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Khatam SharifIn Honour of the Venerable

Hadrat Shaykh Sayyiduna Hasan al-Basri

The death of the God-fearing is endless life.

Some have died but are still among the living.Al Hafi

IntroductionSayyiduna Kaab bin Malik was one of the three companions who failed to participate inthe Tabuk expedition. As they had no excuse for their absence, Rasulullah (S) was veryupset with them and showed his displeasure by turning their face away from them.Consequently even the sahabah completely boycotted all three of them and nobody wasprepared to associate with them, speak to them or even respond to theirsalams. It seemedas if they were none existent or that the whole earth, vast as it is, had no place for them.They became outcasts in their own city.

Sayyiduna Kaab said that during that time he was always in a constant state of fear. Hewas afflicted with such pain caused by the knowledge that Rasulullah (S) was displeased

with him, which pierced his heart and soul. In this constant state he felt as if his heart wasexploding and his soul cried out. He feared his fate, not knowing what would happen to himbecause he had upset the Messenger of Allah (S) and feared Allahs punishment as thisseemed the greatest sin of all that could ever have been committed. His greatest worry wasthat if he died in this condition, the Prophet (S) would not lead his funeral prayer and thatwould mean destruction for him in the hereafter. And if the Prophet (S) passed away in themeantime, then again he would be doomed for ever, with no one to ever talk to him and withno one to pray at his funeral. Thus, he was like a lifeless corpse crying and weeping,suffering day and night, yet he could not even wish for death because he feared facing hisLord. It seemed that this painful state of constant fear lasted an eternity.

Allah Almighty has blessed His creation with infinite blessings from His endless mercyoceans. As everything is from Him and will one day return back to Him there is no doubtthat we will have to answer for our lives on the day of reckoning, when one and all shallstand before the Lord of creation. Take account of your actions in this life now andrecognise their possible consequences. The salihin constantly remind themselves of thistime and tremble with fear at the thought of having to face their Lord on that day. SayyidunaShaykh Hasan al- Basris life is the epitome of fear of Allah.

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Birth and ChildhoodHis blessed name is Al-Hasan al-Basri , his fathers name was Yasar , who embracedIslam in 12 Hijri at the hands of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq . He was a freed slave ofHadrat Zaid bin Thabit . His mothers name was Khayriah who was the maidservant ofSayyidah Umme-e-Salmah , the noble wife of Rasulullah (S). Shaykh Hasan was bornin Madinah Sharif 21 Hijri (642 BC), during the khilafatof Sayyiduna Umar . When he wasborn he was taken to Sayyiduna Umar who carried out the tahneeq rite and said, Namehim Hasan because he has a beautiful(hasan) face., and prayed, O Allah! Make him wise in theReligion and beloved to people. Sayyidah Umme-e-Salmah played a prominent role inShaykh Hasans upbringing and moral training. On one occasion, whilst his mother wasbusy doing the housework, Shaykh Hasan was crying so much so that Sayyidah Umme-e-Salmah breastfed him. Shaykh Farid Ad Din Attar says, Those few drops of milk hedrank from Ummul muminin Umme-e-Salmah , brought him countless blessings. When ShaykhHasan was young; he committed an act which he considered to be a major sin. He wrotethis act down and wore it around his neck in the form of a tawidh. Whenever heremembered this sin he would become unconscious out of fear of Allah.

In later life Shaykh Hasan moved to Basrah in Iraq. He met one hundred and thirtysahabas including seventy who fought at the Battle of Badr. Shaykh Hasan was not onlya very beautiful child but also grew up to become a very handsome young man. On Jumathe women of Basrah went to the market where they were talking amongst themselves andasked one another who was the most handsome man they had seen that day. They allagreed it was the man with the black turban, meaning Shaykh Hasan . Shaykh Hasan remained constantly in the state of wudhu. One night his sleep was disturbed more thanseventy times and each time he awoke, performed wudhu and prayed two rakats namaaz.He would frequently say, Taqwa is the basis of Din. Desire and greed destroy this foundation.He always regarded himself to be the worst of people. Once when someone asked him,Hasan, are you better or the dog? He responded, If I am saved from Allahs punishment, then Iam better than the dog. But if I am seized by Allahs punishment, the dog is a thousand times better

than I.

