Written by: Hafiz Sher Muhammad
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said about Sayyidina Hasan ibn Ali (R.A) and Sayyidina Hussain ibn Ali (R.A): "They are my two fragrant flowers from this world." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3753)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain. May Allah love those who love Hussain. Hussain is a tribe among the tribes."
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3775, and he said: This is a Hasan Hadith, Musnad Ahmad 172/4, Monthly Al-Hadith: 24 p. 48, this narration is Hasan lighayrihi)
Sayyidina Saad ibn Abi Waqqas (R.A) narrated that when this verse was revealed: "Let us call our sons and your sons" (Aal-e-Imran: 61), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Hussain (may Allah be pleased with them all) and said:
"O Allah, these are my family."
(Sahih Muslim: 2402/32, Darussalam numbering: 6220)
Sayyidah Aishah (R.A) narrated that one morning the Prophet (ﷺ) went out wearing a striped cloak made of black camel hair. Hasan ibn Ali (R.A) came, and the Prophet (ﷺ) covered him with the cloak. Then Hussain (R.A) came, and he was also covered. Then Fatimah (R.A) came, and he covered her as well. Then Ali (R.A) came, and he covered him too. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) recited:
"Allah only wishes to remove all impurity from you, O members of the family, and to purify you thoroughly."
(Al-Ahzab: 33) (Sahih Muslim: 2422/61, Darussalam: 6261)
Sayyidina Zaid ibn Arqam (R.A) said:
"His wives are from his family, but here, the members of his family are those for whom accepting charity is forbidden after him."
This includes the family of Ali, the family of Aqeel, the family of Ja'far, and the family of Abbas. (Sahih Muslim: 2408, Darussalam numbering: 6225)
Sayyidina Waathilah ibn al-Asqa (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) seated Fatimah on his right side, Ali on his left side, and Hasan and Hussain in front of him, then said:
"Allah only wishes to remove all impurity from you, O members of the family, and to purify you thoroughly."
(Al-Ahzab: 33)
"O Allah, these are my family."
(Sahih Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan: 6976/6937, Al-Mawārid: 2245, Musnad Ahmad 107/4, authenticated by Al-Bayhaqi 152/2, and Al-Hakim 147/3 Hadith 4706 based on the criteria of Al-Bukhari and Muslim, approved by Al-Dhahabi according to the criteria of Muslim, and the Hadith is Sahih)
Sayyidah Umm Salamah (R.A) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said about Ali (R.A), Fatimah (R.A), Hasan (R.A), and Hussain (R.A):
"O Allah, these are my family."
(Al-Mustadrak 416/2 Hadith 3558 with a Hasan chain, authenticated by Al-Hakim based on the criteria of Al-Bukhari)
In Musnad Ahmad (292/6 Hadith 26508 b), there is a supporting narration with a Sahih chain. The Hadith stating that Sayyidina Ali (R.A), Sayyidah Fatimah (R.A), Sayyidina Hasan (R.A), and Sayyidina Hussain (R.A) are from the family is also narrated by Umar ibn Abi Salamah (Tirmidhi: 3787 with a Hasan chain).
In another narration from Sayyidah Umm Salamah (R.A), the Prophet (ﷺ) said to her:
"You are one of my family."
(Mushkil al-Athar by Tahawi / Tuhfat al-Akhyar 471/8 Hadith 6147 with a Hasan chain)
In summary, it is undoubtedly established through authentic and definitive evidence that Sayyidina Ali (R.A), Sayyidina Hussain (R.A), and Sayyidina Hasan (R.A) are part of the family of the Prophet (ﷺ). Despite this, some unfortunate individuals raise the banner of hostility and claim that they are not from the family.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Hasan and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise."
(Musnad Ahmad 3/3 Hadith 10999 from Abu Saeed al-Khudri (R.A) with a Sahih chain, Al-Nasa'i in Al-Kubra: 8525 and in Khasa'is Ali: 140)
Sayyidina Hudhaifah (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: This angel (Jibril (A.S)) has given me the glad tidings that:
"Indeed, Hasan and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise."
