Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi

Somebody came to Ummul Mu'mineen Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha giving her good news of the birth of a son in her servant Hazrat Khayrah's house, upon which Hazrat Umme Salmah became very happy.

She sent a message asking her to come to Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha with the child. Upon seeing him, Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha held the child in her arms. She asked Umme Khayrah, “Have you named the child?” She replied, “O mother, I have left it on you.” At this, Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha replied, “With the blessings of Allah Taa'la, we name him Hassan.” Thereafter she made dua for him.

Hazrat Hassan grew up in the house of Hazrat Umme Salmah Radhiallaho Anha who was the wife of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam.

Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi's childhood was spent in the sacred homes of the Ummah ha tul Mu'mineen. After he grew up, he became a student of the Sahaba Radhiallaho Anhum in Masjid-e-Nabawi. He acquired a lot of knowledge from them. He had the privilege of narrating Hadith from Hazrat Usman Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Ali Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Abu Musa Asharee Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Abdullah ibn Umar Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, Hazrat Anas ibn Malik Radhiallaho Anhu and Hazrat Jabir ibn Abdullah Radhiallaho Anhu.

At the age of fourteen, he migrated with his parents to the city of Basra . This is how he got the name Hassan Basri.

In those days, Basra was known as the biggest city of knowledge. Its main masjid was always full of Sahaba and Tabi'een. Hazrat Hassan Basri was a very emminent scholar (Alim), he used to sit in the gatherings of Hazrat ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu and learnt from him Tafseer and Tajweed. He also learnt ‘fiqh' language from other Sahabas. Hazrat Hassan Basri became very well-known.

Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi lived for eighty years in which he gave a lot through his knowledge and wisdom. For the coming generation, he left behind such Nassehats (advice) which create softness in the heart and tears in the eyes. It is also guidance for those people who are lost in the world.

One person asked Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi regarding the ‘dunya' (world). He replied that the example of the dunya and akhirat (hereafter) is like that of east and west. However close you go to one that's how far you will go from the other.

On the first of Rajab 110 Hijri on a Thursday night, Hazrat Hassan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi said ‘Labbayk' on Allah Taala's call and left this world. When the news spread of Hazrat Hassan Basri's death, there was shock and distress in the whole city. After giving him Ghusl, they prayed his Janazah salaah in the main masjid in which he studied and taught most of his life.

May Allah Taa'la shower blessings upon him and enlighten his grave. Ameen