One of Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Hussain’s (as) exclusive virtues, according to authentic hadiths, which have been transmitted by both Sunnis and Shi‘ahs from the Holy Prophet (S), is that these two are the leaders and masters of the youths of Paradise. This honor has not been granted to anyone except these two people.

Let us now examine and deliberate upon these hadiths.

Hadith

It has been recorded that the Holy Prophet (S) said, "Al-Hasan and al-Hussain are the two masters and leaders of the youths of paradise." This tradition has reached high fame and reputation and is classified among the firmly established hadith related in successive chains. Now, let us refer to and discuss the various versions of the hadith that have been recounted:

1. On his own chain of transmission [sanad], Khatib Baghdadi recounts that Amir al-Mu’minin ‘Ali (as) quoted the Holy Prophet (S) saying,

الحسن والحسين سيدا شباب أهل الجنة، وأبوهما خير منهما.

"Al-Hasan and al-Hussain are the masters of the youths of Paradise and their father is better than these two."2

2. On his own chain of transmission, Muttaqi al-Hindi recounts that Imam ‘Ali (as) narrated that the Holy Prophet (S) said to Fatimah (as),

ألا ترضين أن تکوني سيدة نساء أهل الجنة، وأبناك سيدي شباب اهل الجنة.

"Will you not be pleased that you will be the chief of the women of Paradise and your two children will be the chiefs of the youths of Paradise?"3

3. On his own chain of transmission, Ibn ‘Asakir recounts that Ibn ‘Abbas quoted the Holy Prophet (S) saying,

الحسن والحسين سيدا شباب اهل الجنة، من أحبهما فقد أحبّني ومن أبغضهما فقد أبغضني.

"Al-Hasan and al-Hussain are both chiefs of the youths of Paradise. Anyone who loves them, surely loves me, and anyone who hates them, surely hates me."4

Others have also narrated and recorded this hadith. This hadith has been recounted by many of the Prophet’s (S) companions. Many Sunni scholars have also recorded and narrated this noble hadith. A number of Sunni scholars of hadith have stipulated and confirmed the correctness of this hadith.

SOURCE:

1. Book: 'The Uprising of Ashura and Responses to Doubts' by Ali Asghar Ridwani.

2. Ahl-ul-bayt.org (http://www.ahl-ul-bayt.org/media/aw_library/book/589/bookfile/1486366270356.pdf)