Imam Hassan's Hadiths
1 - Maxims by Imam Hassan peace be upon him when asked what piety is , Imam
Hassan , peace be upon him replied : " yearning for virtue and no longing for
this world . "
2 - When asked what manliness is . Imam answered : " protection of religion ,
self-respect , lenience , benevolence , discharging one's duties , and
showing amity towards people .
3 - When asked what generosity is , Imam said : donation before request
and feeding poeple during drought .
4 - When asked what parsimony is , Imam said : to consider what you have as
dignity and what you spend as waste .
5 - When asked what freedom from want is , Imam said : Being satisfied
with one's destiny , however maeger it may be .
6 - When asked what poverty is , Imam said : greed for everything .
7 - When asked what dignity is , Imam said : agreeing with friends and
maintaining good neighbourly relations .
8 - When asked what meanness is , Imam said : self - centredness and having
no regard for one's wife .
9 - The person who takes refuge in God is relaxed and secure where as his
enemy is fearful and friendless .
10 - Be careful with God by frequently remembering Him , and be fearful
of God by being pious , and approach God through obedience , for indeed He is
near and responsive .
11 - The greatness of those who came to know his greatness lies in their
modesty . The dignity of those who came to know His glory lies in their
humbleness . The security of those who came to know His power lies in their
submission to God .
12 - You should know that God has not created you for no reason and that has
not left you to your own . He has determined your life time and divided your
sustenance among you so that every wise man know his share and understand what-
ever he recieves has been predestined and that he would not receive that which
does not belong to him . God has provided you with sufficient in come to
have enough time to worship and thank Him . He made rememberance and prayer
obligatory and recommended you to be pious to gain his utmost satisfaction .
13 - O' servants of God ! Do have God fearing and do know that God enables
God fearing persons to overcome trials , and to succeed in their affairs . He
will also smooth the path of right for God-fearing people .
14 - Only those people who are properly guided consult one another .
15 - Meanness is to fail to thank God for His blessing .
16 - In quest , do not take victory for granted , do not trust predestination
like the yielding , for it is a fradition to be in quest of sustenance . Thus ,
moderation in search of one's livelihood comes from chastity which is not on
the way of sustenance .
By the same token , avarice does not increase sustenance . In deed , sustenance
has been predestined and avarice brings about sins .
17 - One is free as long as has not promised . However when one promises ,
he shoulders responsibility and shall not be released until he fulfils his
promise .
18 - The person having confidence in God's free-will ( satisfied with
divine destiny ) dose not wish to be in a state other than the one chosen for
him by God .
19 - The good without evil is thanking for the blessing and patience in
clamities and hardships .
20 - Imam , peace be upon him , said to a man just cured from a disease :
God remembered you , then you remember Him . He pardoned you , you
should thank him .
21 - Whoever regularly goes to the mosque will enjoy one of the following
eight benefits : a decisive verse , access to a helpful brother , new
knowledge , an expected mercy , a word leading him to the way of salvation or
salvation or saving him from death , quiting sins out of public shame , and
God-fearing .
22 - Indeed , the eyes with most clear - sightedness are those penetrating
good , the ears with sharpest hearing are those benefiting from advice , and the
purest hearts are those without any doubts .
23 - A man asked Imam Hassan peace be upon him , " I have a daughter , whom should
she marry ? " A man", answered the Imam , " of faith and God fearing for if
he loves her,he will respect her , and should he hate her won't do injustice
to her".
24 - Indeed , this world offers no everlasting blessing , nor one is
immune to its damages and evils . The world is a sham standing on the way to
happiness , an unrelieble support .
25 - O' Servants of God ! Take advice from example , be admonished by the
effects of ancients , stop disobedience by remembering His blessings
and benefit from pieces of advice .
26 - Indeed , God made Ramazan a racing field of His people so that take
precedence to obtain His consent by obeying Him .
27 - I Swear by God , if the veil is lifted , it will be revealed that
benefactors are engaged in benefaction and that malfactors in wickedness .
28 - O' My son Fraternize nobody before knowing his distiny or origin .
Thus , after having come to know him and after having accepted to keep
company with him , enter in to a fraternity , provided you could pardon his
blunders and help him in hardships .
29 - When asked what fear is , Imam , peace be upon him , replied .
Showing bravery towards friends and running away from enemies .
30 - Infamy is easier than entering the Hell .
31 -Foolishness is tending to meanness and keeping company with the
misguided .
