The Naming of Hasan, Husain and Muhassin

Hazrat Sayyidina Ali (Radhiyallahu anhu) narrates: “I wanted my kunyah to be Abu Harb. So, when Hasan was born, I named him Harb. (Harb means ‘war’. Hazrat Ali Radhiyallahu anhu was a brave and warlike person. He wanted to be called Abul Harb, and hence he named his children each time ‘Harb’.)

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came and asked: ‘Where is my son? What have you named him?’ I said that we have named him Harb. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaih wasallam) said: ‘No, his name is Hasan.’

Then, when Husain was born, I also decided to name him Harb. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came and asked: ‘Where is my son? What have you named him?’ I replied that we have named him Harb. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘No, he is Husain.’

Then when the third son was born, I again named him Harb. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) arrived and asked: ‘Where is my son? What have you named him?’ I said that we have named him Harb. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘No, he is Muhassin.’

Then he said: ‘The names that I have kept are the names of the three sons of Haroon (Alaihis Salaam). The first was Shabbar, the second was Shibbeer and the third was Mushabbar.” (Hasan, Husain and Muhassin are the translations of those names).

The third son of Hazrat Faatimah (Radhiyallahu anha), Hazrat Muhassin, passed away in childhood.

(Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Kee Saahbzaadiya)