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"A
Man Qualified for Tough Missions"
By
Ayatullah Fadhlullah
Allah
says in His Glorious Book:
“Allah’s wish is but to remove
uncleanness far from you, O folk of the Household and cleanse
you with a through cleansing.”
This Ayat refers to Ahl-al-Bayt
(members of the household) who are Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn
(as) while they were with the Messenger, covered by the same
cover, united by the same religion, and honored by their love to
Allah (swt), their commitment to His worshippers and their
strive to serve His Message. The Ayat affirms the infallibility
of Ahl-al-Bayt (as) as they were purified from doing or saying
anything wrong.
Raised
by The Prophet
One
of the members of Ahl-al-Bayt (as) is Imam Hasan bin Ali bin Abi
Talib (as) whose death anniversary is on the 28th of the month
of Safar. He was the first born son of Ali (as) and Fatima (as)
after the immigration to Medina
and he is the first grandson of the Prophet (p.). He enjoyed,
along with his brother Imam Husayn (as), the best upbringing a
human could ever have, because it did not only provide love and
physical care but it also nurtured the mind and the soul.
The
Messenger (p.) raised his grandsons as he raised both their
father and mother before them, thus, they were fortunate
enough to enjoy the care and love of the Messenger twice, once
directly and the other by inheritance. They lived their early
childhood with the Messenger (p.) And it was the first time the
Muslims saw the Messenger playing with children, something he
did not do with any of his children before. He used to carry
them on his back and play with them. He used to tell Muslims
that he loves them and used to pray for them saying:
“O, God, I
love them and I ask You to love them and love those who love
them”.
They
also enjoyed the love and care of their parents at home. It was
an upbringing of nobleness and purity under the sponsorship of
the Prophet (p.) who planted in them all the seeds of spiritual
values that were nurtured and grown by Imam Ali and Fatima
Al-Zahra (as). Imam Hasan (as) lived all the events, and
tragedies his mother faced following the death of Muhammad (p.).
He
kept them in his mind but they did not fill him with despair.
Rather he became aware of the flows and shortcomings of Muslims
who lived at that time. After the death of his mother he was
taken care of by his father who filled his mind and that of his
brother with knowledge and filled their hearts with love for
Allah, the Prophet and all people. He also taught them that they
should dedicate their lives to serve the message.
Thus
Imam Hasan (as) grew up to be as if he were a copy of the
Messenger. For it was said that he looked like the Messenger in
both his looks and his manners. He also resembled Imam Ali (as)
because the Commander of the Faithful gave Hasan (as) all of his
traits. Thus he grew up to be strong in his faith in God and
knowledgeable of His message. He was also so firm in his stands
that he was one of those who talked with Abu Zhar when he was
exiled although the caliph banned the Muslims from saying
farewell to him.
A
Man Qualified for Tough Missions:
Thus,
when Imam Ali (as) became the caliph and was opposed by some of
the people who were sick in their hearts, he sent his son to the
city of
Kufa
to solve this problem. He proved to be very wise and firm at the
same time. Moreover the speeches and sermons he gave there were
among the most pious and guiding speeches.
..
We
also saw him helping his father in all his affairs and fighting
all his wars and battles. Imam Ali used to refer to him so
that the people will learn that he was the Imam to follow him.
When Imam Ali (a.s) was martyred, Imam Hasan (as) became the Imam
by God’s command, as it was evident by the saying of His
prophet: “Al –Hasan and Al-Husayn are Imams whether they
chose to stand (act) or sit (not act)", and “Al –Hasan and
Al–Husayn are the masters of the youth of Heaven” .Who among
all Muslims of that age was awarded this medal, especially in
view of the fact that Muhammad (p) does not follow his own
passions? When he says something then surely it was revealed to
him from God, especially when he is taking about such a
significant issue as a rank in Heaven. Who else besides Hasan
(as) and Husayn (as) were awarded such a medal by a man who says
nothing but truth and who is believed in everything he says. But
at that time, the Muslim community was plagued by various sorts
of complications: intimidations, temptations and fanaticism as a
result of the schemes and plots of Muawiah who managed to
destabilize the rule of Imam Ali (as) by his various wars,
whether actual fighting or the wars of deception and money.
