Imam Hasan Al Basri (RA)

MICA Abuja SessionBy Idris Tiamiyu

1. Who is Imam Hasan Al Basri (RA)?2. His Wise Sayings3. His Personality4. His Wise Sayings on Qur’an5. His Adversaries6. His Wise Sayings on Life7. His Death8. Conclusion

Outline

Who is Imam Hasan Al Basri (RA)?

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Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī, in full Abū Saʿīd ibn Abī al-Ḥasan Yasār al-Baṣrī was born 642 (21H) in Medina

The son of Khayyirah, a freedwoman of Umm Salama's (the Prophet's -- Allah bless and greet him -- wife) and a freedman of Zayd ibn Thabit's (the Prophet's -- Allah bless and greet him -- stepson).

Umm Salama nursed him. His mother took him as a child to `Umar who

supplicated for him with the words: "O Allah! Make him wise in the Religion and beloved to people."

Who is Imam Hasan Al Basri (RA)?

He spent his early years with his family in Waadi Al-Qura near Al-Madeenah. Before he was fourteen years old, he managed to memorize the Glorious Quran. He also learnt reading, writing, and some mathematics. He heard many sayings of the Companions of the Prophet and he used to listen to the leader of the Believers, `Uthmaan Ibn `Affaan whenever he delivered the Friday sermon. Al-Hasan was fourteen years old at that time.

Who is Imam Hasan Al Basri (RA)?

Al-Hasan was considered by the Salaf to be one of the "Substitute-Saints" (al-Abdal). Anas ( narrated that the Prophet -- Allah bless and greet him -- said:

"The earth will never lack forty men similar to the Friend of the Merciful [Ibrahim (as)], and through them people receive rain and are given help. None of them dies except Allah substitutes another in his place."

Qatada said: "We do not doubt that al-Hasan is one of them."

Who is Imam Hasan Al Basri (RA)?

His Wise Sayings2

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Personality

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an eloquent preacher a paragon of the truly pious Muslim an outspoken critic of the political rulers of

the Umayyad dynasty (AD 661–750). remembered for his piety and religious

asceticism. a courageous fighter who loved to perform

Jihaad in the way of Allaah

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Personality

Ibn al-Jawzi mentions a report that al-Hasan left behind a white cloak (jubba) made of wool which he had worn exclusively of any other for the past twenty years, winter and summer, and that when he died it was in a state of immaculate beauty, cleanness, and quality.

What is Asceticism?

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Personality

"I have never seen a man who did not accompany the companions of the Prophet yet resembled them, like this scholar (meaning Al-Hasan)." - Abu Burdah

"Follow this scholar, for I have never seen a man who had similar opinions to `Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab except him." - Abu Qataadah Al-`Adawi

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Personality

Whenever al-Hasan al-Basri spoke on the science of tawhid, he would begin by taking out of his gathering all those that were not fit to hear. (from Ibn Jahbal al-Kilabi al-Halabi)

A group of women went out on the day of `Eid and went about looking at people. They were asked: "Who is the most handsome person you have seen today?" They replied: "It is a shaykh wearing a black turban." They meant al-Hasan al-Basri. (from Ibn al-Qayyim)

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Personality

His Wise Sayings on Qur’an

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Hasan al Basri -Rahimullaah- mentioned: ‘That ◦ a man complained to him concerning drought so it

was said seek forgiveness from Allaah, ◦ another complained about another matter so it was

said seek forgiveness from Allaah, ◦ another complained about lack of rain for his land so

it was said seek forgiveness from Allaah ◦ another complained of no offspring so it was said

seek forgiveness from Allaah, then he (Hasan al Basri) recited Qur’an Nuh: 10-12.

[Taken from: ‘Fath al-Bari’ Chapter: the Best Method of Seeking forgiveness]

His Wise Sayings on Qur’an

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Adversaries

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Al-Hasan Al-Basri used to frequently advise the rulers and governors and he never feared anybody except Allaah. He was especially well-known in the last years of the reign of the Umayyad caliph, Mu`aawyah Ibn Abi Sufyaan .

Al-Hasan lived in Iraq when Al-Hajjaaj Ibn Yoosuf Ath-Thaqafi was the ruler and Al-Hasan used to severely criticize Al-Hajjaaj's harsh policies.

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Adversaries

Al-Hasan Al-Basri was a close friend of the Rightly-Guided Umayyad Caliph, `Umar Ibn `Abdul-`Azeez who loved him very much and used to consult him in some affairs related to administering the Muslim State.

Al-Hasan became the judge of Al-Basrah in 102 A.H., 720 A.C. and performed this role on a voluntary basis.

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Adversaries

His Wise Sayings on Life

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Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Death

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A man came to Ibn Sirin telling him that he dreamed about a bird that flew into the mosque and took the best stone in the mosque and flew away with it. Ibn Sirin said that if his dream came true that Al-Hasan would die as he was the best Muslim then.

A little while passed and the Al-Hasan died. Ibn sirin died exactly 100 days after Al-Hasan’s

death(we pray Allah bless their souls and be pleased

with them)

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Death

Al-Hasan Al-Basri died on the first of Rajab, which was a Thursday night, 110 A.H., 728, at the age of 89.

His funeral was attended by a large number of people so that the first time in history of Basra the Jami Masjid of the city remained empty at the hour of the Asr prayer.

Al-Hasan died as one of the great hadith masters and narrators of the Tabi`in, responsible for transmitting over 1,400 narrations in the Nine Books alone.

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Death

Before his death, he stated that the following should be written down in his will:

This is what Al-Hasan Ibn Abi Al-Hasan believes:

He testifies that none is worthy of being worshiped but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. Whoever sincerely believes in this upon his death will enter Paradise."

Hasan Al Basri’s (RA) Death

Wa billahi TawfiqJazakumullahu khairan for your attention