In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

 

The Prophet and the Future of Islamic Society

 

Everyone knows that amongst all decisions that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) made and all positions that he stood for, he never allowed his personal desire or interest to affect them. And he never permitted his emotions to influence his decision on saying or doing something. He only thought of Allah (SWT). Thus the Prophet belonged to Allah (SWT), and he lived to serve the religion of Allah (SWT). Everything Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) did in his life was for the sake of Allah (SWT). In other words, he would not perform the task no matter how small or big it was, if it was not intended to serve the religion of Allah (SWT).

This does not mean that the Prophet had no natural emotions of any kind like other humans did. It also does not mean that he would purposely ignore and suppress his natural emotions in using them.

 

Moreover, when the Prophet expresses emotions in personal matters, without being exposed to public, they are an act of worship that will give him strength and get him closer to Allah (SWT). Yet, when these emotions are expressed in public through different incidents, such as in his lectures, they serve a much more significant matter and fall under the great Prophetic mission. The significance of the Prophet's words and emotions is evident in the Holy Quran. Allah (SWT) not only declares obedience to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) to be mandatory ⁽¹⁾, but also defines him as a perfect role model. ⁽²⁾

 

Based on the view of the Holy Quran, when the Prophet expresses his opinion, it creates an obligation for Muslims. Hence, such expression of opinion cannot be used for personal interest and influenced by personal emotions. 

 

When we look into the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) through this point of view, we will come upon many narrations regarding his love toward Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (PBUT). The following are a few examples of these narrations.

 The Holy Prophet has said, "O Allah! This child is my son, and I love him. Love him and love all those who love him." ⁽³⁾

He also said, "The most beloved of my family are Hassan and Hussain."⁽⁴⁾

 

Regarding Imam Hassan (PBUH), the Prophet has said, "He is the leader of the youth in Paradise and a representative of Allah amongst my community. His command is my command, and his sayings are my sayings; whosoever follows him is from me, and he who disobeys him is not from me."⁽⁵⁾

 

In many of his narrations, the Holy Prophet is trying to relate the issues regarding Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (PBUT) to himself in terms of belief, obligations, emotions, and consciousness. For example, in a famous saying, the Prophet said to Hassan and Hussein, "I am friends with your friends and enemies with your enemies."⁽⁶⁾

 

There are more traditions from the Prophet which portray the unique status of Imam Hassan, Imam Hussain (PBUT) and the nine succeeding children of Imam Hussain (PBUH).

The Holy Prophet's approach on Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (PBUT) and their unique education are filled with many lessons we can learn from.

 With his constant reminders, the Holy Prophet was seeking to prepare Imam Hassan (PBUH) and his brother, Imam Hussain (PBUH), for the important role they had in guiding the Muslim Ummah. The Holy Prophet saw it necessary to set the correct religious and political foundation of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (PBUT) for their future role, and to be a clear voice for the Muslim Ummah to remember and stand up against all sorts of alterations and wrong interpretations.

 

Yet, we ask ourselves, despite the many years that have passed, whether the Muslim Ummah is successful in obeying the sayings of the Prophet to not separate the Holy Quran and his Progeny? What responsibilities do Muslims have in practicing the Prophet?s orders so that the Muslim Ummah will succeed?

 

(Selection taken from the book, "A Look into the Political Life of Imam Hassan Mujtaba (PBUH)" by Allamah Sayyid Ja'far Murtada Aameli)

 

Roshd Website congratulates all Muslims on the birth anniversary of the generous Imam, the elder grandson of the Prophet, and the leader of the youth in Paradise, Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba (PBUH).

 

Roshd Islamic Shia Website

 

Footnotes:

 

1. "O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger and those of you who are in authority ?" (The Holy Quran, 4:59)

 

2. "Verily, you have in the Prophet of Allah an excellent model, for him who hopes to meet Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah much." (The Holy Quran, 33:21)

 

3. Tarikh Ibn 'Asaaker, vol. 13, p. 197 ? Majma' al-Zawaa'id, vol. 9, p. 176 with minor difference in narrative text ? Kanz al-'Umaal, vol. 13, p. 652.

 

4. This narration and similar ones can be found in these references: Sahih Termadhi, vol. 5, p. 323 ? Tarikh Ibn 'Asaaker, vol. 14, p. 153 ? Sireh A'laam al-Nabi, vol. 3, p. 252 ? al-Bidayah wa al-Nahayah, vol. 8, p. 223 ? Kanz al-'Umaal vol. 12, p. 116 ? Kashf al-Qummah, vol. 2, p. 143.

 

5. Faraa'id al-Semtain , vol. 2, p. 35 ? Amaali Sheikh Saduq, p. 176.

 

6. Sunan Ibn Maajeh, vol. 1, p. 52 ? Musnad Ahmad Hanbal, vol. 2, p. 442 ? Mo'jam al-Kabeer Tabaraani, vol. 3, p. 40 and vol. 5, p. 184 ? Mutadrak Haakim Nishaaburi, vol. 3, p. 149? Tarikh Ibn 'Asaaker,  vol. 13, p. 219 and vol. 14, p. 144 & 158 ? Osd al-Qaabah, vol. 3, p. 11 and vol. 5, p. 523 ? Sireh A'laam al-Nabi, vol. 2, p. 125 ? al-Bidayah wa al-Nahayah, vol. 8, p. 40 and ?.