Imam Hasan was the older son of Imam ‘Ali and Lady Fatima Zahra’ – the younger son being Imam Husayn. While Imam Hasan was only a boy of about seven years when Prophet Muhammad passed away, the Messenger of God had made a point to recognize Imam Hasan with distinction. In several traditions, Prophet Muhammad is narrated to have said:

“Hasan and Husayn are the Masters of the Youths in Paradise.”