The Prophet’s Love for Al-Hasan
The Prophet said: “Hasan and Husayn are the lords of the youth of paradise” (al-Tirmidhi — authenticated). He said: “Whoever loves Hasan and Husayn loves me, and whoever hates them hates me.” (Ibn Majah) He placed Hasan on his shoulders during prayer. He stopped reciting Quran mid-surah once to pick up Hasan when he stumbled.
“Allahumma inni uhibbuhu fa-ahibbahu wa ahibb man yuhibbuhu” — “O Allah, I love him, so love him, and love whoever loves him.” (Bukhari)
The Caliphate and the Treaty (661 CE)
After Ali’s assassination, Hasan was acclaimed caliph in Kufa. He faced an immediate problem: Mu’awiya ibn Abi Sufyan, governor of Syria since ‘Umar’s time, refused to submit and commanded a much larger and better-supplied army.
Al-Hasan negotiated a peace treaty with Mu’awiya (Sulh al-Hasan) — agreeing to abdicate in exchange for terms including:
- Mu’awiya would govern justly by the Quran and Sunnah
- Mu’awiya would not designate a successor while Hasan lived (this term was violated)
- Safety for Hasan, Husayn, and Ahl al-Bayt
- No persecution of the followers of Ali
In Ismaili/Shi’a tradition, this was not capitulation but wisdom: Hasan recognized that fighting would result in massive Muslim casualties for uncertain outcome, while peace preserved the Ahl al-Bayt’s lives and the Muslim community. The Imam’s batin authority did not depend on holding political power.
Poisoning and Death
Al-Hasan died in Medina, approximately 670 CE, age 44-45. The classical accounts state he was poisoned — the primary suspicion falling on his wife Ja’da bint al-Ash’ath, who may have been induced by Mu’awiya’s agents. He reportedly asked not to be buried near the Prophet to avoid conflict with ‘Aisha — and was buried at al-Baqi’ cemetery in Medina.
See also: Imam Husayn, Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Fatima Al Zahra, Bohra History, Khilafa Rashida, Nass, Understanding Walayah