MUDRIKA

Mudrika was good-looking, high-ranking celebrity. He acted as the reference of the Arabs who used to visit him for learning from his knowledge and virtue. He also predicted the coming of Prophet Mohammad (s) through many speeches of wisdom that he used to deliver. History has recorded for him many maxims.

AN-NADHR

An-Nadhr is Koreish; hence, his descendants are called the Koreishites. He was also man of wisdom, knowledge, and chiefship.

FIHR

When Hassan ibn Abd-Kelal invaded the Kaaba ¹³ to take its stones for building a similar house in Himyar-Yemen, Fihr, who was monotheist, could overcome him in a battle and take him as prisoner. Consequently, the Arabs feared and respected him. He was also eloquent. Historians have recorded some of his maxims.

KAAB

Books of history have mentioned long speeches delivered by Kaab ibn Luway regarding the prediction of the coming of Prophet Mohammed (s) and the commandment to support him. He also composed poetic verses in this regard. ¹⁴
Because of his high honor and personality, his people put a new calendar beginning with the day of his death.

KELAB

Kelab was well known of his courage. He was light-forheaded because of the light of prophecy.

QUSSAY

Qussay was called chief of the Holy Precinct. He housed his people in Mecca so that the other tribes would fear them. He also constructed the Dar-un-Nidwa, in which people of Koreish used to meet for discussing their affairs. He also founded the custom of serving the pilgrims with food and gained the custody of the Holy House. Historians have recorded many of his words in fields of morals and virtue. One of his speeches proves that he warned his people against drinking wines.

ABD-MENAF

Abd-Menaf was such glorious and honorable personality that he was appointed as chief of his people. Because of his prettiness, he was called "Moon of al-Bat'haa." He was also well known of munificence and generosity.

HASHIM

Following the customs of his fathers, Hashim used to serve the pilgrims with food. His situation in the year of famine is very famous.¹⁵ He also enjoyed all virtues. His speeches are recorded in books of history.

ABD-UL-MUTTALIB

Abd-ul-Muttalib was called Shaibat-ul-Hamd -personality of praiseworthiness-, because people praised him so laudably for his remarkable situations of honoring, wisdom, and sagacity. To refer to his rank, it is sufficient to mention the following saying of Prophet Mohammad (s):
"O Ali, in the pre-Islamic era, Abd-ul-Muttalib passed five laws that Allah enacted in Islam. He forbade sons from marrying their fathers' women, and Allah revealed: "Do not marry, from now on, the ex-wives of your fathers.¹⁶"
As Abd-ul-Muttalib found a treasure, he gave its one-fifth as alms. Allah revealed: "Know that whatever property you may gain, one fifth belongs to Allah, the Messenger, the kindred, orphans, the needy and those who need money while on a journey."¹⁷
When he dug the Zamzam Spring, he called it 'the watering of the pilgrims'. Allah revealed: "Do you, because you served water to the pilgrims and constructed the Sacred Mosque, consider yourselves equal to those who have believed in Allah, the Day of Judgment, and have fought for the cause of Allah?"¹⁸ Abd-ul-Muttalib issued the law that one hundred camels should be paid as the blood money of murdering. Allah passed the same in Islam. For the Koreishites, they did not stop at a limited number of circumambulations around the Kaaba; hence, Abd-ul-Muttalib decided seven circulations for them. In Islam, Allah passed this law. O Ali, Abd-ul-Muttalib used to avoid dividing by casting superstitious and gambling arrows, worshipping the idols, and having the flesh of an animal that had been sacrificed on the stone blocks. He used to say: I follow the religion of my father Abraham the prophet (a). "¹⁹
Historians have recorded that Abd-ul-Muttalib was one of the prophets' successors and had full acquaintance with the Heavenly Books. From this cause, he foretold Abu-Talib, his son, about the prophecy of Mohammed (s). In this regard, Abu-Talib was related to have said: "My father had full knowledge of all the Heavenly Books. He once said: A prophet will be from my offspring. I wish I would catch up his time to believe in him. Hence, anyone of my sons who will catch up his time must believe in him.²⁰"

