Forbearance

not ride them. So much so, his feet would swell due to walking. He used to say, “I feel embarrassed to go in Allah‟s majestic court on a ride.”

The people who accompanied him would dismount their rides out of his respect, but he would tell them, “You do not have to do this as many among you are weak.” When they hesitated, Hasan insisted them to change their route so that they would not hesitate to travel to Makkah on their rides.

Al-Suyuti says that Marwan was an arch-enemy of Hasan ibn Ali and used to torture him in different ways. He even used insolent words against him but in response Hasan always remained silent and let go of it. When Hasan ibn Ali passed away, Marwan wept bitterly. Husayn ibn Ali asked him, “You used to cause him pain with your oppression, why do you cry now?” He replied, “I oppressed the one whose forbearance was as strong as the mountains.”

Once Hasan ibn Ali was having a meal with some friends, a slave brought a bowl of curry. The bowl dropped from his hands and curry fell on Hasan. Seeing this the slave got nervous and recited the first part of verse 134 of sura aal-Imran:

ظیغلاسیمظاکلاو

Meaning: The ones who sublimate their anger. Listening to it, Hasan ibn Ali said, “I have sublimated my anger.” The slave then recited the next part of the verse:

سانلانعسیفاعلاو

Meaning: And tolerate (the faults of the) people. Hasan ibn Ali said, “I forgave you.”