(AhlulBayt News Agency) - It was
the fourth of Sha’ban in the year 26 AH. In the holy city of Medina, a
man came running to the Prophet’s Mosque. He stood for a moment at the
door looking among the worshipers for some particular person.
He
was excited and when he spotted the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law,
Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (PBUH), he rushed towards him breathlessly,
shouting I have good news for you.The man was none other than Qanbar the
faithful servant of the Imam.
He wiped the sweat off his
forehead and said: my master I am coming from your house now and God
Almighty has blessed with another son. I have come to give you this good
news and ask what should he be named. Happiness could be seen in the
Imam’s eyes. He smiled and said this child has a high status before God.
I will come home now. I will name this son Abbas like my Uncle. That
day was the fourth of Shaban.
Many experts in psychology believe
inheritance; education and the surrounding environment play important
roles in forming human beings’ personality. In this regard, Hazrat Abbas
grew up under special conditions.
He grew up in a house where
worldly ornaments were not important, but which was filled with the
light of God and love for humanity and its ethereal values. He grew up
among brothers as noble as the Prophet’s two grandson Imam Hassan and
Imam Hussein (pe ace be upon them). He grew up in a household on whom
the Prophet had asked God to bestow His blessings. This house was the
place of hope and refuge of the world.
It was the habit of Imam
Ali (PBUH) to cultivate and irrigate the palm groves and then endow them
to the needy. Abbas acquired these qualities from his father as well as
from his brothers Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein (peace be upon them),
the illustriou s sons of the Prophet’s impeccable daughter Hazrat
Fatemah (peace be upon her) who had long expired.
He soon adorned himself with the highest human characteristics. Hazrat Abbas’ life was filed with knowledge and love.
He
was wise and knowledgeable as well as tall, handsome and brave. Among
the Arabs it was a tradition to name beautiful children Qamar or moon.
And Hazrat Abbas acquired the epithet of Qamar-e Bani Hashem or the Moon
of the Bani Hashem Clan.He was also polite and patient and this was a
reminder of his father’s words that No heritage is worthier than
politeness.
Hazrat Abbas, who was brought up in such a congenial
atmosphere never sat down without permission in front of his brothers
Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein (peace be upon them).
He respected
the high status of his brothers as the heirs of his father and the
righteous successors of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of Allah be upon him
and his progeny). Soon his knowledge and wisdom reached a level in
which the scholars of his era become humble before him. Hazrat Abbas
since his youth showed signs of bravery and courage alongside his father
Imam Ali (PBUH).
During the Siffeen war against the rebel
governor of Syria Mua’wiyah ibn Abu Sufyan, when the enemies blocked
water to camp of the Muslims, Hazrat Abbas who was in his early teens
entered the battlefield with a veil on his face to hid his true
identity. Mua’wiyah ordered one of his powerful men Abu Shasa to
confront him.
The Syrian arrogantly said: People compare my
bravery to a thousand riders, now you want me to fight this young boy?
Abu Shasa sent his youngest son to confront him. But his son was soon
defeated and killed. Abu Shasa then sent his other son, but to his
surprise, he was also killed. Then Abu Shasa fuming with rage swallowed
his proud words and personally entered the battlefield seeking to avenge
the death in combat of his sons. But the boy was such valiant that he
defeated him and made swift work of th e infidel.
At this sight,
the Muslim army rejoiced and felt surprised at the bravery of the young
masked lad. Imam Ali (PBUH) called the youth and took the mask off his
face. Then everyone saw that the brave youth was no one but Hazrat
Abbas.
During the era of Imam Hassan (PBUH), Hazrat Abbas stood
steadfastly at his side despite the plots of the enemies to snatch away
the political leadership of the Ummah from the Prophet’s elder grandson.
Despite his courage, Hazrat Abbas always followed th e Imam and was
patient.
He retired with the Prophet’s Household to Medina from
Kufa in Iraq when the rebel Mua’wiya deceived the Iraqi people and
forced Imam Hassan (PBUH) to sign a peace treaty relinquishing the
caliphate. Ten years later when Imam Hassan (PBUH) was martyred through
poisoning, the divine right of imamate came to rest on the shoulders of
the Prophet’s younger grandson Imam Hussein (PBUH). Hazrat Abbas proved
loyal and true to the Imam as always.
He was a faithful and
trustworthy advisory. So devoted was Abbas that he never left the side
of his beloved brother Imam Hussein (PBUH). The height of the greatness
of the personality of Hazrat Abbas reached its peak in Karbala and the
heroic martyrdom. In chaotic conditions when the people were entangled
with worldly desires and succumbed to the offer of posts, he became the
Imam’s flag bearer and led his troops.
Guarding the Imam, protecting
the tents of the womenfolk of the Prophet’s household, caring for the
children and making a sacrifice to bring water to the thirsty camp of
Imam Hussein (PBUH) were among the most beautiful and apical
manifestations of his life in Karbala.
In reality in Karbala
Hazrat Abbas’ effort to satisfy God and carry out his duty, astonished
the world. In Karbala Yazid’s troops cut the water supply to the Imam’s
camp. When the young children could no longer tolerate thirst, Hazrat
Abbas volunteered to bring them water. But this was almost impossible.
With
his courage, he drove away hordes of enemies and reached the banks of
the River Euphrates. Although he was thirsty himself, he never drank a
drop of water. After filling the goatskin water-carrier, while he was
making his way towards the Imam’s camp , the cowardly enemy attacked him
from all sides. One of his hands was severed when he was struck from
behind.
He fought single-handedly with his left arm, which was
also severed by the Omayyud marauders. Nevertheless, he spurred his
horse towards the Imam’s camp hoping to take water to the thirsty
children. Alas, he was not destined to do so. The enemies burst upon him
like a pack of jackals and shot arrows in his eye and at his chest
piercing the goatskin water-carrier and making the water flow on the
ground.
Hazrat Abbas thus drank the cup of eternal martyrdom in
this valiant name and the memory of this great sacrifice will remain
eternal in history. In 10th Muharam even many non-Muslims bow at the
threshold of Hazrat Abbas in Karbala and beseech God Almighty through
him.
Imam Zain ol-Abedin says about his uncle Hazrat Abbas, My
uncle Abbas will have such a high status before God on the day of
resurrection that all the martyrs will envy him.
Titles of Hazrat Abbas (a.s.)
1-Qamar-e-Banihashem (The Moon Of Banihashem's Progeny)
This was his most famous nickname. The reason behind that was his good looking face which was resembled to the moon.
2-Saqqa' (The One Who Brings Water)
This
is his another famous nickname.Since he was dealing with bringing water
to Imam Hussein (A.S)'s camps and supplying Imam's thirsty children
with water, he was given this nickname.
3-Hamel-ul-Lava' (The One Who Carries the Flags)
This nick name was given to him because he was the one who carried the flag in Imam Hussein (A.S)'s troop.
4-Raees-e-Askar-al-Hussein (the Commander of Imam hussain(a.s.)'s troops)
This nickname was given to him because he was the commander of Imam hussain (as.)'s troops.
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source : ABNA24
Sunday
26 February 2023
5:32:19 AM
1349008
Hadrat Abul Fazl Abbas (A.S.), the brave and valiant son of Imam Ali (A.S.), the Shining and Radiant Moon of Bani Hashim and the Standard Bearer of Imam Husayn's army in the historical Battle of Karbala who sacrificed his life to safeguard Islam was born in the holy city of Madinah on the 4th day of the month of Shaban in the year 26 Hijrah. On the Auspicious and Solemn occasions of the Birthday Anniversary of ..