BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE
Al-Abbas, was the first child of Umm-ul-Banin. With his birth, Medina shone and the whole world glittered. Waves of pleasures flowed in the family of Ali (a), for the birth of their magnificent moon that would light this world with his merits, and would add immortal glory to the numerous glories of the Hashemites.
As soon as Imam Ali (a) was given the good news of the birth of this blessed child, he hurried to take him, kiss him frequently, and hold the Shariite ceremonies of newborns. The Imam (a) recited the azan 44 in his newborn's right ear and recited the iqama 45 in the left. Hence, the first voice that penetrated this great newborn's hearing was his father's, shouting:
Allahu Akbar -Allah is the Greatest…
La ilaha illa (a)llah -There is no god but Allah.
These great words, which are the message of all prophets and the melody of all the God-fearing, found a ground in the inner self of al-Abbas. They, later on, became the most significant elements of his personality. In his future, he would adopt the calling to the true application of these words for which he would lose all his limbs.
On the seventh day of birth, Imam Ali (a) shaved the newborn's hair and gave golden and silver alms as weighty as the cut hair. As he had done to al-Hasan and al-Hussein, Imam Ali (a) slaughtered a ram as offering to God on behalf of his baby. These practices are adopted from the Prophet (s) whose words, practices, and confirmations are regarded as authoritative ground, altogether with the holy Koran, for Muslims.
YEAR OF BIRTH
Historians 46 have confirmed that al-Abbas was born on the fourth of Shabaan, AH 26.
NAME
After holding the Islamic ceremonies of newborns for Imam Ali's new baby, Lady Zaynab (a) turned her face towards her father and asked, "Father, have you chosen a name and a nickname for this new baby?"
Her father answered, "Yes, daughter, I have."
"What are they, father?" she asked eagerly.
The father, as he perceived that this baby would be one of the heroes of Islam and would be frowning in the faces of evils and the wrongdoers, said: "I name him 'al-Abbas (the frowning), and nickname him 'Abu'l-Fadhl (father of virtue)."47
Lady Zaynab however loved this baby very much and could not depart him for a single moment. She then told her father about the strange feelings that she had for this child…
AL-ABBAS IN ARABIC
Referring to the linguistic meaning of the Arabic al-Abbas, Ibn-Manzhour, 48 in his al-Ayn, writes down:
(Al-Abbas: the lion that other lions fear and escape.)49
In Muntaha al-Irab, the following is recorded:
(Al-Abbas: this name is called on the courageous, the fearless, the strong, and the attacker. It is one of the names of the
lion. Describing al-Abbas in the battlefields, many historians have likened him to the angry lion.) 50
Describing al-Abbas ibn Ali, at-Turaihi, in his al-Muntakhab, says:
(Al-Abbas ibn Ali looked like an unshakable mountain. His heart was as same as a mound because he was such a unique horseman and hero. In battlefields, he was fearless.)
HIS MOTHER'S VERSES
Out of her great love for her son, Umm-ul-Banin did her best to protect him from any evil, including the evils of the envious. Hence, she composed the following poetic verses:
I seek the guard of the One (God) for him
From the eye of every envious
Including the risings and the sitters
The Muslims and the unbelievers
The comers and the goers
And sons and fathers.51
NICKNAMES
Al-Abbas was called Abu'l-Fadhl (father -or owner- of virtue). Some mentioned that he had a son called al-Fadhl. 52 As a matter of fact, this name represents his personality completely, because he was the owner, leader, and source of virtue. In his life, he was so openhanded-he used to distribute his virtue and charity on everyone who directed to him. After martyrdom, he is the shelter and refuge of everyone who seeks his help. Most surely, God will relieve him who directs to Him and implores to Him by using Abu'l-Fadhl as his means and interceder. Because of its commonness, this fact is undeniable.
Al-Abbas was also called Abu-Qirba (the owner of the skin of water) because he carried water to the harem of Imam al-Hussein (a) during the battle of at-Taff.
He was also called Abu'l-Qasim. This name, however, is not common among historians some of whom have mentioned that al-Abbas had a son called al-Qasim and was martyred during the battle of at-Taff. Jabir al-Ansari addressed to al-Abbas during the Ziyara of al-Arbaeen: 53
"Salaam be upon you, Abu'l-Qasim. Salaam be upon you, al-Abbas ibn Ali."
