An-Nasir al-Hasan
Encyclopedia
An-Nasir al-Hasan was an imam
of the Zaidi
state in Yemen, who exerted a limited authority in the northern Yemeni highland in 1495-1523.
Al-Hasan bin Izz ad-Din was the son of the forceful imam al-Hadi Izz ad-Din
. After the death of the latter in 1495, al-Hasan proclaimed his call for the imamate
under the name an-Nasir al-Hasan. He inherited his father's love for learning, but hardly his political skills. Zaidi tradition depicts him positively as a shelter for widows and orphans, and a haven for the weak. Nevertheless, an-Nasir al-Hasan could only control a limited area in the northern highlands. For many years he had to resist the rival imam al-Mansur Muhammad
(d. 1505). Al-Mansur was captured and poisoned by the Tahiride
Sultan Amir in 1504, and the Tahirides seized San'a. In later years, an-Nasir al-Hasan was eclipsed by a new powerful imam, al-Mutawakkil Yahya Sharaf ad-Din
(r. 1506-1555). He died in obscurity in 1523 and was buried in Falala. He sired nine sons, Muhammad, Izz ad-Din, Majd ad-Din, Da'ud, Ahmad, Salah, Yahya, Taj ad-Din, and Ali. Majd ad-Din made his call for the imamate after his father's demise, but was unsuccessful and died in 1536 without ever holding political power.
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
of the Zaidi
Zaidiyyah
Zaidiyya, or Zaidism is a Shi'a Muslim school of thought named after Zayd ibn ʻAlī, the grandson of Husayn ibn ʻAlī. Followers of the Zaydi Islamic jurisprudence are called Zaydi Shi'a...
state in Yemen, who exerted a limited authority in the northern Yemeni highland in 1495-1523.
Al-Hasan bin Izz ad-Din was the son of the forceful imam al-Hadi Izz ad-Din
Al-Hadi Izz ad-din
Al-Hadi Izz ad-Din was an imam of the Zaidi state in Yemen, who held the imamate in 1474-1495 in rivalry with other claimants....
. After the death of the latter in 1495, al-Hasan proclaimed his call for the imamate
Imamate
The word Imamate is an Arabic word with an English language suffix meaning leadership. Its use in theology is confined to Islam.-Theological usage:...
under the name an-Nasir al-Hasan. He inherited his father's love for learning, but hardly his political skills. Zaidi tradition depicts him positively as a shelter for widows and orphans, and a haven for the weak. Nevertheless, an-Nasir al-Hasan could only control a limited area in the northern highlands. For many years he had to resist the rival imam al-Mansur Muhammad
Al-Mansur Muhammad
Al-Mansur Muhammad was an imam of the Zaidi state in Yemen who ruled in 1475-1504, in rivalry with other claimants for the imamate.-Zaidi disunity:...
(d. 1505). Al-Mansur was captured and poisoned by the Tahiride
Tahiride
The Tahiride was an Arab Muslim dynasty that ruled Yemen and the Hadramawt from 1454 to 1526.The Tahiride Rulers, who took power at the end of a period of anarchy that followed the collapse of the Rasulid dynasty in the mid-15th century, tried to imitate Bani Rasool...
Sultan Amir in 1504, and the Tahirides seized San'a. In later years, an-Nasir al-Hasan was eclipsed by a new powerful imam, al-Mutawakkil Yahya Sharaf ad-Din
Al-Mutawakkil Yahya Sharaf ad-Din
Al-Mutawakkil Yahya Sharaf ad-Din was an imam of the Zaidi state in Yemen. His period as imam covered the period 1506-1555, though his political activity ended in about 1547.-Construction of a new Zaidi realm:...
(r. 1506-1555). He died in obscurity in 1523 and was buried in Falala. He sired nine sons, Muhammad, Izz ad-Din, Majd ad-Din, Da'ud, Ahmad, Salah, Yahya, Taj ad-Din, and Ali. Majd ad-Din made his call for the imamate after his father's demise, but was unsuccessful and died in 1536 without ever holding political power.