(Tirmidhi: 3781 with a Hasan chain, and Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Gharib", authenticated by Ibn Hibban, Al-Mawārid: 2229, and Ibn Khuzaymah: 1194, Al-Dhahabi in Talkhis al-Mustadrak 381/3)
Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Masood (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Hasan and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise, and their father (Sayyidina Ali (R.A)) is better than them."
(Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim 167/3 Hadith 4779 with a Hasan chain, authenticated by Al-Hakim and approved by Al-Dhahabi)
The Hadith stating "The leaders of the youth of Paradise" is Mutawatir (mass-transmitted). (Nadhm al-Mutanathir from Al-Hadith al-Mutawatir p. 207 Hadith: 235, Qatf al-Azhar al-Mutanathirah fi al-Akhbar al-Mutawatirah by Al-Suyuti p. 286 Hadith: 105, Laqat al-Lā’āli al-Mutanathirah fi al-Ahadith al-Mutawatirah by Al-Zabidi p. 149 Hadith: 45)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"These two (Hasan and Hussain) are my sons and the sons of my daughter. O Allah, I love them, so love them and love those who love them."
(Al-Tirmidhi: 3769 with a Hasan chain and said: "This is a Hasan Gharib Hadith" in which Musa ibn Yaqub al-Zam'i is Hasan al-Hadith and authenticated by the majority)
Atā bin Yasar (a Tabi'i) (Rahimahullah) narrated that a man (Sahabi) told him that he saw the Prophet (ﷺ) holding Hasan and Hussain (R.A) close to his chest and saying:
"O Allah, I love them, so love them."
(Musnad Ahmad 369/5 Hadith 23133 with a Sahih chain)
Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Abbas (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Love Allah for what He nourishes you with His blessings, love me for the love of Allah, and love my family for my love."
(Tirmidhi: 3789 with a Hasan chain, and Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Gharib", authenticated by Al-Hakim 150/3 Hadith 4716 and approved by Al-Dhahabi, Al-Mizzi said: "This is a Hasan Gharib Hadith" / Tahdhib al-Kamal 199/10, Abdullah bin Sulaiman al-Naufali is authenticated by Tirmidhi, Al-Hakim, and Al-Dhahabi, so his Hadith is Hasan)
Sayyidina Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (R.A) said:
"Respect Muhammad (ﷺ) in his family."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 3751)
Sayyidina Abu Huraira (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever loves them (Hasan and Hussain), he loves me, and whoever holds grudge against them, he holds grudge against me."
(Musnad Ahmad 440/2 Hadith 9673 and Fada'il al-Sahabah by Ahmad: 1376 with a Hasan chain, authenticated by Al-Hakim 166/3 Hadith 4777 and approved by Al-Dhahabi, Abdul Rahman bin Mas'ud al-Yashkari is authenticated by Ibn Hibban 106/5, Al-Hakim, and Al-Dhahabi, and Al-Haythami said in Majma' al-Zawaid 240/5: "He is trustworthy," so his Hadith does not fall below the degree of Hasan)
In another place, Hafiz Al-Dhahabi graded this narration as strong. (See Tarikh al-Islam 95/5 and said: "In Musnad, it has a strong chain")
Once, the Prophet (ﷺ) was delivering a sermon when Hasan and Hussain (R.A) came forward. The Prophet (ﷺ) descended from the pulpit, picked them up, and placed them in front of him, then resumed his sermon. (Tirmidhi: 3774 with a Hasan chain, Abu Dawud: 1109, Al-Nasa'i 108/3 Hadith 1414, and Tirmidhi said: "This is a Hasan Gharib Hadith", authenticated by Al-Tabari in his Tafsir 81/28, Ibn Khuzaymah: 1456, 1801, Ibn Hibban in Al-Mawārid al-Zamān: 2230, Al-Hakim 287/1, 189/4 and approved by Al-Dhahabi, Al-Dhahabi said in Tarikh al-Islam 97/5: "Its chain is authentic")
Sayyidina Amr ibn al-As (R.A) was sitting in the shade of the Kaaba when he saw Hussain ibn Ali (R.A) approaching. He said:
"This person is the most beloved to the inhabitants of the heavens from among the people on earth today."
