Hassan (2)

Hassan a Mohammedan teacher, was the eldest son of Ali, and the second of the twelve imams of that line. On the death of his father, in 661, he was immediately proclaimed caliph and imam in Irak; the former title he was forced to resign to Moawiyah, the latter or spiritual dignity he retained in reference to his followers. He was poisoned in 678 by a son of Moawiyah', as is supposed.