on to the rope of delusion of this world."

It is narrated from Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to have a pulpit placed in the mosque for Sayyiduna Hassan (may Allah be pleased with him), on which he would stand and recite poems of pride on behalf of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) (against the idolaters), and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would say: "Indeed, Allah Almighty supports Hassan with the Holy Spirit (Sayyiduna Jibril, peace be upon him) as long as he defends the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) or responds with pride on his (peace and blessings be upon him) behalf."

A narration with the same meaning is reported from Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
This hadith has a sahih (authentic) chain, but the two Shaykhs did not record it.

It is narrated from Urwah that Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) strongly disliked that Sayyiduna Hassan bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) be reviled in her presence, and she would say (in his defence): "Is he not the one who said (out of love for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him) this verse: 'Indeed my father, his father and my honour are a shield for the honour of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) against you (idolaters).'"

It is narrated from Sulayman bin Yasar; he said: I saw Sayyiduna Hassan bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him), and the hair of his forelock was hanging down between his two eyes.