Abul Fathel Alabbas

Anniversary of Hazrat
Abul-Fazl Abbas (PBUH)

The Flag-Bearer of Faith and Loyalty

It was the fourth of Shaban 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
worshippers for some particular person. He was excited and when he spotted the
Prophets 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 Imams 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 Prophets two grandson Imam
Hassan and Imam Hussein (peace 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
illustrious sons of the Prophets 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 fathers 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 Muawiyah 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. Muawiyah 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 the 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
Prophets elder grandson. Despite his courage, Hazrat Abbas always followed the Imam
and was patient. He retired with the Prophets 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 Prophets younger grandson Imam Hussein (PBUH). Hazrat Abbas proved loyal and
true to the Imam as always. He was a faithful and trustworthy advisor. 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 Imams flag bearer and led his
troops.

Guarding the Imam, protecting the tents of the womenfolk of the Prophets 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 epical 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 Yazids troops cut the water supply to the Imams 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. To this day 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.