Imam of the Age and al-Hasan (as)

Reposted

---

As salaamu alaikum.
What are the standards that Zaydis use to determine if someone is the Imam of the Age ? My understanding is that one must be a Fatimid, excel in knowledge, proclaim publicly one's Imamate and raise the sword against the oppressors. But this would seem to exclude Imam Hassan (as) who did not fight ? Is there a different standard for him ? If so then why ?

---

wa alaykum as salaam!

Thank you for your question!

As for the standards used to determine the Zaydi imam, they are as you mentioned. They also include the qualities of zuhd, which means that the Imam must exercise and demonstrate an indifference towards the life of this world.

These characteristics apply to the imams after Imam al-Hassan (as). His imamate as well as that of his brother and father, upon them be peace, was publicly and explicitly declared by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny. Therefore, there was no need for the three of them to prove their imamates using such characteristics. That is not to say that they didn't. Imam Ali (as) for example mentioned his unparalleled virtues, knowledge and bravery to his opponents to justify his claim to imamate. However, the declaration of Ghadeer and other ahadith were sufficient to prove his authority.

This would mean that Imam al-Hassan (as) did not have to fight to prove his imamate. He didn't have to prove something that was explicitly stated for him. His refusal to continue fighting Mu'awiya did not invalidate his imamate just as Imam Ali's refusal to fight the first three caliphs did not invalidate his imamate.

And Allah knows best!

IRS