Hasan ibn Ali

Timeline

1. 625–632Medina · MedinaBorn in Medina, eldest son of Ali and Fatima, he drew attention even during the Prophet's lifetime; traditional sources record that Muhammad held and cherished Hasan, giving him a lofty place in Muslim collective memory.
2. 656–661Kufa · KufaAfter his father Ali was chosen as the fourth caliph, Hasan was drawn with him into the First Islamic Fitna, acting on Ali's side in battles such as Siffin; after Ali's assassination, the Muslims of Kufa acclaimed Hasan as successor.
3. 661–670Medina · MedinaFacing Mu'awiya's military pressure and instability among his followers after being acclaimed caliph, Hasan chose peace and gave up the caliphate in exchange for conditions including Mu'awiya not persecuting Ali's family; he then lived in seclusion in Medina, dying in 670, and Shi'a tradition lists him as the second Imam.