The Passing of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS)
The 28th day of Safar in Islamic history commemorates two great and heartbreaking events: the passing of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad al-Mustafa (PBUH), in the year 11 AH, and the martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS) in the year 50 AH.
The Holy Prophet of Islam, after 63 blessed years of life and 23 years of divine mission, passed away in Madinah after returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage. His departure was not only the end of the descent of revelation but also a turning point in the history of human guidance, for from that moment onward, the Muslim ummah was to continue the path of guidance through adherence to the Holy Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). The Prophet (PBUH) was the perfect manifestation of divine guidance, and the light of his prophethood illuminated the path of humanity toward God.
A few decades later, the Prophet’s noble son, Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS), was martyred under oppressive circumstances after being poisoned by his wife, Ja’dah, at the instigation of Mu‘awiya. Imam Hasan (AS) passed away in the year 50 AH at the age of 47. His martyrdom stands as a symbol of the oppression endured by the Ahl al-Bayt and the continuation of the path of divine leadership and guidance. It reminds us that divine guidance did not end with the Prophet’s departure; rather, it continues through the system of guardianship (wilayah), and pure hearts filled with insight become the means of connecting human beings to their Lord.
Wilayah in Islam is a truth that transcends time and place. Whoever turns away from the distractions and desires of the world toward purity and unity has stepped onto the path of wilayah. Recognizing the Imam is a condition for entering Paradise and attaining tranquility in life—yet this recognition is not merely intellectual; it must be lived, practiced, and reflected in one’s character. The Imam is the manifestation of God’s light, and the radiance of his existence is a means through which a person draws closer to the Lord. Whoever lives within the orbit of wilayah has their heart illuminated by the light of guidance and finds serenity amidst the turmoil of the world.
The 28th of Safar is not only a day of mourning the loss of two divine personalities; it is a reminder to rediscover the path of connection with truth and the continuation of the prophetic mission. The passing of the Prophet and the martyrdom of Imam Hasan (AS) teach us that only by attaching ourselves to the Imam and following the path of wilayah can we move from the darkness of ignorance and division toward the light of unity. This connection is the key to inner peace, spiritual awakening, and true faith. It reminds us that divine guidance has neither ended nor faded—it continues to flow through history and through the hearts of human beings.