Hassan ibn Thabit
Hassan ibn Thabit (Arabic: حسان ابن ثابت, romanized: Ḥassān ibn Thābit; c. 563–674) was an Arabian Islamic poet. He was a prominent companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and was known for his poems in defense of the latter. According to Islamic tradition, Hassan lived for 120 years, sixty years before converting to Islam and another sixty thereafter.[1]
Hassan ibn Thabit حسان ابن ثابت | |
|---|---|
 Hassan ibn Thabit's name in Arabic calligraphy | |
| Personal | |
| Born | c. 563 CE |
| Died | 674 (aged 110–111) |
| Religion | Islam |
| Spouse | Sirin bint Shamun |
| Children | Abd al-Rahman |
| Tribe | Banu Khazraj |
Biography
Hassan was born in Medina in c. 563 and hailed from the Banu Khazraj tribe.[2] In his youth, he is reported to have travelled to al-Hira, then part of the Lakhmids, and to Damascus, then under the administration of the Ghassanids.[2] He is reported to have won acclaim at the courts of the Lakhmid and Ghassanid kings. Hassan reportedly met the prominent poets al-Nabigha (d. 604) and Alqama al-Fahl in al-Hira.[3]
After Muhammad's arrival in Medina in c. 622, Hassan accepted Islam at a mature age. According to the historian Ibn Ishaq (d. 767), Hassan was sixty years old at his conversion.[4] The modern historian Walid Arafat considers this report to be fictitious citing that the account was taken solely on Hassan's grandson Sa'id.[4] Hassan is considered amongst the Ansar (lit. 'Helpers'), the natives of Medina who hosted Muhammad after his migration from Mecca.
Hassan wrote poems in defense of Muhammad and gained fame for his poetry.[2] After Muhammad'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 minbar-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 preach the message of Allah and defend His Prophet.
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.[5]
Notes
- Thomas Patrick Hughes, 1885/1999 rept., Dictionary of Islam, New Delhi: Rupa & Co.
- Thatcher 1911, p. 51.
- Britannica 1998.
- Arafat 2012.
- Ibn Thabit, Hassan (1971). Walid N. ʿArafat (ed.). Diwan of Hassan Ibn Thabit. Gibb Memorial Trust. ISBN 9780906094303.
See also
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Bibliography
- Arafat, W. (2012). "Ḥassān b. T̲h̲ābit". Encyclopaedia of Islam (2nd ed.). E.J. Brill. ISBN 9789004161214.
- Britannica (1998). "Ḥassān ibn Thābit". Encyclopædia Britannica. Britannica.
- Thatcher, Griffithes Wheeler (1911). . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 51.
- Tabari (1997). Vol. 8 of the Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk. State University of New York Press.