Shaykh Hasans connection of the heart is with Sayyiduna Ali and through this heattained unimaginable spiritual benefit, although it is not known if Shaykh Hasan physicallymet Sayyiduna Ali . Shaykh Farid Ad Din Attar states that when Sayyiduna Ali cameto Basrah he banned all other speakers except Shaykh Hasan . He would give a talk onceevery week and many people would attend. However, if Sayyidah Rabia Al-Adawiyyah was not present, he would not speak. This happened on several occasions and somelearned people asked: Why are you not giving a talkbecause one old lady doesnt turn up? That

is not enough of a reason. Shaykh Hasan replied, The drink which fills the elephants cannotbe poured for ants. Whilst speaking he would break down in tears and turn to Hadrat Rabia and say, This is your blessing; we are only getting these blessings because of your presence.Somebody asked him, Are you happy that a lot of people come to your gatherings? ShaykhHasan replied, I am not happy seeing a large crowd, I would be quite happy if only twodervishes came. Once he was asked, Where are Muslims? And where is Islam? He replied,Muslims are buried in their tombs and Islam is only in books. On another occasion ShaykhHasan was giving a talk and someone said, O Shaykh! What you say has no affect on us



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back. Shaykh Hasan said, that dream you hadI had the same one before you. The manleft with a very heavy heart. During the night Shaykh Hasan had another dream in whichhe saw a beautiful house in paradise and asked, Who is this for? He heard a reply saying,This is for the one who will give it back. The following morning Shaykh Hasan sought outthe man and returned the horse.

An awliya narrates, I went to mosque at sehri time. I saw Shaykh Imam Hasan Al Basri doingmunajat and heard many people saying amin. I did not want to disturb him so I sat to one side and

waited. After Fajr namaz had finished, I went to him and came to realise that he was alone. I had

imagined there would be many people as I heard many voices say amin so I asked, Please tell mefor Allahs sake, what is going on? Shaykh Hasan replied, Do not tell anyone of what youhave seen today. On Thursday night the angels come from the heavens to sit and learn from me and

as I was doing the final dua, they were saying amin...that is the sound you heard.

Love Thy NeighborShaykh Hasan had a non-Muslim neighbor named Shamum, who fell ill and was atdeaths door. Shaykh Hasan went to visit him and found him in bed, blackened with fireand smoke, he said, Fear Allah! You have passed all your life worshipping fire and smoke.Accept Islam, that Allah may have mercy on you. Shamum replied, Three things hold me backfrom becoming a Muslim, the first is, that you speak ill of the world, yet both night and day you

pursue worldly things. Secondly, you say that death is a fact to be faced, yet you make no

preparation for it. Third, you say that Gods face shall be seen, yet today you do everything to anger

Him. I do not see Muslims carrying out His will, or doing anything to please Him. Shaykh Hasan answered, What you have said is the token of truth. Now if believers act as you describe thenwhat have you to say? Believers acknowledge the unity of Allah; whereas you have spent your entirelife in the worship of fire. You have worshipped fire for seventy years, and I have worshipped Allah.

If we are both carried off to Hell it will consume both you and me. Allah will pay no regard to you,

but if He wills, the fire will not dare to burn one hair of my body. As fire is a thing created by Allahand creation is subject to the Creators command. Come, you have worshipped fire as your diety all

your life, let us both put our hands into the fire, for you will see with your own eyes the impotence of

fire and the omnipotence of the Almighty! So saying, Shaykh Hasan thrust his hand into thefire and held it there. Not a particle of skin nor a single hair was affected or burnt. WhenShamum saw this he was amazed and through Allahs grace the dawn of true knowledgebegan to break within him. Shamum groaned through pain, For seventy years I haveworshipped fire, now only a breath or two remains in me. What am I to do? Shaykh Hasan replied, Recite the shahadah and become a Muslim. Shamum replied, If you give it to me inwriting that Allah will not punish methen I will believe. Shaykh Hasan wrote whatShamum wanted and had it endorsed by witnesses. Shamum wept non-stop and recited theshahadah to Shaykh Hasan . He then said, When I die, wash me and commit me to the earth

with your own hands, and place this document in my hand, as it will be my proof. Having said thishe recited the shahadah one last time and gave up his soul.

After washing his body, the janazah prayer was read over him and he was buried into theearth with the document in his hand. Later that night Shaykh Hasan was extremelyrestless and could not sleep as he was fearful of guaranteeing a Zoroastrian paradise whenhe felt he had no authority to do so. How can I help a drowning man, seeing that I am drowningmyself? Since I have no control over my own fate, then how can I have power over Allahs kingdom



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why did I venture to prescribe how the Almighty should act? With this thought he fell asleep andsaw Shamum in a dream radiant as the full moon in all its glory; on his head he wore a

jeweled crown and wrapped around his body was a robe of such beauty, Shamum wassmiling as he walked in the garden of Paradise. Shaykh Hasan asked How are you,Shamum? He replied,Why do you ask, you can see where I am! God Almighty of His bountybrought me near His presence and graciously showed me His face. The favours He showered upon

me surpass all description. You have honoured your guarantee; so take your document. I have no

further need of it. When Shaykh Hasan awoke, he saw the same parchment in his hand,he prayed, O my Lord, I know well everything You do is with purpose and encompassed in Yourmercy and nothing is without Your grace. Who can ever suffer loss at Your door? You grant a fireworshipper of seventy years to come near Your presence because of one single utterance. How then

can You deny that one who has been worshipping You for seventy years?

