Al-'Abbas (a): Difference between revisions

'Abbas (a) is considered as holding the one of the highest positions among the children of Imam Ali (a) among the Shi'a. Shi'a scholars 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, and generosity 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 the Shi'a as the Saqqa [the water-supplier] of the plain of Karbala.

According to reports, after the caravan of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] was faced with a shortage of water on the 7th of Muharram, 'Abbas (a) succeeded to bring water for the family and companions of Imam al-Husayn (a). On the Day of 'Ashura', he (a) once again went toward the 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, known as [[Umm al-Banin]], whom Imam 'Ali (a) married years after the martyrdom of [[Lady Fatima al-Zahra (a)]].  

Abu al-Fadl is the most famous kunya of 'Abbas (a). Reports say this kunya was attributed to 'Abbas (a) because of 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 4he th of Sha'ban 26/647 in [[Medina]] and was martyred in the [[event of 'Ashura']] on 1the 0th of Muharram 61/680 in [[Karbala]].

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)]]."

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 37/657 and there are reports about his bravery in the battle.