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Rasulullah (SA) declares: Hasan and Husain (AS) are Imams of Haq, both in war and peace; their father is supreme.
Imam Hasan (AS) succeeded Amir ul mumineen (AS) to the Imamat. The Iraqis abandoned him; the Kufis in particular proved disloyal. Imam Hasan (AS) chose to sign a truce, and hand over the affairs of state to Moawiyah. Many questioned his action, including Jabir bin Abdullah, the faithful companion of Rasulullah (SA). Imam Hasan (AS) replied that if Rasulullah (SA) himself endorsed his action, would that satisfy Jabir? Rasulullah (SA) revealed himself by miracle and assured Jabir that Imam Hasan (AS) had acted upon Haq. Jabir was appeased and all his doubts were laid to rest.
Binding conditions were agreed upon in the truce. Among these was that Moawiyah would refrain from abusing Amir ul mumineen (AS) and that he would not persecute the Shia. Many loyal stalwarts had given up their lives fighting alongside Amir ul mumineen (AS), and Imam Hasan (AS) was eager to protect the remainder. Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) writes in his qasida mubaraka : "Because of Imam Hasan (AS), the blood of muslims was protected."
Following the truce, Moawiyah asked Imam Hasan (AS) to address the people, certain that this would cause him humiliation. Imam Hasan (AS) ascended the minbar and delivered a khutba of such eloquence that the audience was astounded and Moawiyah pleaded with him to say no more. Imam Hasan (AS) stated that he and his Shia were the faction of Allah. He urged the people to rise with him and fight the enemy, but the audience replied in a chorus:
They voted for taqiyah (dissimulation); according to another account they called out al-baqiya- do not allow the remainder of the Ashab to perish.
Imam Hasan (AS) having distanced himself from the state was able to concentrate on disseminating knowledge and strengthening dawat. Moawiyah looked on helplessly as Imam Hasan (AS) thwarted his intent. Enraged, he repeatedly sent poison to Imam Hasan (AS) and finally poisoned him to death with heera kani.
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