Imam Hasans Spiritual RankIt is related that Abu Amr, a scholar and leading authority on the recitation of the Holy Quran(Qari), was teaching one day when a handsome boy arrived to join his class. Abu Amrgazed at the child with a bad intention, and he immediately forgot the entire Holy Quran.Overwhelmed with grief he ran to Shaykh Hasan and begged him for his intercession.My master, he wept bitterly, such is the situation that I have forgotten the whole Quranpleasehelp me to gain forgiveness. Shaykh Hasan became very distressed after listening to Abu

Amrs story and said, Now is the time of pilgrimagego and perform Hajj. When you have donethis, you must go to the mosque of Khayf. There you will see an old man sitting in the mihrab. Only

approach him after he has completed his worship and then ask him to say a prayer for you.

Abu Amr did exactly as he was told and when he arrived at the mosque of Khayf in Mina, hesaw seated in the corner an old man, who had such a powerful aura about him that it wasvery difficult to approach him. He noticed many people sat around him and after a littlewhile, a very handsome man in beautiful white robes approached and sat with him. Whenthe old man was alone Abu Amr approached him and cried, In Allahs name, please help me,and described his predicament. The old man, raised his eyes to heaven and prayed. Abu

Amr later recounted He had not yet even lowered his head when the entire glorious Quran cameback to me and I fell down at his holy feet out of joy. The old man asked Abu Amr, Who sentyou to me? Abu Amr replied, Imam Hasan of Basrah sent me to you. The old man said,Anyone who has an Imam the likes of Hasan Al-Basri what need has he of any other? Never

mindas Hasan has exposed me by lifting my veil I will now lift his. That man in white robes who

entered at Dhur prayers was Hasan Al- Basri . He comes here to bless me with his companyeveryday and then returns to Basrah for the Asr prayer, anyone who has an Imam like him, why

should he ask me for a prayer?

AdvicesAmir ul Muminin Hadrat Umar bin Abd al-Aziz wrote a letter to Shaykh Hasan whichread, Please advise me with something that is short and to the point so that I am able toremember. Shaykh Hasan replied with, Remember the time of your death. Live your liferemembering that you are going to die and be questioned. Hadrat Malik bin Dinar askedShaykh Hasan , What is the disease of the heart? He replied Love for dunya. OnceShaykh Hasan saw a young man laughing out loud so he questioned him, Have you



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already crossed the bridge/ Sirat? The young man said, No Shaykh. Shaykh Hasan thenasked, Do you know whether you are going to enter Jannat or Jahannum? The youth replied,I dont know my destiny shaykh. Shaykh Hasan asked, Why then this laughter? OnceShaykh Hasan heard a man reciting the hadith, A man will be together with the one whom heloves. Shaykh Hasan immediately said, Do not be deceived! This companionship will onlybe acquired if you practice such honorable and pious deeds as the person whom you claim to love!

When anyone would backbite Shaykh Hasan , he would send him a gift of dates with themessage, Your gift of rewards are vastly superior to my insignificant gift of sweets! ShaykhHasan said, Not praying the Tahajjud Salat is only because of a sin committed. To pray theTahajjud, a person must contemplate on their day before going to bed. They must repent forany sin committed and praise Allah for any good deed that they may have had theopportunity to do. Tahajjudis difficult for a person who has no fear and sins. Shaykh Hasan said, When Allah intends to do good to a servant, He prevents his heart from the attachment tohis family or dunya. When a man complained of the hardness of his heart, Shaykh Hasan advised, Attend gatherings of Dhikr. Shaykh Hasan said,A true repentance brings youcloser to Allah. Shaykh Hasan relates,I have met such awliya whose dislike for even halalexceeds your dislike for haram. Shaykh Hasan said, I swear by Allah! Allah disgraces aperson who loves money. Somebody asked Shaykh Hasan , If the doctor is ill himself can hecure others? Shaykh Hasan replied, First cure yourself then think of curing others.

Returning To His LordAlthough Shaykh Hasan was always in state of fear however in his final moments peoplewere surprised to see him laugh. Thereafter he eagerly gave up his soul to his Lord. In adream an awliya asked Shaykh Hasan the reason for his laughter. He replied: At the timeof death I heard a voice saying: O Malakul Maut! Be harsh with him. There yet remains a sin on

him. I was pleased to hear this and joyously asked about the sin. Shaykh Hasan passed intothe divine presence on the 5th Rajab, Friday, in the year 110 Hijri at the age of 89 years. Onthis night another awliya saw in a dream the portals of heaven opening and a voiceproclaiming, Rejoice! Hasan Al-Basri has reached his Lord! One Awliya said, Hasan hassurpassed us all because the whole creation is in need of his knowledge while he needs none besides

Allah. He is therefore our master.

Al-Fatiha


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