Among the eminent persons who died that year was al-Hasan ibn al-Hasan (1) ibn ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, Abū Muḥammad al-Qurashī al-Hāshimī. Through his father, from his grandfather, he transmitted a marfūʿ hadith:

“Whoever provides for a Muslim household for a full day and night, Allah will forgive his sins.” (2)

Reports are also related from him on the authority of ʿUbayd Allah ibn Jaʿfar, from ʿAlī, concerning the supplication for distress (3), and from his wife Fāṭimah bint al-Ḥusayn. Those who narrated from him include his son ʿAbd Allah and others.

He visited ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān, who honored him, supported him against al-Ḥajjāj, and appointed him sole overseer of the charitable endowments (ṣadaqa) of ʿAlī. The hadith scholar Ibn ʿAsākir produced an excellent biography of him, citing reports that demonstrate his nobility, his deeds, and his adherence to the sunnah. May Allah have mercy on him.

It is said that al-Walīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik (4) wrote to his governor in Madinah: “Al-Hasan ibn al-Hasan is corresponding with the people of Iraq. When this letter reaches you, flog him one hundred lashes, parade him before the people, and let me see him only as a dead man.” The governor summoned him, whereupon ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn taught him the words to recite in times of distress. He uttered them upon entering, and Allah delivered him. They are:

“There is no god but Allah, the Forbearing, the Generous;
there is no god but Allah, the Most High, the Majestic;
there is no god but Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord of the Mighty Throne.” (5)

He died in Madinah, and his mother was Khawlah bint Manẓūr al-Fazārī. (6)

On one occasion he said to a man from among the Rāfiḍites, “By Allah, killing you would be an act of drawing nearer to Allah—Exalted is He.” Someone remarked, “You are joking.” He replied, “By Allah, this is no jest on my part; it is in earnest.” (7)

Another of them said to him, “Did not the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—say, ‘Whoever I am his mawla, ʿAlī is his mawla’?” He answered, “Indeed. Yet had he intended the caliphate, he would have addressed the people, saying: ‘O people, be aware that this man will take charge of your affairs after me; he is the one appointed over you,’