ABU-TALIB

Like his father, Abu-Talib was the chief of his people and had knowledge of the Heavenly Books. 'He kept the commandments of the prophets until he delivered them to Prophet Mohammed (s).'²¹
This great personality has become a matter of discussion among historians some of whom, unfortunately, have given credence to the lie that he had departed life before being Muslim-this fabrication was invented by the pro-Umayyads narrators for nothing more than his being the father of Ali the first enemy of the Umayyads. Hence, they -the Umayyads- and their tails wanted to convince people that Abu-Suffian -the mortal enemy of Islam and the father of Muawiya- died as Muslim while Abu-Talib was atheist. Allama al-Mejlisi said: "Unanimously, Shia believe that Abu-Talib had never worshipped an idol. They believe that he was one of the successors of Prophet Abraham (a)."
Through his poetic verses that are related by all historians, people of reason can clearly identify the reality of Abu-Talib, who was the custodian, guardian, and defender of Prophet Mohammad (s) until he, as well as the Hashemites, ²² was detained in a col to die there rejecting any submission to the enemies of Islam. ²³
Finally, let us refer to the following narration as quoted from Tarikh ut-Tabari; 2/214 and as-Seerat ul-Halabiyya; 1/306:
Abu-Talib, once, asked his son Ali: "What is this belief you are following?"
Ali answered: "Father, I have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and have given credence to him, kept to him, and followed him."
Abu-Talib commented: "Certainly, he calls you to nothing but the good. Hence, you must adhere to him."

ALI

The eloquent are too tongue-tied to describe or count the characteristics of Ali ibn Abi-Talib. It is, also, very difficult for any writer to refer to Imam Ali's unparalleled personality in any words.
First, Ali was the foremost to embrace Islam. He in fact had never embraced any belief other than Islam:
Prophet Mohammed (s) said: "Ali and I belong to the same tree, while people belong to different trees."²⁴
Since the earliest steps of his divine mission, Prophet Mohammed (s) appointed Ali as his representative, successor, and supporter:
Prophet Mohammed (s) said:
"This-Ali- is my brother, successor, and representative among you. You thus should listen to and obey him."²⁵
On the strokes of Ali's sword, the pillars of Islam have relied: Prophet Mohammed (s) said: "Ali's stroke on Amr ibn Abd-Wudd is equal to the worship of both mankind and jinn.²⁶"
He (s) also said before the conquest of Khaybar:
"I will hand the standard to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger and is loved by Allah and His Messenger. He will come back with conquest.²⁷"
Ali, finally, was the most knowledgeable, most sagacious, most pious, and most eloquent among all Muslims.
Because of the aforementioned golden series of fathers of al-Abbas, he could join glory to honor and decency. He therefore gained all the elements of nobility that resulted in the composition of his matchless personality.

UNCLES

Like fathers, uncles play a good role in the structure of personalities. According to the law of heredity, individuals may acquire some characteristics from their paternal uncles. The paternal uncles of , al-Abbas, were such unique personalities whose lives and situations have been matters of pride for humanity in general and Islam in particular.

HAMZA

Hamza won the badge of honor from his nephew, the great Prophet Mohammed (s) who named him, 'Asadulllah wa asadu Rasoulih -the lion of Allah and the lion of His Messenger-', for his unique bravery and courage. He defended Islam fearlessly until he was killed during the battle of Uhud. Hence, the Prophet (s) named him as 'chief of martyrs.' Moreover, many narrations confirm that Hamza had considerable knowledge and outstanding rank in the sight of God. Imam Ali, Imam al-Hasan, Imam al-Hussein, Imam Zayn ul-Abidin, and Imam as-Sadiq mentioned Hamza whenever they wanted to take pride in their lineage or whenever they wanted to refer to the foremost Muslims who defended Islam.

TALIB

Talib ibn Abi-Talib had to conceal his embracement of Islam because he lived in Mecca. During the battle of Badr, the Meccans obliged him, as well as others from the Heshemites, to participate with them. The Prophet (s) therefore declared: "There are some individuals who were coerced to participate in this battle against us; hence, you must avoid fighting them if you meet…" ²⁸

AQIL

Aqil was one of the branches of that immaculate tree. He embraced Islam from the beginning; therefore, the Prophet (s) had great love for him:

DESCENDANTS OF AQIL

The righteous progeny glorifies the ascendants. On that account, the descendants of Aqil were high examples of heroism and defense of their belief. Muslim ibn Aqil, for instance, was that glorious personality who fulfilled his mission so completely until he was martyred. The other sons of Aqil lost themselves for defending their leader, Imam al-Hussein, during the battle of at-Taff, and provided unprecedented examples of sacrifice for their belief. Moreover, among the descendants of Aqil, there have been numerous personalities of piety, knowledge, and writing. Their names are well known all over the Islamic world.

JAFAR

Jafar ibn Abi-Talib was a great personality. The Prophet (s) chose him for the commandment of his army at the campaign of Mu'ta. Jafar, however, was martyred during that campaign, and the Prophet (s) conferred upon him with the eternal name 'At-Tayyar,' when he said after that event during which both the hands of Jafar were severed:

UMM-UL-BANIN

Umm-ul-Banin is the glorious mother of al-Abbas. Her name is Fatima, daughter of Hizam. Historians have referred to the names of eleven mothers each of whom was known of glory, honor, and good reputation. Her father, too, was one of the most celebrated personalities of the Arabs, and was the chief of his people. Historians have also mentioned many names of this great lady's ascendants who were well known of horsemanship, heroism, and courage. ³³
In conclusion, Umm-ul-Banin belonged to one of the most celebrated families in fields of honor, openhandedness, nobility, courage, and bravery.

