Al-'Abbas (a): Difference between revisions

'''ʿAbbās''' (Arabic: عباس)  (b. 26/647 - d. 61/681), known as '''ʾAbu al-Faḍl''' and '''Qamar Banī Hāshim''' (the moon of Banu Hashim), is the son of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and [[Umm al-Banin]]. He was the commander and standard-bearer of the caravan of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] during the [[event of 'Ashura']].

'Abbas (a) is considered by Shi'a among the children of Imams (a) holding the highest positions. Shi'a speak of his merits and mourn for him especially on the Day of [[Tasu'a]] (9th of Muharram).

He (a) is considered the exemplar of dignity, bravery, generosity and following the infallible Imam (a). In [[Karbala]], he (a) was the standard-bearer and water-supplier of the army of his brother, Husayn b. 'Ali (a) and thus he (a) is also known among Shi'a as Saqqa [the water-supplier] of the plain of Karbala.

According to reports, after the caravan of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] faced with the problem of the shortage of water, 'Abbas (a) once on the 7th of Muharram succeeded to bring water for the family and companions of Imam al-Husayn (a). On the Day of 'Ashura', he (a) once again went towards Euphrates to bring water; but on his return, they shot his leather bottle, cut his hands and martyred him.

The father of 'Abbas (a) was the first Imam of Shi'a, Imam 'Ali (a) and his mother was Fatima bt. Hizam whom Imam 'Ali (a) married years after the martyrdom of [[Lady Fatima al-Zahra (a)]] and she was then known as [[Umm al-Banin]].

Abu al-Fadl is the most famous kunya of 'Abbas (a). They say that the cause of attributing this kunya to 'Abbas (a) was his great moral virtues and merits. Abu al-Qasim is another kunya of 'Abbas (a) which is adopted from the [[Ziyara al-Arba'in]] where [[Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari]] addresses him, "Peace be upon you, O Abu al-Qasim; Peace be with you O 'Abbas b. 'Ali (a)".

'Abbas (a) was born on 4th of Sha'ban 26/647 in [[Medina]] and was martyred in the [[event of 'Ashura']] on 10th of Muharram 61/680 in [[Karbala]].