Imām Ḥasan al-Mujtabā (ʿa) – The Chosen One
Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) was the second divinely appointed Imām from the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa).
His parents were Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) and Sayyida Fāṭimah az-Zahrā (ʿa), the daughter of Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ).
When he was born, the Prophet (ṣ) named him al-Ḥasan by Allāh’s command. He recited the adhān in his right ear and the iqāmah in his left.
His title “al-Mujtabā” means “the chosen one.”
🌟 His Qualities
Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) spent the early years of his life under the care and guidance of his grandfather, the Prophet (ṣ). This upbringing shaped his:
Knowledge
Piety
Patience and tolerance
Wisdom and intelligence
Bravery
He was also known for his eloquence. Just as the Prophet (ṣ) and Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) were masters of Arabic speech, Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) was one of the most skilful speakers of his time.
His presence was so powerful that people said:
“The signs of the prophets and the glory of kings appeared on the face of al-Ḥasan.”
—Ibn Kathīr, Tārīkh, vol. 8, p. 37
🕌 His Khilāfah (Leadership)
After Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) was martyred on the 21st of Ramaḍān, the Muslims pledged allegiance to Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) as their Caliph.
On his first day as leader, Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) went to the pulpit and spoke about:
The greatness of his father Imām ʿAlī (ʿa)
His own closeness to the Prophet (ṣ)
How Allāh had chosen the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa) as the true guides of Islam
That only they truly knew the real meaning of the Qurān
⚔️ The Challenge of Muʿāwiya
At the same time, Muʿāwiya, son of Abū Sufyān, ruled over Damascus. He had always opposed Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) and now did the same with Imām Ḥasan (ʿa).
Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) prepared for battle against Muʿāwiya. But Muʿāwiya was bribing the Imām’s army with money and promises, and many soldiers deserted him.
Only the true Shīʿa remained loyal, but they were few. Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) realised he couldn’t rely on most of his troops.
Meanwhile, Muʿāwiya:
Spread lies and rumours
Bribed tribal leaders
Ordered the killing of Shīʿa
Wrote to Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) demanding peace and offering a treaty
✍️ The Peace Treaty
Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) knew Muʿāwiya was dishonest and would break the treaty.
But he also knew that Muslims needed to see this with their own eyes, so he agreed—not to give up the truth, but to protect lives and allow Islam to survive.
The main conditions of the treaty:
Muʿāwiya must rule according to the Qurān and the Sunnah of the Prophet (ṣ)
He must not harm or attack the Shīʿa of Imām Ḥasan (ʿa)
He must not curse Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) or speak ill of him
He could not appoint anyone to rule after him
Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) would not call him “Amīr al-Muʾminīn”
After Muʿāwiya’s death, leadership returns to Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) or, if he is not alive, to Imām Ḥusayn (ʿa)
Sadly, Muʿāwiya broke all the promises. He continued to curse Imām ʿAlī (ʿa), hurt the Shīʿa, and planned to pass rule to his son Yazīd.
Still, Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) used this time to spread the true teachings of Islam and strengthen people’s belief.
☠️ His Martyrdom
Muʿāwiya continued looking for ways to get rid of Imām Ḥasan (ʿa). Eventually, he bribed the Imām’s wife to poison him. He promised her money and marriage to his son Yazīd.
After she poisoned Imām Ḥasan (ʿa), Muʿāwiya gave her money but refused the marriage, saying:
“I can’t trust you. You might poison my son too.”
As he lay dying, Imām Ḥasan (ʿa):
Appointed Imām Ḥusayn (ʿa) as the next Imām
Asked him not to seek revenge, but leave it to Allāh
Asked to be buried next to the Prophet (ṣ), but only if it would not cause a fight
Imām Ḥusayn (ʿa) tried to bury him next to the Prophet (ṣ), but the Banū Umayya protested and blocked the burial.
Because of Imām Ḥasan’s (ʿa) instruction not to fight over his body, he was buried in Jannat al-Baqīʿ, in Madinah.
🕊️ His Legacy
Imām Ḥasan (ʿa) taught the world:
That true leadership is about guiding with wisdom, not forcing power
That peace can be more powerful than war when people are not ready for the truth
That standing for truth sometimes means stepping back, not giving up
He remains a symbol of patience, dignity, and divine leadership.