32 - Imam , peace be upon him , described his benefactor brother as follows :
I thought him to be the greatest of all . The secret of his greatness lay in
his low opinion of this world . Ignorance had no control on him . He did not
take any action unless he made sure that the action was useful . He never
complained,nor , did he get angry and distressed . He was silent for the
greater part of his life time and when he spoke , he was the most eluquent of
all . He looked weak ; how ever , he fought as bravely as a lion . At the
precence of scholars , he preferred listening to speaking . He spoke whenever
it was necessary , never saying anything he did not act upon and acting upon
things he did not speak about . When faced with two alternatives he was not
sure which one was more pleasing to God , he considered the alternative less
pleasing to himself . He did not blame anybody for doing something for
which there existed an acceptable excuse .
33 - An irrational person is rude , and a person with no ambition lacks
manliness , An infidel has no shame . Wisdom causes one to keep good
company with people . Happiness in both worlds is obtained by wisdom .
34 - I am astonished to see people thoughtful of their food , but unthoughtful
of their spiritual nourishment . They protect themselves against harmful
food , but fail to reject dirty and mean thoughts .
35 - Imam , the chosen one , peace be upon him , wore his best attire on
prayers . In response to those who had asked the reason , Imam said : " God is
beautiful and likes beauty , that is why I adorn myself at His presence .
36 - The only permanent phenomenon in this perishing world is Quran . There-
fore , let Quran be your Imam and leader to be guided . Indeed , those who
apply the teaching of Quran to their conduct , are the most deserving of the
Book , not withstanding they have not learnt it by heart .
And the farthest people from Quran are those not acting upon it's instructions ,
though they are able to recite it .
37 - O' people ! whoever with sincerity and devotion towards God ,
listens to His guidance , will be guided to the most righteous path and God
will assist him in knowledge and awareness to reach a happy end .
38 - A right question is tantamount to half knowledge , tolerance of people
is tantamount to a half of reason , and econmny is tantamount to a half of
expenditures .
39 - The highest degree of cleverness is God-fearing and piety , and the
highest degree of ignorance is gratifying one's passions .
40 - Friday night , I saw my mother worshipping till dawn bowing down and
prostrating herself . She offered petitions to many believers mentioning
their names , she did not offer any petition for herself , I therefore ,
asked her : " Mother , why did not you not offered any petition for yourself
as you did for others ? " " My son , " replied she , " Neighbours are to be
given priority over the members of the household amd oneself . "
41 - Messenger of Allah , peace be upon him and his progency , said :
" Choose to be a friend of the Prophet's family , for whoever meets God while
being a friend of our household , will enter Paradise as a result of our
intercession .
42 - O' people ! I heard my grandfather , the messenger of God , say :
" I am the city of knowledge and Ali , peace be upon him , is the gate to the
city . How can one enter a city without going through its gate ?
43 - Some body asked Imam Hassan , peace be upon him , : Why are we reluctant
to die , why don't we like death ?
" Becaues , " replied the Imam , " You ruined your next world and developed
this one ; naturally , you do not like to be transferred from flourrishing to
decline .
44 - I swear by God , whoever chooses to be our friend , no matter he is
kept in captivity in such a remote place as Deylam , our friendship will
benefit him . Indeed , our friendship removes Adam's offsprings' sins , as
the wind scatters the leaves of trees .
45 - Most inhabitants of Kufah wrote Mu'awiya letter to the effect that
they support him and that should he wish so , they would capture Imam Hassan ,
peace be upon him and bring him to Mu'awiya . Than they plundred Imam Hassan's
tent and injured him . subsequently , Imam Hassan , peace be upon him , wrote
Mu'awiya the follwing letter :
Indeed , this government and the Holy Prophet's succession belongs to me , and
the members of my family being forbidden to you and the members of your family ,
that is what I personally heard from the Apostle of God .
I swear by God , If I could find patient friends aware of their right, I would
not yield to you and would deny you your requests .
46 - If I could reduce the entire world to one single mursel of food to feed
a pure worshipper , I would feel negligent of my duties to wards him . And if I
could prevent an infidel from enjoying worldly blessing , to the extent that
his life should be endangered for want of food and water , and then I hand him
a glass of water , I would consider myself to be wasteful .
47 - To God , the highest - ranking man is the one most familiar with
people's rights . And that who is humble towards his brothers in faith , will
be put , by God , among the veracious and shi'ites of the king of the
Believers Ali , peace be upon him .
48 - The Holy Prophet said : No one is a true believer unless he does an
evaluation of himself more seriously than the selting of accounts between
two partners or between a master and his slave .
