The auspicious birthday of the second Imam, Imam Ḥasan al-Mujtabā
Imam al- Ḥasan b. Ali b. Abī Ṭālib was the first child of Imam Ali and Lady Fāṭimah and the first grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. He was born in the middle of the month of Ramaḍān in 3 A.H. (625 A.D.) in Medina.
When the Holy Prophet received the happy news of the birth of his grandson, he came at once to his beloved daughter’s house. He took the newly born baby in his arms and recited the Adhān in his right ear and the Iqāmah in his left ear. Then, in accordance with the command of Allah, he named the child Ḥasan.
Imam Ḥasan al-Mujtabā shared in the life of the Prophet for somewhat over six years, growing up during that time under his loving care. In fact, as long as the Prophet was alive, he and his brother (Imam al-Ḥusayn) were always in the company of the Prophet who even sometimes would carry them on his shoulders. He helped his father throughout his life until Imam Ali martyred when the Imam was 37 years old. At this age, he became divinely appointed as the second Imam. Imam al-Ṣādiq said, “Hassan bin Ali was certainly the most true worshipper, ascetic and merited man among the people of his time...” (Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 43, p. 331).
Maybe the most eminent of Imam Ḥasan’s attributes is his generosity. Imam al-Ṣādiq is also reported to have said, “Ḥasan bin Ali had certainly gone to Hajj twenty-five times on foot. He shared his property with Allah twice or three times.” (Manāgib ʹAl-e- Abī Tālib, vol, 4, p. 14).
