Al-'Abbas (a): Difference between revisions

* Abd Salih

== His Birth and Martyrdom ==

'Abbas (a) was born on 4th of Sha'ban 26 AH in Medina and was martyred in the event of 'Ashura on 10th of Muharram 61 AH in Karbala.

== His Childhood and Teenage Life ==

=== His Childhood ===

During Abbas's (a) childhood, his father and brothers Hasan (a) and Husayn (a) were with him and he (a) benefitted from their knowledge and insight. About his son's progress, Imam 'Ali (a) said, "Indeed, 'Abbas (a) my son acquired knowledge in childhood and like a young pigeon which takes water and food from his mother, gained knowledge from me."

In the early days he (a) started speaking, Imam (a) told him, "Say one!" 'Abbas said, "one." Imam continued, "say two!" 'Abbas (a) refused and said, "I feel ashamed to say 'two' with the tongue I have called God's Oneness." Then Imam 'Ali (a) seeing the future of 'Abbas (a) became gloomy and wept. When his wife asked why he (a) was weeping, Imam 'Ali (a) answered, "Abbas's (a) hands will be cut on the way of assisting Husayn (a). He (a) then informed about the position and dignity of his son as, "God, the Almighty with give him two wings to fly in paradise like his uncle Ja'far b. Abi Talib (a)."

=== His Teenage Life ===

With especial care and attention, Imam 'Ali (a) taught 'Abbas (a) Islamic manner and morality and educated him based on Islamic teachings. During 14 years and 47 days of living with his father Imam 'Ali (a), 'Abbas (a) was always with him and during difficult days of caliphate, did not leave him even for a moment. 'Abbas (a) attended the battle of Siffin in 37 AH and there are reports about his bravery in the battle.

== His Wife and Children ==

The progeny of 'Abbas (a) continued through 'Abayd Allah who had two sons called Abd Allah and Hasan. Abd Allah did not have children, but Hasan had five sons called 'Ubayd Allah, who was the ruler of Mecca and Medina for a while and also the judge in both cities; Abbas, who was famous for his eloquence and making speech; Hamzat al-Akbar and Ibrahim Jurdaqa who was among scholars of fiqh and literature and pious people and the last one of them, Fadl. Each of the children of Hasan had knowledgeable children among who are Muhammad b. 'Ali b. Hamza b. Hasan b. 'Ubayd Allah, the hadith scholar of the third century AH.

== In The Event of Karbala ==

On the evening of Tasu'a, Shimr sent a safe conduct for 'Abbas (a) and his brothers, but 'Abbas (a) ignored it, until Imam al-Husayn (a) asked him to reply to Shimr. 'Abbas (a) told Shimr, "What are you saying?" he said, "you and your brothers are safe to go." 'Abbas (a) answered, "May your hands be cut and curse [of God] be upon your safe conduct. O the enemy of God! Do you order that I leave our brother and master Husayn (a), son of Fatima (s) and join the cursed, sons of the cursed?! You give us safe conduct while the son of the Prophet (s) [Husayn b. 'Ali (a)] is not safe?!"

On the 7th of Muharram, when 'Ubayd Allah ordered 'Umar Sa'd to subdue Husayn (a) and his companions and prevent their access to the water of Euphrates, Imam (a) called 'Abbas (a) and sent 30 horsemen with 20 foot soldiers with him to fill leather bottles with water and return to the camp.

On the day of 'Ashura, he (a) went again to Euphrates to bring water by the order of Imam (a), but when they filled their leather bottles, on the way back to the tents, they shot his leather bottle and martyred him.

On the eve of 'Ashura, 'Abbas (a) took the responsibility of guarding the tents of Imam al-Husayn (a). Even though, he (a) had taken one night permission from the enemy before battle, but 'Abbas (a) was walking around tents and guarding them as a matter of caution, when Zuhayr came to him.

Zuhayr told 'Abbas (a) about how Imam 'Ali (a) proposed to Umm al-Banin and mentioned the intention of Imam 'Ali (a) from marriage and said, "O Abbas! Your father wanted you for a day like today; behold not to fail to fulfill your duty!" 'Abbas (a) became angry about such words and told him, "Zuhayr! Do you want to lionize me with such words?! By God I swear, I would not fail to assist and support my brother until death. I will show you that tomorrow in a way that you would have never seen in your life!"

In the morning of 'Ashura, when Imam al-Husayn (a) finished his prayer and worships, the enemy's army held a military position and announced war. Imam (a) prepared his people for defense. They consisted of 32 horsemen and 40 foot soldiers.

Imam (a) appointed Zuhayr b. Qeyn on the right wing and Habib b. Mazahir on the left wing and gave the standard to 'Abbas (a) in the middle of his people.

In the first hours of the battle, four of the people of Imam al-Husayn (a) with the names of 'Amr b. khalid Saydawi, Jabir b. Harith Salmani, Majma' b. Abd Allah 'Aidhi and Sa'd, the slave of 'Amr b. Khalid made a group attack to the army of Kufa.

== His Martyrdom ==

Shaykh Mufid wrote, "when 'Abbas b. 'Ali (a), may God's blessings be upon him, saw that many of his relatives were martyred told his brothers Abd Allah, Ja'far and 'Uthman, 'O sons of my mother! You go ahead so that I see you have purified your goal for God and the Prophet (s), since you do not have many children.' Then Abd Allah went to battle and fought severely. Then he and Hani b. Thubayt Hadrami exchanged two hits of sword and Hani killed him. Then Ja'far b. 'Ali (a), may God's blessings be upon him, went ahead and Hani killed him too. When 'Uthman b. 'Ali filled the empty place of his brothers, Khuli b. Yazid shot an arrow toward him and dropped him down. Then, a man from Bani Darim attacked him and beheaded him.

The army of Ibn Sa'd stopped them. Among them, there was a man from Bani Darim tribe who told the army, "Woe be to you! Stop him from reaching Euphrates and do not let him reach the water. Imam al-Husayn (a) said, "O God! Let him die thirsty!" That Darami man became angry and shot an arrow towards Imam (a) which hit Imam (a) under his chin. Imam (a) took the arrow out and put his hand on the wound. When his hand became full of blood, let them spill and said, "O God! I complain to you about what they do about the son of the Prophet's (s) daughter." He (a) then came back while he (a) was very thirsty. The army besieged 'Abbas (a) and separated him from Imam al-Husayn (a). He (a) fought them until he was martyred. Zayd b. Warqa' Hanafi and Hakim b. Tufayl Sunbusi killed 'Abbas (a) after he (a) could move due to severity of his wounds.