49 - The Messenger of God , may the blessing of Allah be upon him said :
" Making brothers in faith happy causes one's sins to be forgiven .
50 - This world is a trouble - some place of trail , and everything therein
will decline , God has informed us of its situation so that we could be
tought a lesson there from .
He has warned us against punishment in order that , thereafter , we would not
argue with him .
Consequently , be pious in this perishing world , and be interested in the
enternal , and be God fearing openly and secretly .
51 - Abondon what is discretionary when it happens to be in contradiction to
what is obligatory .
52 - Three things lead people to their destruction . pride , greed and
jealousy . Pride undermines faith , and satan was cursed and damned for the
same . Greed is the enemy of one's soul and Adam was expelled from paradise
for the same reason , and jealousy leads to evil and misery .
Cain killed his brother Abel only because of jealousy .
53 - Transfer your knowledge to others and also learn from others to enhance
your own knowledge and also forover coming your own short comings .
54 - Only visit those from whom you hope to be endowed or whose power you
fear , or those who benefit . you from their knowledge or those whom you hope
would pray for you , or those who are your own relatives .
55 - I have never seen a tyrant more similar to the oppressed than a jealous
person .
56 - Forget about whatever worldly things you aimed to attain but could'nt.
57 - Any one whom God blesses with an opportunity to pray , God will accept
his prayers and to whom God gives the chance to worship and be obedient , for
him He will open the doors of acceptance , and any one who is blessed by Him
to thank God , He will open the doors of abundance for increasing his
blessings .
58 - This question was put forward to Imam Mojtaba . Oh son of Prophet .
How are you ? He said : I have a God that controls me while the fire of
Hell is infront of me . Death is summoning me and I am surrounded by what
I've to give an account of on the day of final Judgement . I'm cought and
entangled between my actions and deeds . I can't get what I like and I am
unable to get away from what I despise , because all affairs are in the hands
of God . If He chooses He will forgive me . Therefore which poorman is more
needy than me ?
59 - Giving promises is like aphids in generosity and philanthropy , the
remedy is only in fulfillment and accomplishment .
60 - Don't be too prompt in punishing wrongdoings and errors;always leave
some time for apology between the perpetration of a mistake and punishment .
61 - Disasters and hardships are keys to rewards and compensations .
62 - A blessing is a Divine test , therefore if you thank God it remains a
blessing , but if you are ungrateful it turns in to God's wrath .
63 - The benefit you get from your tongue is enough for you to distinguish the
path to guidance from the route to aberration .
64 - Don't ever regret deep reflection and rationalisation because thinking
revives the alert heart and is a key to doors of wisdom .
65 - Oh thou the son of Adam ! Since you were born you were busy destroying
your life . So try to provide provision for the world hereafter in the rest
of your life .
Indeed a true believer makes provision in this world and an unbeliever
regales himself and then he recited this verse : " Make provision ( in this
world ) indeed there is no provision better than piety . "
66 - Some one asked Imam to give him a piece of advice . He said :
Get ready for your last journey , and before death arrives prepare yourself
some provision and be ware that when you desire this world , death desires
for you . To day you shouldn't think about tomorrow's sorrows . And be ware
that whatever wealth gathered by you , if it exceeds your daily sustenance ,
infact is saved for others . And be ware for the lawful wealth of this world
will be duly counted , and the unlawful wealth is followed by punishment ,
and there is reproach in doubtful wealth . Therefore consider this world as a
carcass and take only that much that suffices you . In this case if it is
lawful , you've performed a virtuous act , and if it is unlawful you haven't
committed any sin because it sufficed your urgent need , the same way you may
eat a carcass in exigency , and if there is any reproach in it , it will be
little and light .
67 - Behave , in this world , in such a way as if you will be living
forever , and for the world hereafter act in a way as if you'll die
tomorrow .
68 - If you had to become friends due to a want with a man and associate
with him , Be friends with a person whose association adds to your dignity
and when you do him a service , he supports you and when you ask him for
assistance he helps you and if you say something , he confirms your words
and if you attack , strengthens you in your assault and if you asked for
something , assists you and if your shortcoming is revealed he covers it
and if he sees any good deed performed he takes it into account .
69 - One prayer of he who recites Quran is accepted by God either immediately
or with some delay .
70 - Imam Hassan on whom be peace : The Prophet of God ( P.B.U.H ) has said :
Any one who recites " AYAT - OL - KORSI " ( verses ) after obligatory prayer
will be under the protection of God till the next prayer .
