Hasan

by

Diana Steigerwald

• LAST REVIEWED: 10 May 2017
• LAST MODIFIED: 25 May 2011
• DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195390155-0109

Introduction

Hasan ibn ʿAli ibn Abi Talib, the son of ʿAli (the cousin of Muhammad) and Fatima (the daughter of Muhammad), was born on 15 Ramadan 3/2 March 625. As the grandson of Muhammad, he was particularly dear to the Prophet. Just like Muhammad, Hasan was gentle, good, and pious. Hasan, a pacific man, always preferred to avoid war in order to preserve the unity of the Muslim community. When addressing an audience, he was an excellent speaker. This entry mainly covers his life during the time of Muhammad, his role during the first four caliphs, the tribulations he had to face during his caliphate, his marriages, and how the Shiʿites view him.

General Overviews

Madelung 1996, Madelung 2004, and Jafri 1979 are the most updated and important articles and books that give a general overview on Hasan’s life.

• Jafri, S. Husain M. Origins and Early Development of Shiʿa Islam. London and New York: Longman, 1979.

  Jafri dedicates one chapter of his book to the abdication of Hasan; he presents, in a critical manner, different versions from various primary sources relating the caliphate of Hasan while also focusing on the Shiʿi perspective on Hasan. Reprint by Ansariyan Publications available online.

• Madelung, Wilferd. The Succession to Muhammad: A Study of the Early Caliphate. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1996.

  DOI: 10.1017/CBO9780511582042

  In his conclusion, Madelung devoted a considerable amount of space to the caliphate of Hasan. His book also contains a section on the marriages and children of Hasan.

• Madelung, Wilferd. Ḥasan b. ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭaleb. In Encyclopaedia Iranica. Edited by Ehsan Yarshater, 2004.

  Madelung covers the life of Hasan based on primary sources.