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Patience

Imam al-Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام

الحَسَن بْن عَلِيّ

The second Imam, the gentle one, who chose the harder peace over the easier war for the sake of the Ummah.

Who they are

Imam al-Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام

Raised in the Prophet's lap, the first grandchild of the Messenger ﷺ. He was known for performing Hajj on foot many times, for giving away his wealth thrice in his life — half each time — and for meeting insult with forbearance. His treaty preserved the faith for generations.

What can they teach my heart today?

Patience with difficult people

Pick the one person who tests you most. Today, give them the kindness you wish someone had given you.

Family

Family connections

Eldest son of Imam Ali (ع) and Lady Fatima (ع). Brother of Imam Husayn (ع) and Lady Zaynab (ع).

Timeline

Major life events

  1. 3 AH
    Born in Madinah
  2. 40 AH
    Assumed the Imamate after his father's martyrdom
  3. 41 AH
    Signed the treaty to preserve the lives of believers
  4. 50 AH
    Martyred by poison; buried in al-Baqiʿ
Sayings

Important narrations

The most insightful of people is one who advises himself and obeys his Lord.
Tuhaf al-ʿUqul
Teach others, and learn the knowledge of others; you will master your own knowledge and learn what you did not know.
Tuhaf al-ʿUqul
Whispered prayers

Duas connected to them

Du'a in moments of grief

O Allah, You are the One who hears, You are the One who sees — to You I return all my affairs.

Bihar al-Anwar · attributed gatherings

In the Qur'an and the Ahlulbayt

Their light in the Book of Allah

He is among those purified in Ayat al-Tathir (33:33), among 'our sons' in Ayat al-Mubahalah (3:61), and among those loved by Allah's command in Ayat al-Mawaddah (42:23).

Ayat al-Tathir · the Verse of Purification
Surah al-Ahzab 33:33

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا

Allah only wishes to remove all impurity from you, O People of the House, and to purify you with a thorough purification.

Allah testifies to the purity of the Ahlulbayt (ع). The grammar shifts in the middle of the verse — singling them out — and the Prophet ﷺ gathered Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husayn (peace be upon them) under his cloak when this was revealed.

· Hadith al-Kisa' — al-Hakim, Mustadrak; Muslim, Sahih (book of virtues); al-Tirmidhi.· Bihar al-Anwar · ʿUyun Akhbar al-Rida — extended Shia narrations.
Read the tafsir
Ayat al-Mubahalah · the Verse of Mutual Imploration
Surah Aal ʿImran 3:61

فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمْ

Whoever disputes with you about it after the knowledge that has come to you — say: come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our selves and yourselves…

When the Christians of Najran came to debate, the Prophet ﷺ brought only Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husayn (ع). 'Our sons' = Hasan and Husayn. 'Our women' = Fatima. 'Our selves' = Ali, who in the Qur'an is called the Prophet's own self.

· Sahih Muslim — narrated by Saʿd ibn Abi Waqqas.· Tafsir al-Razi; al-Zamakhshari, al-Kashshaf — extended Sunni tafsir.
Read the tafsir
Ayat al-Mawaddah · the Verse of Love
Surah al-Shura 42:23

قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ

Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it except love of those near of kin.

The Prophet ﷺ asks for no payment for his message — only that the Ummah love his near family. Love for the Ahlulbayt (ع) is the reward of prophethood.

· Tafsir al-Tabari; al-Suyuti, al-Durr al-Manthur — Sunni sources naming Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husayn.· al-Kafi · Bihar al-Anwar.
Read the tafsir
Places

Important places

  • Madinah · birthplace and resting place at al-Baqiʿ
For little hearts

A lesson for children

When someone insulted Imam Hasan, he gave him a gift instead. Soft answers melt hard hearts.

Sources

With gratitude

  • al-Kafi
  • Tuhaf al-ʿUqul
  • Bihar al-Anwar
A gentle hand

Continue Your Journey

A gentle hand

Continue Your Journey

Soft suggestions to keep walking quietly, at your own pace.