71 - Any fasting person can have one prayer accepted at the time he opens
his fast . So when you take the first morsel to open a fast say : " In the
name of God , oh God thine forgiveness is over whelming and abundant . Please
forgive me .
72 - Imam Hassan on whom be peace : The Prophet of God ( P.B.U.H ) he said
after performing morning prayers anyone who sits in the same place and keeps
invoking the name of God until sunrise will have a curtain and a barrier
between him and the tormenting fire of God .
73 - Whoever is foud of praying , purifies and adorns himself for it.
74 - It is becoming of a man on fast to dye his beard and put perfume on
his clothes and It is becoming of a woman on fast to comb her hair and put
perfume on her clothes .
75 - I heard it from my father that the messenger of God said anyone who
tries to satify the need of his Muslim brother , his endeavours are equal
to nine thousand years of worshipping God with days spent on fasting and
nights busy with praying .
76 - Giving almstax never results in decrease of wealth .
77 - I feel ashamed of my God to meet Him while I haven't performed
pilgrimae to the House of God on foot .
78 - When one of you meets his friend , you must kiss the place of light
on his forhead .
79 - He whose death is due asks for time to compensate for the misdeeds of
the past and one whose death is not due and has time to perform good deeds ,
procrastinates .
80 - Oh those who seek pleasures of the world ! You should know that they
are transitory and taking pride in a shadow that vanishes is absurdity .
81 - The greatest forgiveness and pardon of God comes when the sinner is
not able to make a pretext for his wrong doing .
82 - One who know God , loves God . One who knows the world , the world
tries to be chaste , and a true believer never goes after useless things ,
unless he is taken unawares and when he recohnizes his mistake , he feels
sad .
83 - God provides everything to one who worships God .
84 - He who counts his good deeds compromises the gratitude and benedictions
that are due to him .
85 - Some body asked Imam Hassan (PBUH ) about the virtues of reticence .
He replied . Reticence is a cover for ignorance and beauty honor and respect .
And he who observes silence is always easy and calm and the one who associates
with him is secure .
86 - A man sought guidance of Imam Hussain . The Imam replied : Don't
praise me for I know myself much better than you know me and don't consider
me a liar for the views of a liar are worthless and never talk light of
others before me .
87 - Oh son of Adam , abstain from misdeeds to remain pious and be content
with what God gives you to remain free of needs .
Recognize and implement the right of your neighbour to remain a Muslim and
treat others as you would like others to treat you , inorder to remain
just .
88 - It was asked of Imam , " Whose life is better than all ? " .
He replied : " The one who , he allows participation of people in his life .
89 - Being deprived of necessities is better than cadging from the
aberrant .
90 - Having a sour disposition is worse than affliction and misfortune .
91 - Oh you people of Kufa , remember that there is beauty in forebearance
and keeping promises manliness , precipitance and haste show lake of
knowledge and lake of knowledge imprudence , Fellowship with the mean brings
disgrace and shame , and social communication with libertines and sinners
creates suspicion and doubt .
92 - Have experienced and those who experience have also experienced that
nothing surpasses forbearance in effectiveness and nothing is more
pernicious as lack of it . With patience all affairs are rectified and
nothing else can replace it .
93 - I have never seen any right with no wrong in it but death , which is so
Similar to wrong with no right in it .
94 - Imam Hassan Mujtaba used to raise his eyes upwards before entering the
mosque and say : Oh creator your guest is standing in front of your house .
Oh the beneficient ! I the uncouth transgressor, have come to your threshhold
to ask forgiveness for all my loathsome misdeeds from all the beauties that
abound in you, oh thou the merciful and beneficient .
95 - There are 12 Points which Should be observed about eating and that every
Muslim is required to be informed of . Four of them are compulsory, the other
four are the Prophets traditions, and the remaining four are in accordance with
the etiquettes and ethics . On compulsory Points :
1 ) Knowing the Person who feeds you .
2 ) Being satisfied with what is fed .
3 ) Taking the name of Good and being thankful to whatever is endowed .
On Prophet' traditions
1 ) Performing one's ablution before eating .
2 ) Sitting on the left leg (Or part of the body) .
3 ) Eating with 3 fingers and licking them up .
On ettiquettes and ethics
1 ) Eating What is set before you .
2 ) Having small morsels .
3 ) Chewing the food well .
4 ) Avoiding staring at the others constantly .
96 - Jesting eliminates respect and honor .
97 - A good deed is one performed without hesitation and Without reminding
that a favor has been done .
98 - The blessings of our Creator remain unknown and are taken for granted ,
as long as they abound and their worth is realized , only when they are gone .