Undoubtedly, Jabir was that great personality who spent much of his time in the house of prophecy and Imamate; therefore, he was more knowledgeable than others in the secrets, affairs, and news of this holy house.54
PREDICTIONS
It is narrated that, once, Imam Ali (a) seated his baby al-Abbas on his knees, lifted his (the baby's) hands, kissed them, and wept. Watching this situation, the mother was astonished; hence, Imam Ali (a) foretold her about the future of her baby and what would happen to his hands. She, as well as the others, wept heavily. After that, the Imam told her about her baby's great position with God, and this relieved her.55
EARLY LIFE
Al-Abbas was nursed at the hands of a faithful, faithful mother who nurtured him on faith, loyalty, knowledge, devoutness, and high principles. His father, too, was that great personality whom is described as a copy of the Prophet (s), the inheritor of the prophets' knowledge, and the hero of all combats.
Under the custody of these parents, al-Abbas was brought up. No wonder then if he possessed such personality and offered such big sacrifices for sake of his religion and principles.
Al-Abbas adhered to his father since he was in Medina, and when he moved to Iraq and resided in Kufa, al-Abbas was also under his thoughtful care and wise education. By heredity, education, and environment, al-Abbas acquired all virtues, high moral standards, knowledge, and conversance.
After his father's demise, al-Abbas adhered closely to his two brothers; al-Hasan and al-Hussein (a). He returned with them to Medina and learnt from them the religious knowledge and fundamentals in addition to the nobilities of character.
When Imam al-Hasan (a) was poisoned to death, al-Abbas adhered to his brother Imam al-Hussein and his nephew Imam Ali Zayn ul-Abidin (a). He kept himself with his brother in Medina, Mecca, and Iraq where he protected him as well as his harem until he lost his life for this sake.
Thus, unlike the other sons of Imam Ali (a), al-Abbas had the characteristic of full adherence to his father, two brothers, and nephew. From that reason, he was a true copy of the Imams in knowledge and morality.
EPITHETS
Epithet is a word or phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned.56 Epithets, then, show one's mental characteristics, whether good or bad.
To al-Abbas a number of lofty epithets expressing his kind mentality and high moral standards were addressed:
BAB UL-HUSSEIN
Like his father who was the door to the Prophet (s), al-Abbas is the actual and spiritual door to Imam al-Hussein (a). Because of the high moral standards and great faithfulness of al-Abbas, Imam al-Hussein used to choose him for every mission and depend upon him in every difficult situation. Likewise, al-Abbas dedicated himself to being at the disposal of his brother. He was the protector and defender of the Prophet's household.
It is related that al-Abbas used to call his brother by 'Sir.' Only on one day and in one situation did al-Abbas call his brother by 'brother.' That was on the day of Ashura when he fell down from his horse after his two hands had been severed and he had been stricken on the head. In such an hour, a man longs for seeing
the ones he loves for the last time. Only then he shouted as aloud as possible, 'O brother, reach your brother!'
As soon as the Imam heard that voice, he hurried towards its source. He rode off, put his brother's head in his lap, began to wipe out blood and dust from the face, and asked about his pains. Al-Abbas opened his sights in his brother's face, looked at him for the last time, and bid him farewell with a smile expressing all meanings of sincerity and loyalty.
As an answer, Imam al-Hussein (a) replied his brother's farewell not with words, but with tears that dropped on the face of al-Abbas while he was in his last sparks of life. Thus, al-Abbas emitted his last breaths while he was in the lap of his brother and has become the door to him.
Hence, it is recommended for the pilgrims of the tomb of Imam al-Hussein (a) to begin first with visiting the tomb of al-Abbas. This is one of the confirmations of al-Abbas's being the door to his brother; chief of the martyrs.
The door intended here is the mental and spiritual. Al-Abbas, hence, is the spiritual door to Imam al-Hussein, and this meaning is very far from the familiar meaning of portership or secretariat. Al-Abbas is too far above such meanings and Imam al-Hussein (a) is, too, far above taking doorkeepers or secretaries since he is beyond all material limits.
QAMAR BANI HASHIM
Al-Abbas was so bright-faced and handsome. Hence, he was called 'Qamar Bani Hashim -Moon of the Hashemites.' He was also the moon of his family and the moon of Islam because he paved the path of martyrdom with light and shone upon the lives of Muslims.
