Written by: Hafiz Sher Muhammad
Once, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was delivering a sermon on the pulpit. Nearby was Sayyiduna Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib (RA). The Prophet (PBUH) looked at him and then at the people, saying:
"Indeed, this son of mine is a Sayyid (leader), and perhaps Allah will use him to reconcile between two great factions of the Muslims."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 2704)
Sayyiduna Bara bin Azib (RA) narrates that he saw the Prophet (PBUH) carrying Hasan bin Ali (RA) on his shoulder and saying:
"(O Allah! I love him, so love him.)"
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 3749 and Sahih Muslim: 58/2422)
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that one day, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) went out with him during part of the day. He came to the tent of Fatimah (RA) and asked, "Where is the little boy? Is he here?" He was asking about Hasan (RA). Shortly, Hasan (RA) came running, and the Prophet (PBUH) embraced him and said, "O Allah! I love him, so love him and love those who love him."
(Sahih Bukhari: 2122 and Sahih Muslim: 57/2421)
The renowned and esteemed companion Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (RA) said:
"No one resembled the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) more than Hasan bin Ali (RA)."
(Sahih Bukhari: 3752)
The Prophet (PBUH) used to take Usama bin Zaid and Hasan (RA) together, and would place them on his thighs, saying:
"O Allah! Love them both, for I love them."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 3735)
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA) also loved Hasan (RA). Uqbah bin al-Harith (RA) narrates:
"I saw Abu Bakr (RA) carrying Hasan (RA) and saying, 'He resembles the Prophet (PBUH), not Ali.'"
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 375)
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA) said:
"Seek the love of the family of Muhammad (PBUH) in your love for them."
(Sahih Bukhari: 3751)
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Hasan and Husayn are the leaders of the youth of Paradise."
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3781 with a good chain, Musnad Ahmad: 3/3 Hadith 10999 with a sound chain)
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Whoever loves them (Hasan and Husayn), has indeed loved me, and whoever harbors hatred against them, has indeed harbored hatred against me."
(Musnad Ahmad: 2/440 Hadith 9673 with a good chain, authenticated by al-Hakim: 3/166 Hadith 4777 and agreed upon by al-Dhahabi)
Sayyiduna Miqdad bin Ma’dikarib (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) held Hasan (RA) in his lap and said:
"(He is from me)."
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 4131 with a good chain)
Sayyiduna Hasan (RA) possessed many virtues and merits, some of which have already been mentioned in the discussion of love for Sayyiduna Husayn (RA). Alhamdulillah.
Hasan al-Basri (RA) stated:
"By Allah! By Allah! After he assumed leadership, not a single drop of blood equivalent to that taken by cupping was shed during his caliphate."
(Musnad Ahmad: 5/44 Hadith 20447 with a good chain)
Sayyiduna Hasan (RA) strongly disliked discord among the Muslim Ummah. He made peace with Sayyiduna Amir Muawiyah (RA) and handed over the caliphate to him.
While delivering a sermon in Mada'in, Sayyiduna Hasan bin Ali (RA) said:
"Surely, Allah’s decree is about to happen, and it cannot be averted, even if people dislike it. I do not like to lead the Ummah of Muhammad (PBUH) even to the extent of a mustard seed if it means shedding even a small amount of blood. I know what benefits me and what harms me, so follow your own paths."
(Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir: 14/89 with a sound chain)
It is well-known that Sayyiduna Hasan (RA) married many women and divorced frequently, but the authenticity of such reports is questionable.
Sayyiduna Hasan (RA) passed away around the year 50 AH.
Hafiz al-Dhahabi writes:
"The leader, the flower of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his grandson, the leader of the youth of Paradise, Abu Muhammad al-Qurashi al-Hashimi al-Madani, the martyr."
(Siyar A'lam al-Nubala: 3/345, 346)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani writes:
"The grandson and flower of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), he was a companion and memorized Hadith from him. He was martyred by poison in 49 AH at the age of 47, though it is also said he died in 50 AH or after."
(Taqreeb al-Tahdhib: 1260)
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (RA) said:
"Waki' narrated to us: Yunus bin Abi Ishaq narrated from Burayd bin Abi Maryam al-Saluli from Abu Huraira from Hasan bin Ali (RA) who said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) taught me words to say in the Qunoot of Witr: O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided, and grant me health among those whom You have granted health, and take me into Your care among those whom You have taken into Your care, and bless me in what You have given, and save me from the evil of what You have decreed, for indeed You decree and none can decree over You, whom You befriend will never be humiliated, our Lord, You are blessed and exalted."
(Musnad Ahmad: 1/199 Hadith 1718 with a sound chain, authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah: 1095 and Ibn Jarood: 272)
A detailed and researched article would be required to compile all the narrations regarding the virtues and merits of Sayyiduna Hasan (RA). For now, this brief summary will suffice.
O Allah! Fill our hearts with love for Sayyiduna Hasan (RA), all the Companions, and the trustworthy followers among the Tabi'in, Tabi' Tabi'in, and the righteous predecessors. Ameen.
Loving Sayyiduna Hasan bin Ali and all the Companions is part of faith. May Allah be pleased with them all.