After Imam Hassan (PBUH) was born, Lady Fatima (PBUH) asked Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) to give the child a name. Amir al-Muminin (PBUH) replied: ” I won’t precede Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) in giving name to the child.”
Imam Hassan (PBUH) was taken to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), when he recited Adhan in his right ear and Iqama in his left. Then he asked Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH): “Have you given him a name?” Amir al-Muminin (PBUH) replied:” I won’t precede you.” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) said:” I won’t precede Allah either.”
So, Allah (SWT) ordered Gabriel: Muhammad has got a new son. Descend to the earth, send him my regards and congratulate him. (Then) tell Him:” The position of Ali towards you is similar to that of Haroun towards Moses. So name his sons as Haroun’s son.”
Gabriel came to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and offered Allah’s (SWT) message.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) asked:” What was his (Haroun’s son) name?”
Gabriel replied:” His name was Shubbar.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) said:” My language is Arabic.”
Gabriel said:” Name Him Hassan.”
So He was named Hassan, because the equivalent for Shubbar in Arabic is Hassan and the greater son of Haroun was named Shubbar.
The favour and attention of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) towards Imam Hassan (PBUH) was obvious as in his birth and naming and several other cases, one of which is mentioned below:
Ibn Masoud narrates:” I heard Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) saying:” Anyone who loves me, shall love Hassan and Hussain, because Allah has commanded me to love them.”
Accordingly, it is narrated that once Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was saying prayers, when Imam Hassan (PBUH) was sitting besides Him. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) prostrated (Sajda), Imam Hassan (PBUH) climbed to his back. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) elongated the prostration (Sajda).
When he finished his Prayers, the companions asked:” You elongated the prostration (Sajda) more than before, so we suspected that you were receiving revelation.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) replied:” I was not receiving revelation, but my son was on my back. Since I didn’t want to rush him down, I elongated the prostration (Sajda).”
(Selected from Jala’ al-Oyun, by Allamah Majlesi, with few changes)
Congratulations to all Muslims upon 15th of Ramadan, the birthday anniversary of Amir al-Muminin’s (PBUH) successor, the symbol of generosity and remission, Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba (PBUH).