Review of Traditions about Mohsen Ibn Ali (P.B.U.H) in Shia and Sunni Sources

Traditions in Shia and Sunni narrative and historical sources about children of Imam Ali and Lady Zahra have regarded Mohassan as one of their children. However, there are controversies on his birth and death or martyrdom in common sources. Many of these sources regard him as Imam Ali and Lady Zahra's child and merely mention his death during childhood. Others have either basically mentioned the traditions on his martyrdom or have distorted and omitted these traditions. On the other hand, a majority of Shia sources have not only mentioned the name of Mohassan, but also have asserted his being aborted due to the attack to Lady Zahra's house. Few others have mentioned his death during childhood without referring to its cause, which is not contrary to his abortion and martyrdom. Since some contemporary researchers have doubts about the validity and implication of Shia traditions when reporting these traditions, the present paper reviews and validates relevant traditions in Shia and Sunni sources.