Al-Hasan al-Basri radiallahu anhu

Discussion in 'Siyar an-Nubala' started by abu nibras, Dec 9, 2004.

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  1. abu nibras

    abu nibras Staff Member

    <center>Al-Hasan ibn Ab`il Hasan al-Basri:ra:

    Taken from the translation of tadhkiratul awlia by A.J Arberry



    It is related that Abu Amr, the leading authority on the

    reading of the Koran, was teaching the Koran one day

    when suddenly a handsome boy arrived to join his

    class. Abu Amr gazed at the child improperly, and

    immediately he forgot the whole Koran, from the p of

    “Praise” to the n of “jinn and men”. A fire possessed

    him, and he lost all self-control.



    In this state he called on Hasan of Basra and described to him his predicament.



    “Master,” he wept bitterly, “such is the situation. I have forgotten the whole Koran.”



    Hasan was most distressed to hear of his situation.

    “Now is the season of the pilgrimage,” he said. “Go

    and perform the pilgrimage. When you have done that,

    repair to the mosque of Khaif. There you will see an

    old man seated in the prayer-niche. Do not spoil his

    time, but let him be until he is disengaged. Then ask

    him to say a prayer for you.”



    Abu Amr acted accordingly. Seated in a corner of the

    mosque, he observed a venerable elder and about him

    a circle of people seated. Some time passed; then a man

    entered, clad in spotless white robes. The people made

    way before him, greeted him, and conversed together.

    When the hour of prayer arrived, the man departed

    and the people departed with him, so that the elder

    remained alone.



    Abu Amr then approached and saluted him.

    “In Allah’s name, help me,” he cried.

    And he described his predicament. The elder, much

    concerned, raised his eyes to heaven.

    “He had not yet lowered his head,” Abu Amr

    recounted, “when the Koran came back to me. I fell

    down before him for joy.”



    “Who recommended me to you?” the elder asked.

    “Hasan of Basra,” Abu Amr replied.



    “Anyone who has an imam like Hasan,” the old man

    commented, “what need has he of another?



    Well, Hasan has exposed me. Now I will expose him. He rent

    my veil, and I will rend his as well. That man,” he went

    on, “in the white robes who entered after the afternoon

    prayer and left before the rest, and the others did him

    reverence—that man was Hasan. Every day he prays

    the afternoon prayer in Basra and then comes here,

    converses with me, and returns to Basra for the evening

    prayer. Anyone who has an imam like Hasan, why

    should he ask me for a prayer?”
     
  2. abu nibras

    abu nibras Staff Member

    <center>Al-Hasan ibn Ab`il Hasan al-Basri:ra:

    Taken from the translation of tadhkiratul awlia by A.J Arberry





    Al-Hasan ibn Abi ‘l Hasan al-Basri was born at

    Medina in 21 (642), the son of a slave captured in

    Maisan who afterwards became a client of the

    Prophet Mohammad’s secretary Zaid ibn Thabet.



    Brought up in Basra, he met many Companions

    of the Prophet including, it is said, seventy of

    those who fought at the Battle of Badr. He grew

    up to become one of the most prominent figures

    of his generation, being famous for his uncompromising

    piety and outspoken condemnation of

    worldliness in high places.



    In Sufi literature he is revered as one of the greatest

    saints of early Islam. He died at Basra in 110

    (728). Many of his speeches—he was a brilliant

    orator—and sayings are quoted by Arab authors

    and his letters that have been preserved are not few in number.
     

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