Radio Islam Newsletter

IMAAM HASAN Al-BASRI

He was one of the most renowned tabi'een (the generation after the death of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) and prominent figures of his time. He was a jurist and a scholar. He was famous for his eloquence, inspiring speeches, wisdom, asceticism, and deep knowledge. He is the revered tabi'ee and the scholar of the people of Basrah, Hasan Al-Basri Rahmatullah Alaihi.

Birth and early years

Hasan Al-Basri Rahmatullah Alaihi was born in Madeenah in 21 A.H., 642 A.C. during the caliphate of the leader of the Believers, 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab Radiyallahu Anhu. Both his parents were slaves. His father became a prisoner of war when the Muslims conquered Misaan. His father embraced Islam and lived in Madeenah where he married a bondwoman called Khayyirah who was the maid-slave of Umm Salama Radiyallahu Anha, the wife of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam. The Mother of the Believers, Umm Salamah Radiyallahu Anha freed Khayyirah after she gave birth to her son Hasan.

Hasan spent his early years with his family in Waadi Al-Qura near 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 Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam and he used to listen to the leader of the Believers, Uthmaan Ibn 'Affaan Radiyallahu Anhu whenever he delivered the Friday sermon. Hasan was fourteen years old at that time.

Moving to Basrah and seeking knowledge

When he was fifteen years old, Hasan Rahmatullah Alaihi moved to Basrah, Iraq in 36 A.H., 656 A.C. He began learning jurisprudence, Hadeeth, and the Arabic language at the hands of a large number of the companions of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam who were living in Basrah at that time.

Delivering sermons and recounting religious tales appealed to Hasan and he took a place in the Masjid of Basrah to teach people. Many story tellers back then tended to exaggerate. They were all banned from telling religious tales in the Masjid of Basrah except for Hasan who adopted a different methodology. He used to talk about the life after death, reminding people of death, drawing their attention to the religious and moral defects they may have, and how they could overcome them according to what he had learnt from the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam , and the revered companions Radiyallahu Anhum.

The character of the Imam

Imaam Hasan Al-Basri was a peerless scholar with vast knowledge. He was eloquent and an ascetic and pious worshipper who used to fast many voluntary days. When he recited the Glorious Quran, he would weep until his tears flowed down his cheeks reflecting the extent to which he was deeply influenced by the Holy Quraan. Whenever Al-Muhallab Ibn Abi Sufrah fought the polytheists, he used to put him in the front line. Hasan was greatly admired and esteemed by his contemporary scholars.

Abu Burdah Radiyallahu Anhu said: "I have never seen a man who did not accompany the companions of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam yet resembled them, like this scholar (meaning Hasan)."

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

Abu Qataadah Radiyallahu Anhu also said: "Hasan Al-Basri was one of the most knowledgeable people on the lawful and unlawful acts."

Humayd and Yoonus Ibn 'Ubayd said: "We have never seen a man more decent and courteous than Hasan Al-Basri."

They also said: "We have seen many jurists, but none was more knowledgeable than Hasan Al-Basri."

Awf said: "I have never seen a man who knows more about the way leading to Paradise, except Al-Hasan."

Some of Al-Hasan Rahmatullah Alaihi's sayings

Hasan Al-Basri was a wise, eloquent man whose words were just like pearls. For example, he said: "Son of Adam, you are no more than a few days. Whenever a day passes, a part of you has gone."

He also said: "Son of Adam, never please anybody if this entails the Wrath of Allah. Never obey anybody if this entails disobedience to Allah. Never thank anybody for something which Allah granted you. Never blame anybody for something which Allah did not grant you. Allah created people and they steer the course pre-determined for them. Whoever thinks that extra care and interest will increase his provisions, let him try such extra care and interest in increasing his life span, changing his color, or increasing the size of his limbs and build!"

His death

Hasan Al-Basri passed away on the first of Rajab, which was a Thursday night, 110 A.H., 728 A.C. His funeral was attended by a large number of people. Before his death, he stated that the following should be written down in his will:

This is what Hasan Ibn Abi Al-Hasan believes: He testifies that none is worthy of being worshiped but Allah and that Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is the Messenger of Allah. Whoever sincerely believes in this upon his death will enter Paradise."