Hassan ibn Thabit
Hassan ibn Thabit (died 674) was an Arabian poet and one of the Sahaba, or companions of Muhammad. He was born in Yathrib (Medina), and was member of the Banu Khazraj tribe. According to tradition, he was the court poet to Muhammad.
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[edit] Life
According to Islamic tradition Hassan lived for 120 years, sixty years before converting to Islam and another sixty thereafter.[1] In his youth he traveled to Al-Hirah and Damascus, then settled in Medina, where, after the arrival of Muhammad, he accepted Islam and wrote poems in his defense. This was regarded as an example of early Muslims using their pagan talents to advance their new faith.[1]
Muhammad gave Hassan his slave Sirin, the sister of Muhammad's wife Maria al-Qibtiyya. The sisters were Egyptian Coptic Christians sent as gifts to Muhammad by Muqawqis, a ruler of Egypt, in around 628. Sirin bore Hassan a son, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Hassan.[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.
[edit] Invasion of Banu Qurayza
He participated in the Invasion of Banu Qurayza. Muslims continued their siege for many days and were getting tired. Ali bin Abi Talib and Az-Zubair bin ‘Awwam proceeded with ‘Ali swearing that he would never stop until he had either stormed their garrisons or been martyred like Hamza.
Muhammad meanwhile asked one of his poets, Hassan bin Thabit to abuse them with his poems. This is mentioned in Sunni hadith collections:
| “ | Abuse them (with your poems), and Gabriel is with you (i.e, supports you)." (Through another group of sub narrators) Al-Bara bin Azib said, "On the day of Quraiza's (besiege), Allah's Apostle said to Hassan bin Thabit, 'Abuse them (with your poems), and Gabriel is with you (i.e. supports you).' " Sahih al-Bukhari, 5:59:449 | ” |
[edit] Notes
[edit] See also
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[edit] References
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Tabari (1997). Vol. 8 of the Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk. State University of New York Press.
