Hassan ibn Thabit

Hassan ibn Thabit (Arabic: حسان بن ثابت‎) (born c. 563, Medina died 674) was an Arabian poet and one of the Sahaba, or companions of Muhammad, hence he was best known for his poems in defense of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

He was born in Medina , and was member of the Banu Khazraj tribe.[1] He was gifted Sirin as a concubine. After Mohammad's death, Hassan was supposed to have traveled east as far as China, preaching for Islam along with Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, Thabit ibn Qays, and Uwais al-Qarni.

His writings in defence of the Muhammad contain references to contemporary events that have been useful in documenting the period. He was also Islam's first religious poet, using many phrases from the Qur'an in his verses. The work of Hassan Ibn Thabit was instrumental in spreading the message of Muhammad, as poetry was an important part of Arab culture. The work and words of Hassan Ibn Thabit are still regarded as the most beautiful in praise of Muhammad.

Muhammad was so happy with Hassan Ibn Thabit that he ordered to establish and construct for him a mimbar-pulpit for him to stand upon when he delivered his poetry. Muhammad prayed for him saying that the Angel Gabriel will support you as long as you defend Allah and His Prophet. Muhammad is also known to have gifted him with a Christian slave girl Sīrīn (embraced Islam and married to Hassan ibn Thabit) whom he got as a gift from Al-Muqawqis.

He is also the original writer of the famous nasheed "As subhu bada min tala'atihi".


He is the earliest known person to mention the events of the Khumm pond, where he mentions that Muhammad appointed Ali as his successor.[2]

Life

According to Islamic tradition Hassan lived for 120 years, sixty years before converting to Islam and another sixty thereafter.[3] In his youth he traveled to Al-Hirah and Damascus, then he settled in Medina, where, after Mohammad's arrival, he accepted Islam and wrote poems in his defense.[1][4]

Hassan’s poet collection

When I saw his light shining forth,

In fear I covered my eyes with my palms,

Afraid for my sight because of the beauty of his form.

So I was scarcely able to look at him at all.

The lights from his light are drowned in his light

and his faces shines out like the sun and moon in one.

A spirit of light lodged in a body like the moon,

a mantle made up of brilliant shining stars.

I bore it until I could bear it no longer.

I found the taste of patience to be like bitter aloes.

I could find no remedy to bring me relief

other than delighting in the sight of the one I love.

Even if he had not brought any clear signs with him,

the sight of him would dispense with the need for them.

Muhammad is a human being but not like other human beings.

Rather he is a flawless diamond and the rest of mankind is just stones.

Blessings be on him so that perhaps Allah may have mercy on us

on that burning Day when the Fire is roaring forth its sparks.

Notes

  1. 1 2 Wikisource Thatcher, Griffithes Wheeler (1911). "Ḥassān ibn Thābit". In Chisholm, Hugh. Encyclopædia Britannica. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 51.
  2. ↑ Ibn Thabit, Hassan. Diwan of Hassan Ibn Thabit. Edited by Walid N. ʿArafat. E. J. W. Gibb Memorial Series. 2 vols. London: Luzac, 1971.
  3. ↑ Thomas Patrick Hughes, 1885/1999 rept., Dictionary of Islam, New Delhi: Rupa & Co.
  4. ↑ Tabari, p. 131.

See also

References

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