Biography of Imam Al Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib

Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with them, was a distinguished companion of the Prophet and a prominent figure in Islamic history. He is renowned as the "Sibt" (youth) of the people of Paradise and the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad; peace be upon him. This article provides an introduction to Al-Hasan, covering his name, lineage, birth, marriage, children, and virtues.

Name and Lineage of Al-Hasan ibn Ali

Al-Hasan ibn Ali, also known as Abu Muhammad, belonged to the noble lineage of Ali ibn Abi Talib, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. He was the son of Ali and Fatimah al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad; peace be upon him.

Birth of Al-Hasan ibn Ali

Al-Hasan was born in the month of Ramadan in the third year after the Hijrah, according to the most authentic opinion. Some said he was born in Sha'ban, and others said later than that.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "When Al-Hasan was born, I named him Harb (meaning ‘war’). Then the Prophet ﷺ came and said, 'Show me my son. What did you name him?' We said, 'Harb.' He said, 'No, rather he is Hasan.'

When Al-Husayn was born, I named him Harb again. The Prophet ﷺ came and said, 'Show me my son. What did you name him?' We said, 'Harb.' He said, 'No, rather he is Husayn'".

Family Tree of Al Hasan ibn Ali

Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with them both) was one of the two leaders of the youth in Paradise, and a prominent member of the Prophet’s household (Ahl al-Bayt). He comes from a noble lineage that combines prophethood and leadership, with descendants that deeply influenced Islamic history.

His Noble Lineage (Ancestry)

• His Father, Ali ibn Abi Talib: The cousin of the Prophet ﷺ, the first male to embrace Islam, and the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph.
• His Mother, Fatimah al-Zahra: Daughter of the Prophet ﷺ and the leader of all women.
• His Grandfather, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: The final Messenger of Allah.
• His Grandmother, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid: The first woman to believe in the Prophet ﷺ.

His Siblings (from both parents)

• Al-Husayn ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): His younger brother and the martyred Imam of Karbala.
• Zaynab al-Kubra: His sister, known for her courage and steadfastness at Karbala.
• Umm Kulthum: His youngest sister.

His Wives and Children

Al-Hasan married several women and had many sons and daughters. Among his most well-known children:

Sons:

• Zayd ibn Al-Hasan – One of his most prominent sons.
• Al-Hasan al-Muthanna – Survived the Battle of Karbala and continued the lineage.
• Abdullah ibn Al-Hasan
• Umar ibn Al-Hasan
• Al-Qasim ibn Al-Hasan – Martyred at Karbala as a young man.

Daughters:

• Fatimah bint Al-Hasan – Married to Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin (son of Al-Husayn). Their lineage produced great descendants, including Imam Muhammad al-Baqir.

Descendants and Legacy

Al-Hasan’s lineage continued through his sons, especially Al-Hasan al-Muthanna and Zayd, and many noble families descend from him, including:

• The Hassani Sharifs in North Africa.
• The Hassani Alawites in the Hijaz region.
• The Hashemites who rule Jordan today.

Al Hasan ibn Ali's Knowledge

Al-Hasan was raised in the house of Prophethood. In his childhood, he was influenced by his grandfather ﷺ and his mother, Lady Fatimah, and he benefited from the vast knowledge of his father, who gave him great attention. The Commander of the Faithful, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), used to teach people the Book of Allah, including his sons. From him, Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them both) learned his method of explaining religious rulings and his approach to legal deduction, which included adherence to the apparent meaning of the Qur'an, interpreting the general in light of the specific, the ambiguous in light of the clear, knowledge of abrogating and abrogated verses, consideration of the Arabic language, understanding one text in light of another, asking about difficult matters, knowing the context of verses, specifying the general, understanding the customs and conditions of the Arabs, and possessing strong understanding and broad comprehension.

The Holy Qur'an was the educational foundation for that generation, including Al-Hasan ibn Ali. Along with the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, the noble Qur'anic verses he heard from his father, the Commander of the Faithful Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), had a deep impact on his knowledge and personality. His heart was purified, his soul was refined, and his spirit interacted with the divine guidance, allowing him to perceive the great truths of existence. He narrated from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, and Uthman ibn Affan. From him, Qur’anic recitation was learned by ‘Asim, ‘Ata’, and Al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them).

Allah Almighty honored Al-Hasan ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) with a life connected to the Qur'an. He lived by it, derived its principles and details from the Book of Allah and the guidance of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He became one of the imams of guidance, setting the path for people to follow, and people emulated his words and actions in life. He (may Allah be pleased with him) was among the people of the Qur’an. Through the Qur'an and his father's upbringing, the Commander of the Faithful Ali, Al-Hasan, came to know who the true God worthy of worship is. Thus, his perspective on Allah Almighty, the universe, life, Paradise and Hell, divine decree and destiny, the reality of man, and his struggle with Satan, all were derived from the Qur'an and the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ.

