Al-Hasan Al-Basri - Biography

He was one of the most renowned tabi`een (the generation after the
death of the Prophet ) and prominent figures of his time. He was a
jurist and a scholar. He was a pious and devout person. He was famous
for his eloquence, inspiring speeches, wisdom, asceticism, and deep
knowledge. He is the revered tabi`ee and the scholar of the people of
Basrah, Abu Sa`eed Al-Hasan Ibn Abi Al-Hasan Ibn Yasaar Al-Basri .
Birth and early years
Al-Hasan Al-Basri was born in Al-Madeenah in 21 A .H., 642 A .C.
during the caliphate of the leaderof the Believers, `Umar Ibn
Al-Khattaab . Both his parents were slaves. His father became a
prisoner of war when the Muslims conquered Misaan, an area between
Basrah and Waasit in Iraq . His father embraced Islam and lived
inAl-Madeenah where he married a bondwoman called Khayyirah who was
the maid-slave of Umm Salamh the wife of the Prophet . The Mother of
the Believers, Umm Salamah freed Khayyirah after she gave birth to her
son Al-Hasan.
Al-Hasan spent his early years with his family in Waadi Al-Qura
nearAl-Madeenah. Before he was fourteen years old, he managed to
memorize the Glorious Quran. He also learnt reading, writing, and some
mathematics. He heardmany sayings of the Companions of the Prophet and
he used tolisten to the leader of the Believers, `Uthmaan Ibn `Affaan
whenever he delivered the Friday sermon. Al-Hasan was fourteen years
old at that time.
Moving to Basrah and seeking knowledge
When he was fifteen years old, Al-Hasan moved to Basrah Iraq in 36 A
.H., 656 A .C. He began learning jurisprudence, Hadeeth, and the
Arabic language at the hands of a large number of the companions of
the Prophet who were living in Basrah at that time. His tutor for the
recitation of the Glorious Quran was Hattaan Ibn `Abdullaah
Ar-Riqashiwhile his tutor for the methodology of delivering sermons,
religious speeches, and recounting religious tales, was Ibn Surayyi`
At-Tameemi, the poet.
Delivering sermons and recounting religious tales appealed to Al-Hasan
and he tooka place in the mosque of Al-Basrah to teach people. Many
story tellers back then tended to exaggerate. They were all bannedfrom
telling religious tales in the mosque of Al-Basrah except for Al-Hasan
who adopted a differentmethodology. He used to talk about the life
after death, reminding people of death, drawing their attention to the
religious and moral defects they may have, and how they could overcome
them according to what he had learnt from the Book of Allaah, the
Sunnah of the Prophet , and the revered companions .
His classes
Al-Hasan Al-Basri had a large classin the mosque of Al-Basrah in which
he taught people the Prophetic Hadeeth, jurisprudence,the Glorious
Quran, the Arabic language, and rhetoric. He also conducted a special
class in his house to teach people about asceticism and deliver
touching speeches.
Al-Hasan was one of the most knowledgeable people on jurisprudence and
the lawful and unlawful acts. He loved the religion of Allaah and he
was a pious man who used to refrain from committing any illegal act.
He adhered to the straight path in all his affairs. He shouldered the
responsibility of guiding and advising people to save his society from
the deviations and aberrations that were beginning to prevail.
Al-Hasan Al-Basri adopted the doctrine of the companions. He was
their student and he had the pleasure of accompanying them. He was
influenced by their methodology and he steered their course.
The judge of Al-Basrah
Al-Hasan Al-Basri used to frequently advise the rulers and governors
and he never feared anybody except Allaah. He was especially
well-known in the last years of the reign of the Umayyadcaliph,
Mu`aawyah Ibn Abi Sufyaan . Al-Hasan lived in Iraq when Al-Hajjaaj Ibn
Yoosuf Ath-Thaqafi was the ruler and Al-Hasan used to severely
criticizeAl-Hajjaaj's harsh policies.
Al-Hasan Al-Basri was a close friend of the Rightly-Guided Umayyad
Caliph, `Umar Ibn `Abdul-`Azeez who loved himvery much and used to
consult him in some affairs related to administering the Muslim State.
Al-Hasan became the judge of Al-Basrah in 102 A .H., 720 A .C.
andperformed this role on a voluntary basis.
The character of the Imam
Imaam Al-Hasan Al-Basri was a peerless scholar with vast knowledge. He
was eloquent and an ascetic and pious worshipper who used to fast many
voluntary days. When he recited the Glorious Quran, he would weep
until his tears flowed down his cheeks reflecting the extent to which
he was deeply influenced by the Holy Book. He was also a courageous
fighter who loved to perform Jihaad in the way of Allaah. Whenever
Al-Muhallab Ibn Abi Sufrah fought the polytheists,he used to put him
in the front line. Al-Hasan was greatly admired and esteemed by his
contemporary scholars.
Abu Burdah said: "I have never seen a man who did not accompany the
companions of the Prophet yet resembled them, like this scholar
(meaning Al-Hasan)."
Abu Qataadah Al-`Adawi said:"Follow this scholar, for I have never
seen a man who had similar opinions to `Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab except
him."
Abu Qataadah also said: "Al-HasanAl-Basri was one of the most
knowledgeable people on the lawful and unlawful acts."
Humayd and Yoonus Ibn `Ubayd said: "We have never seen a man more
decent and courteous than Al-Hasan Al-Basri."
They also said: "We have seen many jurists, but none was more
knowledgeable than Al-Hasan Al-Basri."
`Awf said: "I have never seen a man who knows more about the way
leading to Paradise except Al-Hasan."
Some of Al-Hasan's sayings
Al-Hasan Al-Basri was a wise, eloquent man whose words werejust like
pearls. For example, he said: "Son of Adam, you are no more than a few
days. Whenever a day passes, a part of you has gone."
He also said: "Son of Adam, never please anybody if this entails the
Wrath of Allaah. Never obey anybody if this entails disobedience to
Allaah. Never thank anybody for something which Allaah granted you.
Never blame anybody for something which Allaah did not grant you.
Allaah created people and they steer the course pre-determined for
them. Whoever thinks that extra care and interest will increase his
provisions, let him try such extra care and interest inincreasing his
life span, changing his color, or increasing the size ofhis limbs and
build!"
H e also said: "Whoever gives money undeserved high esteem, Allaah
will humiliate him."
His death
Al-Hasan Al-Basri died on the first of Rajab, which was a Thursday
night, 110 A .H., 728 A .C. His funeral was attended by a large number
of people. Before his death, he stated that the following should be
written down in his will:
This is what Al-Hasan Ibn Abi Al-Hasan believes: He testifies that
none is worthy of being worshiped but Allaah and that Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allaah. Whoever sincerely believesin this upon his death
will enter Paradise ."

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