THE EXCELLENCE OF IMAM AL-HASSAN IBN ALI1 AND IMAM AL-HUSSAYN IBN

ALI2

It is reported that once, Imam al-Hassan approached the Holy Prophet ‫صلى الله‬
‫ عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬and climbed onto his shoulders. A person, (who was
present) remarked, “O blessed son! What a nice ride you have”. In reply, the
Holy Prophet ‫ صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬declared, “And how nice a rider
(also).”

Once, the Holy Prophet ‫ صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬was in prostration to His
Lord [Sajdah] when Imam Hassan wrapped himself on the blessed back of the
Holy Prophet ‫صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬. Due to this, the Holy Prophet ‫صلى الله‬
‫ عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬prolonged the sajdah so that he would not fall down when
he raised his head.

Pertaining to Imam al-Hassan and Imam al-Husayn, the Holy Prophet ‫صلى الله عليه‬
‫ و آله و صحبه و سلم‬has declared that, “Both these sons of mine are the leaders of
the youth in Jannah”.

The Holy Prophet ‫ صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬has also stated that, “Their
friends are my friends, their enemies are my enemies.”

He ‫ صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬has also stated that, “They are both the swords
of the heavens.” He ‫ صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬has also stated that, “al-
Husayn is from me and I am from al-Husayn. May Allah keep him as a friend who
keeps al-Husayn as his friend. Al-Husayn is a grandchild from amongst
grandchildren.”

1
Imam Jalaludin as-Suyuti writes the following on Our Master, Imam al-Hassan ibn Ali in his famed work ‘Tariq al-Kulafa’.

“Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (RadiAllahu Anhu), Abu Muhammad, the grandson of Sayyiduna Rasulullah ‫صلى ال عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬
and his perfume and the last khalifah as mentioned in the Hadith.

Al-Hassan was born on the 15th of Ramadan, the third year after Hijrah. He resembled Rasulullah ‫ صلى ال عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬very much.
Rasulullah (Sallal Laahu Alayhi Wasallam) named him al-Hassan (most beautiful and good). He sacrificed on his behalf on the 7th day and
shaved the newborn’s head. He instructed the weight of this hair, in silver, to be given away as charity.

Bhukari reports from Anas; said he; ‘No one resembled the prophet ‫ صلى ال عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬more than al-Hassan ibn Ali (RadiAllahu
Anhuma).

2
Sayyidi Mawlana Abdur Rahman al-Jami writes of our Master, the Martyr of Karbala, Sayyiduna al-Husayn ibn Ali that he is the third
Imam and the father of the Imams. His kunya is Abu Abdullah and his titles are Shaheed (Martyr) and Sayyid (Master). His birth took place
on Sunday, 4th Shabaan al-Mubarak 4 AH in Madina al-Munawwara. His period of gestation was only 6 months.

Sayyiduna Rasulullah ‫ صلى ال عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬named him al-Husayn. His beauty was such that when he sat in the dark the radiance from
his forehead and cheeks would light up both near and far.

It is narrated from Hazrat Umm al Hârith (may Allah be pleased with her!) that I (Umm al Hârith) went into the presence of the Prophet
and said that I have seen a dream which has frightened me. The Prophet said, `What did you see?' I replied, `I saw that a piece of flesh was
cut from your body and placed in my lap.' The Prophet ‫ صلى ال عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬said, `Soon Fatimah will bring a boy who will be in
your lap.' Shortly after this Hazrat Imam al-Husayn was born.
It is stated that once, the Holy Prophet ‫ صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬had Imam
al-Husayn on his right thigh and his own son, Sayyiduna Ebraheem on his left
thigh. Sayyiduna Jibra’eel al-Ameen appeared and declared, “Almighty Allah will
not keep both of them with the Prophet ‫صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬, choose one
of them.” The Holy Prophet ‫ صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬could not bear
separation from Imam al-Husayn. Three days later, Sayyiduna Ebraheem passed
away. After this incident, whenever Imam al-Husayn appeared in front of the Holy
Prophet ‫صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬, he would kiss him and declare, “Welcome
to the one for whom I have sacrificed my own son.”

Reference of above quote:

Taarikh-e-Baghdad, Vol.2, Page 200.

He ‫ صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم‬has also declared that, “They are both, my sons
and the sons of my daughter. O Allah! I have kept them in my friendship; You also
keep them in Your friendship and keep him as Your friend who keeps them as his
friends.”

He used to advise his blessed daughter, “Bring both my sons.” He used to then
inhale their scent and then hug them.