As for his grandfather ﷺ, he passed away when Al-Hasan was still young, as is well known. Still, Al-Hasan understood and memorized many hadiths and matters attributed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He (may Allah be pleased with him) was an eloquent orator. One day, the Commander of the Faithful Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to Al-Hasan, “Stand and address the people.” Al-Hasan said, “I feel shy to speak while you are watching me.” So Ali concealed himself where he could hear but not be seen. Then Al-Hasan stood, praised and glorified Allah, and spoke. Al-Hasan inherited from his grandfather ﷺ and father eloquence, fluency, powerful speech, and clarity of expression. It is reported from him (may Allah be pleased with him) that he recommended learning the Arabic language, emphasizing the importance of applying proper rules in recitation, especially the recitation of Qur'anic verses. His vast knowledge and deep understanding of the principles of benefit and harm in Islamic jurisprudence are evident.

Al Hasan ibn Ali's Role in Reconciling and Unifying the Ummah

Al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) was given the pledge of allegiance by the public, and the commanders who had supported his father, as well as all the people who had pledged allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), also pledged to him. He assumed authority as Caliph, appointed governors, commanded the commanders, mobilized the troops, distributed stipends, and increased the soldiers’ pay by a hundred each, thereby gaining their approval.

He could have waged a relentless war against Mu‘awiyah, as his unique political, military, moral, and religious qualities, along with other factors, would have supported such an endeavor. However, Al-Hasan ibn Ali chose peace and reconciliation instead, aiming to spare bloodshed, unify the Ummah, seek the reward of Allah, and out of his disinterest in power and worldly rule, among other reasons.

Al-Hasan ibn Ali led a reform initiative that culminated in the unity of the Ummah. Control of the situation remained with him and his supporters, and his military front was strong.

He (may Allah be pleased with him) had a clear reformist vision that progressed through stages, was motivated by sincere intentions, overcame obstacles, and has remained a source of pride for Al-Hasan ibn Ali throughout history. Dr. Khalid Al-Ghaith (may Allah preserve him) said:

“Al-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him, in his reconciliation with Mu‘awiyah and his sparing of Muslim blood, was like ‘Uthman in compiling the Qur’an, and like Abu Bakr in fighting the apostates. The clearest proof of this is that the Prophet’s prophecy is fulfilled in this act. Al-Bukhari narrated from Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: ‘I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on the pulpit, and Al-Hasan ibn Ali was beside him. The Prophet would turn to the people once and to him another time, and said: This son of mine is a leader, and perhaps Allah will bring reconciliation through him between two great factions of Muslims’”.

The reconciliation between Al-Hasan and Mu‘awiyah (may Allah be pleased with them both) is one of the monumental events in the history of the Islamic Ummah. Among the most important factors behind this reconciliation was the Prophet’s ﷺ supplication that Allah would bring peace between two major Muslim groups through Al-Hasan. This blessed prayer gave Al-Hasan the confidence and determination to proceed with the peace treaty, seeking the reward of Allah and the betterment of the Ummah.

Al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) was disinterested in worldly life, power, and leadership. If he had desired it, he could have waged war for many years, but his eyes were set on the Hereafter. He wanted to preserve the blood of the Ummah of Muhammad and was keen on maintaining its unity.

Lessons from the Life of Al-Hasan ibn Ali

• Prophetic Upbringing: Al-Hasan was raised under the care of the Prophet ﷺ, who instilled in him compassion, piety, and detachment from worldly desires. He learned values like forgiveness, patience, and avoidance of doubtful matters.
• Asceticism and God-Consciousness: Al-Hasan was deeply pious and disinterested in worldly gains, always keeping the Hereafter in mind.
• Worship and Devotion: He was dedicated to prayer, frequenting the mosque, and night worship, motivated by his grandfather’s teachings.
• Mercy and Forgiveness: Known for his extreme forbearance and tendency to forgive even those who wronged him. He avoided conflict and bloodshed, especially during internal Muslim disputes.
• Position on the Caliphate: After his father Ali, was assassinated, Al-Hasan assumed the caliphate. However, seeing the risk of continued bloodshed, he relinquished it to Muawiyah to preserve Muslim unity, fulfilling the Prophet’s prophecy that “this son of mine is a leader, and perhaps Allah will bring reconciliation through him between two great groups of Muslims.”
• Refuting Extremists and Protecting the Ummah: He opposed those who exaggerated the status of his family (Ahl al-Bayt) or insulted the Companions, using sound reasoning and clear knowledge.
• Serving the People: Al-Hasan remained accessible to the public, helping fulfill their needs and showing generosity, humility, and leadership by example.

Death of Al-Hasan ibn Ali

Al-Hasan ibn Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, passed away in the year 670 CE in the city of Medina. His death marked the end of his leadership as caliph and was a moment of deep sorrow for the Muslim Ummah.

It has been reported that Al-Hasan was poisoned, though there is disagreement regarding who was responsible, and no definitive evidence identifies the perpetrator. Some sources say he died in the year 49 AH, others say in 50 AH, and some say in 51 AH.

Umayr ibn Ishaq said:

“We were with Al-Hasan ibn Ali when he entered the washroom and came out saying: ‘I have been given poison several times, but never like this one. I have vomited a portion of my liver.’ His brother Al-Husayn asked him: ‘My brother, who poisoned you?’ Al-Hasan replied: ‘Why do you ask? Do you intend to kill him?’ Al-Husayn said, ‘Yes.’ Al-Hasan replied: ‘If it is the one I suspect, then Allah will take greater vengeance. And if it is someone else, then I do not wish an innocent person to be killed because of me’”.

Thus, Al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) did not name his killer and left the matter to Allah. May Allah have mercy on him and be pleased with him.