7th of Safar Marks Sorrowful Martyrdom Anniversary of Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (Peace Be Upon Him)

The seventh of Safar al-Ahzan marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (peace be upon him), the first son of Imam Ali and Sayyida Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon them both) and the first Grandson of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). According to Shia and most Sunni sources, the second Imam was poisoned by his wife, Ju’dah, at the instigation of Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan.

Imam al-Hasan (peace be upon him) spent seven years of his life with the Holy Prophet and participated in significant events such as the Pledge of Ridwan and the Mubahila (debate with the Christians of Najran).

Known as the “Generous of the Ahl al-Bayt,” Imam al-Hasan donated all his wealth to charity twice and half of it three times. He is also reported of having performed the Hajj pilgrimage on foot 20 or 25 times. Following the martyrdom of his father, Imam Ali, he became the Imam on the 21st of Ramadan in 40 A.H.

Muawiyah refused to accept his caliphate, leading to conflict. To preserve Islam, Imam al-Hasan accepted a truce, stipulating that Muawiyah would govern according to the Quran and not appoint a successor. However, Muawiyah later violated these terms.

He passed away on the seventh of Safar in 50 A.H, at the age of 48. He wished to be buried next to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) but was ultimately interred in the Baqi cemetery following the opposition from Aisha and her supporters who threw a barrage of arrows on his sacred body out of their long-held grudge.