(Tarikh Damascus 181/14 with a Hasan chain, Younus bin Abi Ishaq is free from Tadlis as in Al-Fath al-Mubin fi Tahqiq Tabaqat al-Mudallisin 2/66 p. 48)
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said about Sayyidina Hasan ibn Ali (R.A) and Sayyidina Hussain ibn Ali (R.A): "They are my two fragrant flowers from this world." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3753)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain. May Allah love those who love Hussain. Hussain is a tribe among the tribes."
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3775, and he said: This is a Hasan Hadith, Musnad Ahmad 172/4, Monthly Al-Hadith: 24 p. 48, this narration is Hasan lighayrihi)
Sayyidina Saad ibn Abi Waqqas (R.A) narrated that when this verse was revealed: "Let us call our sons and your sons" (Aal-e-Imran: 61), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Hussain (may Allah be pleased with them all) and said:
"O Allah, these are my family."
(Sahih Muslim: 2402/32, Darussalam numbering: 6220)
Sayyidah Aishah (R.A) narrated that one morning the Prophet (ﷺ) went out wearing a striped cloak made of black camel hair. Hasan ibn Ali (R.A) came, and the Prophet (ﷺ) covered him with the cloak. Then Hussain (R.A) came, and he was also covered. Then Fatimah (R.A) came, and he covered her as well. Then Ali (R.A) came, and he covered him too. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) recited:
"Allah only wishes to remove all impurity from you, O members of the family, and to purify you thoroughly."
(Al-Ahzab: 33) (Sahih Muslim: 2422/61, Darussalam: 6261)
Sayyidina Zaid ibn Arqam (R.A) said:
"His wives are from his family, but here, the members of his family are those for whom accepting charity is forbidden after him."
This includes the family of Ali, the family of Aqeel, the family of Ja'far, and the family of Abbas. (Sahih Muslim: 2408, Darussalam numbering: 6225)
Sayyidina Waathilah ibn al-Asqa (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) seated Fatimah on his right side, Ali on his left side, and Hasan and Hussain in front of him, then said:
"Allah only wishes to remove all impurity from you, O members of the family, and to purify you thoroughly."
(Al-Ahzab: 33)
"O Allah, these are my family."
(Sahih Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan: 6976/6937, Al-Mawārid: 2245, Musnad Ahmad 107/4, authenticated by Al-Bayhaqi 152/2, and Al-Hakim 147/3 Hadith 4706 based on the criteria of Al-Bukhari and Muslim, approved by Al-Dhahabi according to the criteria of Muslim, and the Hadith is Sahih)
Sayyidah Umm Salamah (R.A) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said about Ali (R.A), Fatimah (R.A), Hasan (R.A), and Hussain (R.A):
"O Allah, these are my family."
(Al-Mustadrak 416/2 Hadith 3558 with a Hasan chain, authenticated by Al-Hakim based on the criteria of Al-Bukhari)
In Musnad Ahmad (292/6 Hadith 26508 b), there is a supporting narration with a Sahih chain. The Hadith stating that Sayyidina Ali (R.A), Sayyidah Fatimah (R.A), Sayyidina Hasan (R.A), and Sayyidina Hussain (R.A) are from the family is also narrated by Umar ibn Abi Salamah (Tirmidhi: 3787 with a Hasan chain).
In another narration from Sayyidah Umm Salamah (R.A), the Prophet (ﷺ) said to her:
"You are one of my family."
(Mushkil al-Athar by Tahawi / Tuhfat al-Akhyar 471/8 Hadith 6147 with a Hasan chain)
In summary, it is undoubtedly established through authentic and definitive evidence that Sayyidina Ali (R.A), Sayyidina Hussain (R.A), and Sayyidina Hasan (R.A) are part of the family of the Prophet (ﷺ). Despite this, some unfortunate individuals raise the banner of hostility and claim that they are not from the family.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Hasan and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise."
(Musnad Ahmad 3/3 Hadith 10999 from Abu Saeed al-Khudri (R.A) with a Sahih chain, Al-Nasa'i in Al-Kubra: 8525 and in Khasa'is Ali: 140)
Sayyidina Hudhaifah (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: This angel (Jibril (A.S)) has given me the glad tidings that:
"Indeed, Hasan and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise."
(Tirmidhi: 3781 with a Hasan chain, and Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Gharib", authenticated by Ibn Hibban, Al-Mawārid: 2229, and Ibn Khuzaymah: 1194, Al-Dhahabi in Talkhis al-Mustadrak 381/3)
Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Masood (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Hasan and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise, and their father (Sayyidina Ali (R.A)) is better than them."
(Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim 167/3 Hadith 4779 with a Hasan chain, authenticated by Al-Hakim and approved by Al-Dhahabi)
The Hadith stating "The leaders of the youth of Paradise" is Mutawatir (mass-transmitted). (Nadhm al-Mutanathir from Al-Hadith al-Mutawatir p. 207 Hadith: 235, Qatf al-Azhar al-Mutanathirah fi al-Akhbar al-Mutawatirah by Al-Suyuti p. 286 Hadith: 105, Laqat al-Lā’āli al-Mutanathirah fi al-Ahadith al-Mutawatirah by Al-Zabidi p. 149 Hadith: 45)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"These two (Hasan and Hussain) are my sons and the sons of my daughter. O Allah, I love them, so love them and love those who love them."
(Al-Tirmidhi: 3769 with a Hasan chain and said: "This is a Hasan Gharib Hadith" in which Musa ibn Yaqub al-Zam'i is Hasan al-Hadith and authenticated by the majority)
Atā bin Yasar (a Tabi'i) (Rahimahullah) narrated that a man (Sahabi) told him that he saw the Prophet (ﷺ) holding Hasan and Hussain (R.A) close to his chest and saying:
"O Allah, I love them, so love them."
(Musnad Ahmad 369/5 Hadith 23133 with a Sahih chain)
Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Abbas (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Love Allah for what He nourishes you with His blessings, love me for the love of Allah, and love my family for my love."
(Tirmidhi: 3789 with a Hasan chain, and Tirmidhi said: "Hasan Gharib", authenticated by Al-Hakim 150/3 Hadith 4716 and approved by Al-Dhahabi, Al-Mizzi said: "This is a Hasan Gharib Hadith" / Tahdhib al-Kamal 199/10, Abdullah bin Sulaiman al-Naufali is authenticated by Tirmidhi, Al-Hakim, and Al-Dhahabi, so his Hadith is Hasan)
Sayyidina Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (R.A) said:
"Respect Muhammad (ﷺ) in his family."
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 3751)
Sayyidina Abu Huraira (R.A) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"Whoever loves them (Hasan and Hussain), he loves me, and whoever holds grudge against them, he holds grudge against me."
(Musnad Ahmad 440/2 Hadith 9673 and Fada'il al-Sahabah by Ahmad: 1376 with a Hasan chain, authenticated by Al-Hakim 166/3 Hadith 4777 and approved by Al-Dhahabi, Abdul Rahman bin Mas'ud al-Yashkari is authenticated by Ibn Hibban 106/5, Al-Hakim, and Al-Dhahabi, and Al-Haythami said in Majma' al-Zawaid 240/5: "He is trustworthy," so his Hadith does not fall below the degree of Hasan)
In another place, Hafiz Al-Dhahabi graded this narration as strong. (See Tarikh al-Islam 95/5 and said: "In Musnad, it has a strong chain")
Once, the Prophet (ﷺ) was delivering a sermon when Hasan and Hussain (R.A) came forward. The Prophet (ﷺ) descended from the pulpit, picked them up, and placed them in front of him, then resumed his sermon. (Tirmidhi: 3774 with a Hasan chain, Abu Dawud: 1109, Al-Nasa'i 108/3 Hadith 1414, and Tirmidhi said: "This is a Hasan Gharib Hadith", authenticated by Al-Tabari in his Tafsir 81/28, Ibn Khuzaymah: 1456, 1801, Ibn Hibban in Al-Mawārid al-Zamān: 2230, Al-Hakim 287/1, 189/4 and approved by Al-Dhahabi, Al-Dhahabi said in Tarikh al-Islam 97/5: "Its chain is authentic")
Sayyidina Amr ibn al-As (R.A) was sitting in the shade of the Kaaba when he saw Hussain ibn Ali (R.A) approaching. He said:
"This person is the most beloved to the inhabitants of the heavens from among the people on earth today."
(Tarikh Damascus 181/14 with a Hasan chain, Younus bin Abi Ishaq is free from Tadlis as in Al-Fath al-Mubin fi Tahqiq Tabaqat al-Mudallisin 2/66 p. 48)