Hasan bin Ali رضي الله عنه

Hadhrat Hasan رضي الله عنه was born on the 15th of Ramadhan 3 A.H(625 A.D) in Madinah and was the first child of Rasoolullah's صلى الله على وسلم  daughter Hadhrat Fathima رضي الله عنها. Rasoolullah صلى الله على وسلم named him Hasan and performed the Aqeeqah on the 7th day after he was born. It was on the same day that his hair was shaved off and equivalent weight in silver given out in Sadaqah.

Together with being the grandson of Rasoolullah صلى الله على وسلم, Hadhrat Hasan رضي الله عنه also succeeded his father Hadhrat Ali رضي الله عنه as Khalifah of the Muslims. He spent most of his childhood in the company of Rasoolullah صلى الله على وسلم and gleaned his behaviour and habits from his Illustrious grandfather as well as from his esteemed father. He was therefore embellished with an eloquent tongue, a brave heart, fortitude, compassion, generosity and many more noble virtues. In addition to this, he narrated several Ahadeeth and studied the Quraan under the tutelage of his learned father and many other Sahabah رضي الله عنه.
Hadhrat Hasan رضي الله عنه Became the Khalifah after the assassination of his father Hadhrat Ali. Hadhrat Ali رضي الله عنه had entrusted the selection off his Successor to the Muslims and they could find none more suitable to be his Successor but his noble son Hadhrat Hasan رضي الله عنه. Therefore, it was Qais bin Sa'ad رضي الله عنه who first pledged allegiance to Hadhrat Hasan رضي الله عنه, after which the others followed suit, this happened in Ramadhan 40 A.H.

After becoming the Khalifah, the first words Hadhrat Hasan رضي الله عنه addressed to the people were “O People! Such a man has been assassinated the likes of whom will never be seen again. He was the man whom Rasoolullah صلى الله على وسلم entrusted with the flag of Islam during battle and there was not a battle that he ever lost. In fact, even the angels Jibraeel and Mikaeel fought beside him in battle. He left no gold or silver behind apart from 700 dirhams, which he had saved from his salary to purchase a slave.”

Hadhrat Hasan رضي الله عنه reigned as Khalifah for approximately 6 to 7 months, after which he stepped down. While scholars agree that he became Khalifah in the year 40 A.H., they differ about the month during which he handed over the Khilaafah. However the most correct opinion is that it happened in the month of Rabee'ul Awwal in the year 41 A.H.

Hadhrat Hasan رضي الله عنه passed away in Madinah in the year 50 A.H., which was approximately 9 years after his abdication. His death was caused by a poison which was so lethal that he fell ill immediately after ingesting it and passed away three days later. He was so popular amongst the people because of his excellent personality that when he passed away, the marketplaces were closed, everyone in Madinah was devastated and the women of the Banu Haashim mourned for a month.
Announcing the demise of Hadhrat Hasan رضي الله عنه, Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه addressed the people in the masjid, saying “O People! Do weep today because the beloved of Rasoolullah has left this world.”