The enemies of the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) have always been looking for a fault, mistake or misconduct in their sayings or behavior, so that they could misuse it to ruin the Ahl al-Bait’s position (PBUT) among people. To do so, they not only did their best and made severe efforts, but also took every opportunity to disgrace the merits of the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT). Accusations, blames, allegations, and even abuses and insults are just examples of the unfair actions they took against the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT). However, their efforts usually led to a different outcome…
One day a group of Muawyiah’s friends and ministers went to him and said,” Hassan ibn Ali revives the name of his father on various occasions, and people accept whatever he says. A big number of people have gathered around him, and he is about to reach the status he does not deserve! The situation is getting worse. So we would like you to invite him here so that we could blame him, insult him, accuse him, and make him admit.”
Muawyiah refused to do so and replied,” I have never sat with Hassan ibn Ali except that I was afraid from his knowledge, and I have always feared his revenge. He is the most eloquent person among Bani Hashim. Moreover, remember that no one can blame the Ahl al-Bait, accuse them, or find a fault in them.
Nevertheless, the companions of Muawiyah insisted on their offer. So Muawyiah eventually agreed to send a messenger after Imam Hassan (PBUH) and invite him to his palace. When the Imam (PBUH) received the message, sought refuge with Allah (SWT) and said:
“O Lord! I seek refuge with you from the evil acts of these people, and I ask you to return their evilness to themselves. I have hope in your support to disgrace them. So remove their harm anyway and anytime you want…”
Imam Hassan (PBUH) then went to the gathering of Muawyiah and his companions. Muawyiah respected them Imam (PBUH), honored him and sat him besides himself. At this point, Muawyiah’s companions entered the gathering, insulted Imam Hassan (PBUH) and his father, Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH), and accused them by saying,” You caused disorder in the society and put people in trouble. You have got no share of wisdom and intellect among Quraysh. You two are far from justice and fairness. It was your father who poisoned the first Caliph. In fact, you two are responsible for the killing of all the three Caliphs.
When they finished speaking, Imam Hassan (PBUH&HP) started his sermon. He first thanked Allah (SWT), praised Him, and saluted his honorable grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP). He said then,” O Muawyiah! These people did not insult me, rather you insulted me; because you are known to have bad morals, and evil is well rooted in your character. You express animosity towards the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) and his family, and you constantly oppress us… Did you know that the person whom you insulted had prayed towards both Qiblas (1)? Ali (PBUH) is the first man who believed in the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP), and he carried the flag of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) in the battle of Badr. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) was satisfied with him in all the battles. Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) was the person who slept on the bed of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) so that he would escape from the pagans. So Allah (SWT) said about him:” And among men is he who sells himself purely to seek the pleasure of Allah”(2).
Also Allah (SWT) has said about him:” Only Allah, His Messenger, and the believers who keep up prayer (Salat) and pay alms (Zakat) while they bow (Rokoo) during prayer, are your Wali (Master).”(3)
And the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) said about him:” Your position to me is like the position of Aaron to Moses, and you are my brother in this world and the Hereafter”.
On the day of Ghadir, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) raised the hand of my father and said,” O Allah! Befriend those who befriend him and be the enemy of his enemies. O Allah! Do not settle those who take Ali (PBUH) as their enemies in the world, and do not raise their souls to the heaven, rather place him in the lowest parts of the Hell.”
Then, Imam Hassan (PBUH) addressed the companions of Muawyiah, namely Amr ibn al-A’s, Walid, Uqbah, and Mughairah with clear statements and reminded their evil acts and rejections of Divine rules by saying,” O you who have gathered here! Do not boast upon us for the kingdom you have achieved, and know that Allah (SWT) says:”And when We wish to destroy people of a town, We make the dissolute ones among them as their rulers, so they transgress therein and become worthy of punishment, then We destroy it with utter destruction”(4).
Imam Hassan (PBUH) then stood up, shook his clothes and left the gathering.
At this moment, Muawyiah turned to his companions and said,” I had told you before he came that you cannot resist him; yet, you made me do this. I swear to God that Hassan ibn Ali did not leave here except that darkness overtook this place. Get up and leave! Indeed God disgraced and humiliated you”.
Although the enemies of the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) puffed the light of their merits in order to put it down, this puffing made the light of the merits of the Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) brighter and more brilliant for the people. If only they had benefited from this brightness and enlightened their dark path with it…
(The above is a selection taken from “Ihtijaj”, by Ahmad ibn Ali Tabarsi (with some additions))
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