ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Shi'ism and Its Types During the Early Centuries Supplement 4 Al-Hasan and al-Husayn are two Imams, whether they are active rulers or not. [^100] The said tradition is a clear evidence that there was a designation in favour of the Imamate of these two brothers.

In this regard, there are also historical reports that corroborate the Shii viewpoint concerning the Imamate of Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba ('a) Nasr ibn Muzahim reports that during the time of Imam Ali himself Awar al-Shanni said addressing the Imam, May God increase you in guidance and felicity. You have seen with the light of God, and given preference to some men and set back other men.

It is for you to command, and for us to obey You are an Imam, and if you die, after you the Imamate will lie with these two (i.e. al-Hasan and al-Husayn). Then he said to Imam Ali (a), "Listen to some verses that I have sung: O Abu al-Hasan, you are the resplendent midday sun, And these two (sons of yours) are like moons in times of crisis. You and these two, until the last breath, are like our hearing and sight. You are men of a high station, Whose heights are beyond the aspirations of men.

People inform us concerning your merit, Yet, your merit today is so great as to lie beyond reporting." [^101] Mundhir ibn Jarad is also reported as having said to the Imam in Siffin, If your die, these two, al-Hasan and al-Husayn, will be our imams after you. [^102] Thus it becomes clear that since the day of Imam Ali ( a) his companions considered the Imamate as belonging to al-Hasan and al-Husayn after him.

We know that after the martyrdom of Imam Hasan, the Shi'is of Kufah sent a message extending their support to Imam Husayn. Abd Allah ibn Abbas also summoned the people to pledge allegiance to Imam Hasan, declaring, "He is the son of your Apostle and the wasi of your Imam.

Pledge your allegiance to him." [^103] Imam Hasan, too, in a letter to Mu'awiyah wrote, "When my father was about to die, he entrusted this affair (amr) to me." [^104] Haytham ibn Adi has narrated from many of his teachers (mashayikh) that they said that Hasan ibn Ali was the wasi of his father.