She greeted you and presented you with a vase of flowers, which is valueless and in return, why did you set her free?”
Imam (as) responded, “Allah (SWT) has taught me that when someone greets you, then in reply, greet the person in a better manner. ‘When you are greeted with a salute, greet with a better one than it, or return it; indeed Allah takes account of all deeds’ (4:86) My best form of returning her greeting was to set her free”. (Manaqib Aali Abi Talib)

Imam Hasan (A) and His Slave
Imam Hasan (A) was once sitting for dinner when his slave slipped and dropped some hot soup on the Imam (A), scalding him. The fearful slave immediately recited the verse 3:134.
(The pious people) control their anger
The Imam (A) smiled and said, "I am not angry". The slave then continued to recite the same Ayat:
And pardon men
The Imam (A) said, "I have forgiven you". The slave then recited the last part of the Ayat:
And Allah loves those who do god (to others). (A'li Imran, 3:134)
The Imam (A) then set the slave free and also gave him 1000 Dinars.
This incident shows how an ordinary person with the help of the Holy Qur’an, obtained his freedom. It is also important to note how knowledgeable the slave had become, staying in the company of the Imam (A).

The Merciless Enemy
Imam Hasan (a.s.) had just arrived home. He was tired and intended to rest. Just then, a man knocked on the door. He asked permission and came in. He greeted the Imam with his salam and sat down.
Imam Hasan returned his salam and treated him respectfully and asked him how he was. The man sat very still. It was clear that he had something in his mind, but was embarrassed to speak about it. Imam looked at his face and became sad.
He knew that the man had a problem. Patiently he waited for the man to tell him his troubles.
The man sighed" O son of the Prophet." he said at last, `I have come to you to seek refuge from an enemy, A cruel, dangerous. merciless enemy.
An enemy that neither shows respect to the aged. nor mercy to the young. This powerful and cruel enemy has blackened my days. My life is a misery and I am helpless. O son of the Prophet Heed my call and save me" Imam Hasan (a.s.) had been listening closely to the man's words. He had become affected that he was trembling.
He leaned forward and said. "Who is your enemy? Whoever he is I will help you against him. I am a Muslim and a Muslim must defend his oppressed brothers and obtain for them their rights.
Tell me who your enemy is." "My enemy," said the man ,who was so embarrassed that his face had become red "is poverty" This is my enemy who neither respects the elderly, nor shows mercy to the young.
O son of the Prophet, I am not a lazy man, I work hard, but I cannot meet my expenses. Problems have put me in distress. I am empty-handed and in debt.
You are from a noble and generous family, will you deliver me from this appalling situation?" Imam Hasan had become very sad listening to the man's problems. "Whatever money we have in the house," he said to his servant, `bring it to me" The servant put all the gold pieces that were in the house into a large purse and brought it to Imam Hasan.
Imam gave it to the man and, so as to cheer him up, he apologized that he had no more. Then he said, "Pay your debts, with this money and solve all your problems. Then you can earn your living with a clear heart and mind. I hope that by working hard you can remain independent.
But I swear that if this enemy attacks you a gain, you must again come and complain about it to me. The poverty of people like you who work hard is because their rights are not properly given to them."
We Muslims are bound to help the poor and destitute and defend their trampled rights. We must strive to establish justice and equity, so that poverty will be eliminated.

The Source of Kindness
One day, Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.) was passing a place when he met a Syrian man. The Syrian disgraced and cursed Imam Hasan (A.S.). Imam Hassan (A.S.) remained silent until the Syrian was through. Then he greeted him and smiled. Imam then continued, “I suppose that you are a stranger in this city and something has led you in error…If you have a request from me, ask us to provide it. If you ask for guidance from us, we will guide and advise you; if you are hungry, we will feed you; if you are bare, we will clothe you; if you are in need, we will fulfill your need; if you have been driven away from elsewhere, we will shelter you; if you want anything, say so we make it available for you. If you bring your luggage to our house and remain as our guest till the time you are in this city, this will be better for you…..”
When the Syrian heard these, he began crying and said, “I attest that you are Allah’s (SWT) successor on earth and He knows best where to place His succession. Before meeting you, you and your father were my worst enemies, but now I view you as the dearest persons toward me.”
The Syrian went to Imam Hassan’s (A.S.) house and stayed there while he was in Medina and became one of the devout believers and lovers of Prophet Muhammad’s (S.A.W.) family.
(Selected from Muntaha al-Amal, vol. 1, p. 417)