Al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) was the elder son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatimah, the Prophet's (ﷺ) daughter. He grew up in Medina in the arms of his grandfather.
The Prophet (ﷺ) foretold that through him Allah (﷾) would make peace between two large groups of Muslims. This guide is about his faith, and the peace he chose.
At a glance
- The elder son of Ali and Fatimah, born in Medina.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) carried him on his shoulder and asked Allah (﷾) to love him.
- He and his brother al-Husayn are the leaders of the young men of Paradise.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) taught him a prayer for the witr, the last prayer of the night.
- In 661 he gave up the leadership to end the fighting between Muslims, as his grandfather had foretold.
- c. 624
Born in Medina, the son of Ali and Fatimah. Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Childhood
The Prophet (ﷺ) carries him on his shoulder and prays for him, and foretells that he will make peace between Muslims. Sahih al-Bukhari 3749Sahih al-Bukhari 3746
- 632
His grandfather dies, and months later his mother Fatimah. Sahih al-Bukhari 4240
- 661
His father Ali dies. Many Muslims give al-Hasan their pledge. Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 661
Facing a second army, he makes peace and hands over the leadership, so that Muslim blood is not shed. Sahih al-Bukhari 2704Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 670
He dies in Medina. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Dates are in the Common Era. Early dates are approximate.
On the Prophet's (ﷺ) shoulders
Al-Hasan was born in Medina around 624, the first son of Ali and Fatimah. The Prophet (ﷺ) loved him dearly. A companion saw him carrying the boy on his shoulder, asking Allah (﷾) to love him as he loved him. Encyclopaedia BritannicaSahih al-Bukhari 3749
Once the Prophet (ﷺ) kissed al-Hasan while a tribal chief was sitting with him. The man said he had ten children and had never kissed any of them. The Prophet (ﷺ) looked at him and said that whoever shows no mercy will be shown none. Sahih al-Bukhari 5997
Abu Bakr once found the boy playing with other children. He lifted him onto his shoulders and said that he looked like the Prophet (ﷺ), not like Ali. Ali was standing by, and he smiled. Sahih al-Bukhari 3542
The Prophet (ﷺ) called al-Hasan and al-Husayn his two sweet-smelling flowers in this world. And he said that they are the leaders of the young men of Paradise. Sahih al-Bukhari 3753Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3768
What his grandfather taught him
The Prophet (ﷺ) taught his grandson from a young age. Once the little boy picked up a date that had been given in charity and put it in his mouth. The Prophet (ﷺ) made him spit it out: his family do not eat what is given as charity. Sahih al-Bukhari 1491
He also taught al-Hasan words to say in the witr, the last prayer of the night. In them a believer asks Allah (﷾) for guidance, well-being and blessing, and for protection from the harm of what He has decreed. Muslims still pray these words today. Sunan an-Nasa'i 1745
The peacemaker
One day the Prophet (ﷺ) stood in the pulpit with al-Hasan beside him. He looked at the people, then at the boy, and back again. Then he said that this grandson of his was a sayyid, a noble leader. Perhaps, he said, through him Allah (﷾) would make peace between two large groups of Muslims. Sahih al-Bukhari 3746Sahih al-Bukhari 3629
Years later those words came true. In 661 al-Hasan's father, Ali, was killed. Many Muslims gave their pledge to al-Hasan. Two large armies now faced each other: his, and the army of Mu'awiya in Syria. Encyclopaedia BritannicaSahih al-Bukhari 2704
Al-Hasan could have fought on. Instead he made peace. He handed over the leadership to Mu'awiya, so that Muslims would stop killing Muslims. And so his grandfather's words came true. Sahih al-Bukhari 2704Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers
It is not easy to give up power. Al-Hasan put the lives of Muslims and the unity of the believers first, and he is honoured for it to this day.
A quiet life in Medina
Al-Hasan went back to Medina, the city of his grandfather, and lived there for the rest of his life. He died there in 670. Encyclopaedia Britannica
What we can learn
Al-Hasan grew up in his grandfather's love, learned from him, and chose peace over power.
- Show mercy to children. The Prophet (ﷺ) kissed his grandson, and taught that whoever shows no mercy is shown none.
- Teach children early and gently. A date taken from charity became a lesson for life.
- Make peace between people. The Qur'an calls the believers one brotherhood.
- Unity is worth more than power. He gave up the leadership to save Muslim lives.