"Tell me Khalid about the Hassan of Basra. I think you know him best

"May God keep the Prince ! I am the best to give you information about him. For I am his neighbour  and friend , and I am the most knowledgeable person about him."

"Then , tell me what you  know ?'

"He is a man whose outward is like his inside. whose words are like his actions. When he tells people to do something  good, he is first to do it and when he advises others not to do something, he is first to shun it. He has renounced what people have , but they are always in need of him."

"Enough have you said  Khalid . No people would go astray while they have a man like him in their midst"

This short dialogue  between a well-known commander of Muslim armies and a friend of our hero summarized for us in a few words the personality of Hasan Basri., who is well known in Islamic history  for his truthfulness , authority in matters of religion , words of wisdom, courage and asceticism. Now let us have a look at his life.

Hassam-Al Basri was born in Madinah. His blessed mother was former bonds woman  of Umm Salmaa {RA} {The Prophet's wife }  and his father Yassar was a former bondsman to Zaid ibn Thabit.  So his real name  was  Al-Hassan ibn Yassar { RA}  but is better known in history  by the name of Al-Hassan al-Basri  or al-Hasan of Basra . Al-Basri  was indeed a fortunate child . For though he was born after the death of Prophet Muhammad {SAWS} yet he was literally brought up in the Prophet's household, since he spent his childhood with his mother's Mistress, Umm Salmah {RA} and in constant contact with the other wives of Prophet { SAWS} educated by there exemplar  personalities and conduct, hearing first hand reports about the Prophet. Since Madinah, then was still full of the former companions of Prophet {SAWS}. our hero had the golden oppurtunity to learn about Islam and its teaching  directly from those great students of Muhammad {SAWS} including people like Ali RA. Uthman RA, Abdullah bin Umar and whose personaly fluency left a special impression on his character.

At the age of 14, our hero's family moved to Basra in Iraq where he got the name of Al-Basri. Basra was then one of the major  urban  centres of culture in the Islamic Empire and it was full of the former companions of Prophet { SAWS} who taught the principles and practices of Islam to the thirsty students and masses. Our hero Al-Hassan -al -Basri, made full use of the oppurtunity spending all his time in the mosque in learning especially at the hands of the well-known companion of the Prophet Abdullah ibn Masood RA.

Insha-Allah, the rest part of it shall be shared tomorrow.

Since many people , rulers and masses were greatly influenced  by the new wealth  and prosperity  and practices that   followed the expansion  of the Muslim state east and westward, they needed constant reminders of the dangers of over-indulgence  in worldy  affairs and luxury. Our hero was one such a reminder.  To him , truth had to be said even in the face of tyrants. For a man of God shud have  no fear except of  his Creator and Master. An example of our hero's daring personality   is  the incidence between him and Al-Hajjaj built himself  a big palace at Waasit , and he invited people to see it { to impress them}. The masses crowded the place full of admiration of the palace. To our hero, this was a golden oppurtunity to preach  to people warning them of the dangers of tyranny and indulgence in worldy gains. Naturally, Al-Hajjaj was not very happy with our hero's doing. he swore to kill  Al-Hajjaj al-Basri. So he ordered  some of his soldiers to fetch  our hero. Upon entering , our hero walked with confidencr towards Al-Hajjaj muttering some prayers. Suddenly the tyrant was awe-struck and almost unconsciously invited our hero to sit next with all humility and  respect . Then he asked about some matters of the religion attentively listening to al-Hassan's answers , while everyone sat in a state of astonishment . So upon leaving , the guard of al-Hajjaj {full of  surprise at the sudden turn of the events } asked Hassan Basri , "When you entered and saw the sword ready you muttered a few words. What did you say ?"

Al-Hassan answered , " I prayed God , " O my Master and Protector reverse the rage of al-Hajjaj as You changed the fire into coolness for Abraham". Among the many memorable occasions or pious advice offered by our Hassan Basri to rulers was his encounter with a great governor of Iraq and Persia, Umar ibn Hubaira. It is reported  that ibn Hubaira used to recieve from Caliph in Damascus orders  which smelt injustice. So he invited two religious scholars  including Hassan Basri  to seek their opinion and advice, following are rough translations of Hassan Basri's advice

"Ibn Hubaira , have fear of god in dealing with Yazeed { the caliph } , and fear not Yazeed in you dealings with God. Remember that God can protect you from Yazeed , but Yazeed cannot protect you from God."

"A tough Angel, who disobeys  not God, will come to you taking you from your great and wide palace to the narrow grave , where you will find no Yazeed , but only your wrong actions with which you disobeyed the Lord and Master of Yazeed . Ibn Hubaira , if you are with God , He will protect you from the wrath of  Yazeed ibn Abdul Malik in this  world and in the Hereafter. But if you are with Yazeeed in defiance of God's commandments, God will leave you to the mercy of Yazeed in defiance  of God's commandments. God will leave you to the mercy of Yazeed. Remember that one shud never obey a creature whoever he might be in disobedience to the Creator." It was with this type of words of wisdom that  Hassan Basri spent his 80 years  of pious and ascetic  life teaching and preaching  not only to rulers and masses of his time, but also to all readers of  his sayings at all times.

Here are few of his sayings

HASAN BASRI advised some of his students admonishing them about the state of being proud. He said :

1. Do not deceive yourself into becoming too proud because you are in a good or righteous environment , for there is no place that is better than Paradise, and our father, Adam experienced there what is known to all.

2. Do not become proud merely because you worship often, for consider what happened to iblis { satan} after he spent a great deal of time worshipping.

3. Do not think yourself great because you have met with righteous people, for there is no man more righteous than the Prophet, yet the disbelievers and hypocrites did not benefit by simply knowing him.

Source : Gems and Jewels - Darussalam : Saudi Arabia.