MARRIAGE

When Imam Ali lost his wife, Fatima the daughter of Prophet Mohammed (s), he summoned his brother Aqil who was a well-known genealogist to ask him to search for a lady being the descendant of heroes so that she would give birth of a courageous, immaculate hero whose mission would be supporting his brother in the field of Karbala. ³⁴
Without hesitation, Aqil advised his brother to propose to Umm-ul-Banin; from the tribe of Kelab, because her fathers and people had been the foremost among others in fields of heroism and courage. Agreeing to his advice, Imam Ali asked his brother, Aqil, to go to that lady's father and ask her hand for him.
As soon as Aqil mentioned the matter with him, Aamir -Umm-ul-Banin's father- welcomed and responded with pride.
Some historians ³⁵ have confirmed that Imam Ali married Umm-ul-Banin after the death of his first wife Fatima the Veracious (a). Others³⁶ have recorded that Imam Ali had married Imama, daughter of Zaynab daughter of the Prophet, before Umm-ul-Banin.

HER SITUATIONS

Lady Umm-ul-Banin took care of al-Hasan and al-Hussein so remarkably that she asked her husband not to call her with her name, Fatima, so that this name would not remind these two boys with their mother. They, however, found the extreme kindness and sympathy with this lady who could remedy a part of their great loss of their mother who left in their minds deep sadness. Emotionally, Umm-ul-Banin had great love for al-Hasan and al-Hussein because of their perfection and unique morality. She in fact loved them more than her own children. She also preferred them to her sons in care and responsibility. Except this great lady, history has never seen a fellow wife acting so sincerely with her stepsons. This is because this perfect lady believed that it was her religious duty to take care of the two Imams the love for whom is imposed by God and revealed in the Quran:
Say, "I do not ask you for any payment for my preaching to you except (your) love of (my near) relatives." ³⁷

IN THE SIGHT OF THE AHL-UL-BAYT

Umm-ul-Banin had full knowledge of the actual standings and heavenly ranks of the Ahl-ul-Bayt; therefore, she performed her duty towards them so perfectly. Historian have recorded that when she was carried to her husband's house, al-Hasan and al-Hussein were sick. As soon as she noticed so, she, willingly, went on caressing them, using the nicest language. Since that moment, she went on treating them so kindly. From this cause, she could occupy a great position in the sight of the Ahl-ul-Bayt who had great regard for her, especially for her unique situation of loyalty for Imam al-Hussein (s).
As soon as she was back home after the tragedy of Karbala, Zaynab, daughter of Imam Ali, visited Umm-ul-Banin for consoling her for the martyrdom of her four sons. Moreover, Zaynab used to visit her on the Eids. ³⁸
Umm-ul-Banin gave birth of four sons; al-Abbas, Abdullah, Jafar, and Uthman. After the death of Imam Ali, she did not marry again until she died.

IN THE SIGHT OF MUSLIMS

Like the Ahl-ul-Bayt, this lady occupies a great position in the sights of Muslims. Many believe that she has a great position in the sight of God Who will surely respond to any request that is presented through the intercession of her great position.
It is natural that such a great lady occupies a great position in the sight of God because she sacrificed her four sons for His sake.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Al-Abbas had fifteen brothers and eighteen sisters. Their father was the great Imam Ali who brought them up on uprightness and piety.

THE TWO IMAMS

In the first place we should refer to the two Imams al-Hasan and al-Hussein (a) from whom al-Abbas learnt the best lessons of morality and heroism. They are, as described by their grandfather Prophet Mohammed (s), "the chiefs of the youth of Paradise and the two Imams whether they choose peace or choose fighting." ³⁹ Their father took pride in them whenever he wanted to prove his precedence to the others. ⁴⁰ This is in fact enough for proving their supreme worth.
So, to live under the custody of such persons, after their father, is enough to achieve perfection of personality and to acquire the highest moralities. In addition to the divine knowledge and lore, al-Abbas came by innumerable virtues and good points because of his brotherhood to the two Imams al-Hasan and al-Hussein (a).

MOHAMMAD IBN AL-HANAFIYYA

Mohammad ibn al-Hanafiyya is another brother from whom al-Abbas learnt courage plus horsemanship and eloquence. During the battle of Siffin, Imam Ali regarded his son Mohammed as his hand. Hence, the son was fighting bravely before his father. ⁴¹

FULL BROTHERS

Abdullah, Jafar, Uthman, Abu-Bakr, and Mohammed al-Awsat-all these brothers were martyred during the battle of at-Taff before al-Abbas.⁴²

ZAYNAB