Al Hasan Ibn Ali (may Allaah be pleased with them), the famous and prominent sahabah, was the grandson of our last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Al Hasan was the 5th Khalifah. He came from a noble family and was brought up by his reputable family members. This short article will share many essential points to ponder in our journey as parents in bringing up our children as future leaders.

Al Hasan’s parents were brave with good character.

Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allaah be pleased with him) was his father. Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was the first child who accepted Islam when it was first brought by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He was the 4^th caliphate. He was so brave that he went on almost all expeditions during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Al Hasan’s mother was Fatimah bint Muhammad (may Allaah be pleased with her) and was the youngest daughter of Prophet Muhammad. It was said that she was the one who resembled Prophet Muhammad the most. Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “I never saw anyone whose speech more closely resembled that of the Prophet Muhammad than Faatimah. When she entered upon him, he would stand up to greet her, kiss her, and welcome her. She would do the same for him.” [1] She was fearless for the sake of the truth.

His birth was celebrated in an Islamic way.

When Al Hasan (may Allaah be pleased with him) was born, Adhan, Tahnik, and Aqiqah performed for him. Adhan recitation should be done on the newborn baby’s right ear to allow the words of Tawheed to be the first words the baby hears in this world.

 Aaishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did Aqiqah for al-Hasan and al-Husayn (may Allaah be pleased with them) on the seventh day and gave them their names.[2]

He was given the correct name. 

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) changed Al Hasan’s name from Harb (which means war) to Al Hasan (which means good). Naming a person is one of the most important aspects of a person’s life. The name will be used to call them in this life and the Hereafter. We should avoid words that show enslavement towards others other than Allah, terms of non-muslims, or expressions of false gods. Newborns should be named with good names. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The most beloved of names to Allaah are Abd-Allaah and Abd al-Rahman.” [3]

The right to be breastfed

Al Hasan (may Allaah be pleased with him) was breastfed during his infancy. One night, Umm al-Fadhl (may Allaah be pleased with her) had a dream; surprised and confused, she went to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) seeking the interpretation of her dream. Umm al-Fadhl (may Allaah be pleased with her) explained to him, “Messenger of Allah, I saw in my dream that a part of your body was in my house!” Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) then interpreted, “Fatimah (my daughter) will give birth to a boy who you will nurse with the milk of Quthm (meaning her son).” [4]

Engaged in prayers since early childhood

Given Al Hasan’s (may Allaah be pleased with him) family background, we could understand that he was brought up by family members that engaged themselves in acts of obedience towards Allah. He was a pious man. He traveled on foot more than ten times to Makkah for pilgrimage.

Near the mosque & Prophet Muhammad’s house.

A house near to masjid is an essential aspect of choosing a home. It allows accessibility for our kids to go to the masjid and makes them love being in it.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are seven whom Allaah will shade with His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His: the just ruler; a young man who grows up worshipping his Lord; a man whose heart is attached to the mosque; two men who love one another for the sake of Allaah and meet and part on that basis; a man who is called by a woman of rank and beauty and says ‘I fear Allaah’; a man who gives in charity and conceals it to such an extent that his left-hand does not know what his right hand gives; and a man who remembers Allaah when he is alone, and his eyes fill up.” [5]

During the time of Prophet Muhammad, children were allowed in masjid from a young age. They did not only pray, but they spent time in it. It is narrated that Abu Huraira  said: “We were praying ‘Isha` prayer with Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him.)  Al-Hasan and Al-Hussain (may Allaah be pleased with them) would jump on his back whenever he prostrated. When he rises with his head, he picks them gently from the back and places them (on the floor) kindly. They return to what they do when he returns (to prostration). When he ended his prayer, he would put them on his thighs.” [6]

He showed his love through actions.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Prophet Muhammad kissed Al-Hasan bin Ali while Al-Aqra bin Habis at-Tamim was beside him. Al-Aqra said, “I have ten children, and I have never kissed anyone of them,” Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cast a look at him. He said, “Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully.” [7]

Even though Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) loved Al Hasan, he still corrected his mistake whenever necessary. When Al- Hasan did something wrong, Prophet Muhammad did not simply let it slide. He told him and showed him through his action. Abu Huraira reported that Al Hasan ibn’ Ali took one of the dates of the sadaqa and put it in his mouth. After that, Prophet Muhammad said: Leave it, leave it, throw it; don’t you know that we do not eat the sadaqa? [8]

Express loves through words and making dua for him

Narrated Al-Bara: I saw Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) carrying Al-Hasan (may Allaah be pleased with him) on his shoulder and saying, “O Allah! I love him, so please love him.” [9]

Brave for the truth.

As mentioned earlier, both of Al Hasan’s parents were courageous people. As a youth, Al Hasan defended Uthman Bin Affan when rebels attacked Uthman (may Allaah be pleased with him).

Unite the Muslims

As parents, we should instill the spirit of unity among our kids, not only among the family members but the whole ummah in general. Al Hasan (may Allaah be pleased with him) was a person with good character. He has the character of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Al-Hasan (may Allaah be pleased with him) was the most similar person to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in form, manner, and nobility. He made the ‘Peace Deal’ between the 2 Muslim groups and gave his Caliphate to Muawiyah (may Allaah be pleased with him). When poisoned and killed, he concealed the identity of the responsible person to avoid bloodshed.

Leadership quality

This quality has been instilled in Al Hasan’s heart since small. He was surrounded by rightly guided leaders and emulated from them. He led the funeral prayer for Ali Bin Abi Talib (may Allaah be pleased with him) and became the 5^th rightly guided Caliph for six months.

These are the 11 points that can be extracted from his life story. If you find it beneficial, please share it with others—Barakallahu feekum.

Happy reading, and May Allah make us better parents. Ameen.

Written by Dr. Fadzidah Ariffin UmmAbdullah

Bibliography:

[1] Narrated by al-Bukhari, al-Manaaqib, 3353

[2] Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan, 12/127; al-Haakim, 4/264. Classed as Saheeh by al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari, 9/589.

[3] Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh, 1398.

[4] http://idealmuslimah.com/personalities/sahaabiyaat/195-umm-al-fadl.html

[5] Agreed upon, narrated by al-Bukhari, no. 620; Muslim, no. 1712.

[6] Hadith Hasan by Al-Albani 3325 Al-Silsila Al-Sahiha

[7] Sahih Bukhari and Muslim

[8] Sahih Bukhari and Muslim

[9] Sahih Bukhari and Muslim

[10] Al-Bukhari (2704)

References:

• Child Companion among the Prophet, Darussalam
• Heroes of Islam, Darussalam
• http://www.ilmfruits.com/2015/10-examples-of-how-rasulullah-treated-children/
• https://islamqa.info/en/11787
• https://islamqa.info/en/20954
• http://en.islamway.net/article/12461/the-prophet-and-how-he-treated-children
• http://idealmuslimah.com/personalities/sahaabiyaat/195-umm-al-fadl.html
• https://islamqa.info/en/186682