Story No. 454 – Imam Hasan Askari’s (as) Generosity with his Enemies

It is narrated that Al-Mu’tamid, the Abbasid Caliph had kept a spy to keep a watchful eye on our 11th Imam, Imam Hasan Askari’s (as) movements.

One day, a Shia (follower of Imam Hasan Askari (as)) sent some pomegranates to him as a gift. The pomegranates were placed in front of Imam Hasan Askari (as).

The spy, who happened to be present at that time, kept on staring at the pomegranates longingly. When Imam Hasan Askari (as) noticed this behaviour, despite his knowledge about him, Imam Hasan Askari (as) picked up one pomegranate and gave it to the spy. The spy took it but did not eat it.

Imam Hasan Askari (as) asked him: “Why aren’t you eating the pomegranate I gave you?” He said, “I have five children and I never eat without them. I was just wondering how I will share this one pomegranate with them”?

Imam Hasan Askari (as) felt pity for him and gave away all the pomegranates to him. The man refused but Imam Hasan Askari (as) insisted saying: “If your children eat these, it is better than I eat them!”

Innumerable true stories of our Holy Imams are written in the books, from which we can learn a lot. Studying the lives of our Holy personalities is important to all of us and to pass it over to our children. In conclusion we should raise our hands in supplication and pray that may Allah (SWT) guide us all to the path of the Ahlul Bayt (as) and give us Taufeeq to practice what they have taught us. Ameen