After Imam Ali’s death, Muawiah continued these wars with Imam
Hasan (as) and was able to destabilize his army, for he managed
to buy some of heads of tribes and other weak people. Some of
those wrote to Muawiah saying: “If we want, we can hand you
Al-Hasan (as), dead or alive." In this period the Imam
survived several attempts on his life. Thus, the Imam studied
the situation and concluded that circumstances were not favourable
to continue to fight with such a divided army. For it
will only lead to the victory of Muawiah, who would take
advantage of such a victory to eliminate all leaders of
opposition of the companions of Imam Ali, leaving no voice that
will rise to stand for what is right. He also wanted to pave the
way for Imam Hussein’s movement. For Imam Husayn’s
revolution is an echo of Hasan’s truce, since it was by no
means a recognition of the legitimacy of Muawiah’s rule, but a
truce in which he imposed his own conditions. One of these
conditions was that he will be the next caliph once Muawiah
dies. Needless to say that the Umayyad ruler did not respect
these conditions, and planned to assassinate Imam Hasan (as) to
ensure that his son,Yazid, will succeed him. He seduced
Hasan’s wife with a large sum of money and promised to marry
her with Yazid. She gave the Imam some poisoned food and he was
martyred.
Concern
for the Welfare of the Nation:
The
Imam wanted not to shed any blood in his funeral. He knew that
the Umayyads would not allow his body to be buried near his
grandfather; therefore told his brother Husayn (as) in his
will that he wanted to be buried at Baqi’, and expressed his
wish that he did not want any blood shed at his funeral.
But
the Imam (as) wanted his body to visit the prophet’s grave
before he was taken to his final destination.
This
was opposed by Aisha and some of her followers who started to
cry: Hasan (as) would not be buried with his grandfather. But
when Banu Hashim tried to fight them, Imam Husayn (as) stopped
them, following his brother’s will.
The
Role Model
The
Imam was a role model in his manners, generosity and he was greatly respected by all his
contemporaries. He performed
pilgrimage on foot 25 times. He was also a very charitable man
whose money was dedicated for the poor and the needy. Moreover,
he was also a great speaker who used to take every chance he
got, to guide people in his sermons, speeches and sayings for
the good and the cause of Allah.
In
our meeting today, I would like to take a speech by Hasan (as)
that gives us the basic components that a good personality of a
pious believer is composed of. The Imam, describing a pious
brother of his said: He was in my view one of the greatest
people. What made him such was above all that this life did not
mean much to him. He did not consider the pleasures of this
world as his first concern in a way that he will sell himself
for these pleasures. His only concern was the hereafter and if
this world meant anything it was to do good to ensure his place
in the other world. He did not complain. He was patient when
he encountered difficulties. He used to spend most of his time
in silence but this is not because he was unable to speak, but
because he decided not speak unless it was necessary, but when
he spoke he would outdo all others. He used not to say what he
did not do or do what he did not say. If he had to chose between
two things he did not know which was nearer to God, he used to
leave out what he thought was nearer to his desires. He did not
to blame anyone for doing anything that there could be an excuse
for. Describing “council”, the Imam said: “If people
debate the issue among them they will surely find the right
way”. The Holy Quran says that Allah wants His Messenger,
despite the fact the he is infallible to consult with them upon
the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy
trust in Allah. Allah also described the community of believers
as one {whose affairs are a matter of counsel}. Some traditions
have it: “He who consults with others shares them their
minds”. The Imam (as) also wanted the people to be
grateful for Allah’s grace’s because when you are thankful,
Allah will increase what He bestows on you . Moreover, you
should also thank other people when they do good because this
will encourage them to be more charitable; that is why he says:
It is mean not to be grateful.
He
also said:
“He who wants to be powerful and respected without
being a member of a tribe or a ruler should move from the
disgrace of disobeying Allah to the greatness of obeying Him”.
.
Your obedience to Allah gives you pride and respect. His nephew,
Imam Zayn Al-Abideen (as), reaffirms the same meaning in his
supplication when he says:
..
“O God prevent me from thinking
that those who are poor are low or those who are rich are honourable, for the
honourable is he who is honoured by obeying
you."
Praise be Imam Hasan
(as) the day he was born, the day he was martyred and the
day he will be brought back to life. O God let us be of his
consistent followers in this world and of those whom he will
recede for in the Hereafter. You are Hearing and answering.
Walhamdo Lillahi Rabbil Aalameen
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