Haj Hassan: The Silent Pillar Behind Sayyed Nasrallah — In Life and Beyond
An intimate portrait of Mohammad Habib Kheiredine — known as “Haj Hassan” — the steadfast confidant whose quiet devotion shaped the Lebanese resistance movement
For more than three decades, Mohammad Habib Kheiredine — better known by his nom de guerre Haj Hassan — operated in the shadows yet stood at the heart of Lebanon’s resistance leadership. As the longtime personal secretary and confidant of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, he played a central role while maintaining an almost invisible presence to the public eye. His martyrdom in an Israeli airstrike on September 28 last year revealed only a sliver of his sacrifice, as his family now shares stories that illuminate the depth of his character, his discipline, and his loyalty.
A Life of Quiet Commitment
Though instrumental in guiding Hezbollah’s political, military, and strategic decisions, Haj Hassan chose anonymity. For 35 years he stood by Sayyed Nasrallah, working behind the scenes on key operations, yet he rarely exposed himself to the public. His wife, Fadia, recalls that she and their children often had no inkling of his closeness to the leader until after many years of marriage.
In her words: “He always tried to keep his identity anonymous… he worked with different leaders … and reported directly to Sayyed Nasrallah.”
Ascetic in Spirit, Tender in Heart
Though he managed immense responsibilities, Haj Hassan led a surprisingly humble and disciplined life. He wore clean, modest clothes, favored perfumes, and pursued a life rooted in simplicity. His guiding principle, according to Fadia, was drawn from the Qur’anic injunction:
“So that you do not grieve over what you have missed and do not rejoice over what He has given you.”
He was known to be self-restrained, patient, and deeply caring — traits that endeared him to colleagues, friends, and family alike.
Guardianship and Secrecy
Security was central to his life. From day-to-day operations to family affairs, he trained his household in strict confidentiality. For years, he never carried a mobile phone and imposed a rule against photos, even in private settings, to protect his work and identity.
Yet amid these precautions, he still preserved moments of normalcy — celebrating birthdays, attending school graduations, and sharing laughter at home with his family.
Compassion Illuminated Through Deeds
Behind the tight veil of his life lay a man of remarkable generosity. After his identity became known, many recounted how, anonymously, he had paid off debts, funded medical bills, and supported marriages. One beneficiary told Fadia: “If it were not for Haj Hassan, I would have never been able to marry.”
He also remained profoundly devoted to his own family, ensuring his parents’ safety during conflict, and urging his wife and children to stay protected. His final phone call to Fadia came just before the fatal strike: he urged her and the children to depart the Dahiyeh area, aware of the growing danger.
In Grief, From Reverence
When news broke of the attack, Fadia and her children wept first for the loss of Sayyed Nasrallah, before turning to mourn Haj Hassan. Rather than fear or regret, their overriding sentiment was commitment: they embrace his path and legacy, knowing this was the destiny he accepted and prepared for.
His body, upon discovery, bore only slight marks. His face, as Fadia recalled, remained radiant. They spent a night with him, reading verses from the Qur’an, before bidding farewell.
A Legacy and a Challenge
Before the war’s escalation, Haj Hassan had felt the weight of potential martyrdom. He redrafted his will. He often spoke with Fadia about the inevitability of sacrifice, urging them not to sorrow, but to trust that new generations would rise to carry the torch.
He believed that the founding leadership would give way — through the supreme sacrifice — to younger men and women who would continue the struggle. His own martyrdom, he accepted, might come together with Sayyed Nasrallah, but he remained resolute in his hope for continuity.
In examining the life of Haj Hassan, one cannot help but be struck by his paradox: so central to the heartbeat of resistance, yet so rarely seen; so powerful in influence, yet so gentle in manner. His story is a lesson in devotion, in humility, and in the unseen sacrifices that shape movements. May his memory inspire steadfastness, and may the path he served continue with vigour and faith.
Source: PressTv