He was so bright-faced that the light of his countenance lit every darkness and everybody admired his handsomeness. When it happened that al-Abbas was accompanied by his nephew Ali al-Akbar who is known of his similarity to the Prophet physically and morally, people of Medina used to stop in lines watching their bright-facedness. 57
AS-SAQQAA
During the battle of at-Taff and the few days preceding, Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad; the governor of Kufa, imposed a blockade on the sources of water so as to prevent Imam al-Hussein (a), his household, and army from having water. , al-Abbas, undertook the mission of fetching water to the camp and harem of his brother. He pushed himself among the large gatherings of that army and could reach the River Euphrates several times. On that account, he had the epithet 'as-Saqqaa -the provider of water.'
AL-ABBAS AND WATERING
From his forefathers, al-Abbas inherited the mission of serving water. Other than the other Koreishite clans, the Hashemites exclusively undertook the mission of serving water for the unparalleled qualities of generosity, munificence, and honor that they enjoyed.
Historians have recorded that Qussay ibn Kelab was the foremost to serve water to the pilgrims of the Sacred House of God in Mecca. After him, his son Abd-Menaf inherited this mission and left it to his son Hashim who, too, left it to his son Abd-ul-Muttalib. The latter undertook this mission so perfectly that God conferred upon him with the bliss of the Well Zamzam. After Abd-ul-Muttalib, Abu-Talib undertook this mission then handed it over to his brother al-Abbas ibn Abd-ul-Muttalib.
On the day of the conquest of Mecca, al-Abbas offered this mission to the Prophet (s) who gave it back to him.
Furthermore, history is full of narrations mentioning that the Prophet (s) served water to his companions in many occasions before and after prophesy.
Imam Ali Amir ul-Muminin, also, served the Muslim army with water at that night before the day of the Battle of Badr. On the day of the Hudaibiya Treaty, Imam Ali served the Prophet and Muslims with water.
When Uthman ibn Affan was blockaded at his house, Imam Ali ordered his sons to send him water.
Finally, during the battle of Siffin Imam Ali allowed the other party to drink from the water which was under his control although Muawiya prevented Imam Ali's army from reaching the river when he, first, had controlled it.
Like their father, Imams al-Hasan and al-Hussein supplicated to God for rain for people of Kufa when they were afflicted by draught. Because of the Imams' supplication, the city of Kufa was watered with heavy rain that regained life to it.
After all, history have not forgotten the situation when Imam al-Hussein, after he had left Medina and Mecca and directed towards Kufa, served water to people of Iraq:
At the last hours of that night, Imam al-Hussein ordered his servants to fetch water as much as possible. They did although they did not know the reason. In their way, the caravan of the Imam met the army headed by al-Hurr ibn Yazid and they were intolerably thirsty under the heat of that sun and the iron of their military uniform. Only then did the servants of Imam al-Hussein know the reason why their master had asked them to take water as much as possible. Then, the Imam (a) ordered, "Serve them with water and give their horses some."
Copying his fathers and two brothers, al-Abbas ibn Ali assumed to himself the mission of serving water and he was completely worthy of it. On every occasion and every opportunity he could seize, al-Abbas served the others with water. On the day of Ashura, more than ever, he also undertook this mission in many situations.
On the seventh of Muharram that year, Omar ibn Saad banned the army, household, harem, and children of Imam al-Hussein from reaching the river or taking a single drop of water. This blockade continued to the tenth of Muharram. This occurred in an area in the middle of Iraq which is known of its dry weather, and it was Summer. Besides, all the conditions of that situation were arising heat: heat of war, heat of swords and spears, and heat of breaths.
To fetch water in such a situation is really a heroic deed that leaves a great effect on hearts. Hence, Abu'l-Fadhl al-Abbas won
this location not only in the hearts of people but also in the sight of God Who conferred upon him with innumerable merits and excellences. Al-Abbas however carried out the mission so perfectly and appreciatively. He fetched water to the camp of Imam al-Hussein three times. The first time was on the seventh of Muharram, as we have already mentioned. The second time was on the ninth of Muharram: 58
It was not a long distance between the camp of Imam al-Hussein and the River Euphrates when Shemr ibn Thi'l-Jawshan shouted at the camp of Imam al-Hussein: "You can see this water flow like reptiles.
We will never let you have a single drop from it until you join Hell."
Just then al-Abbas turned his face towards his brother and asked, "We are the right party, are we not?"
"Yes, by God, we are," answered Imam al-Hussein (a).
From this answer al-Abbas understood that his brother would permit him to fetch water for those moaning thirsty harem and children. He therefore attacked the troops who were guarding the riverbank and could force them to leave their positions. Thus, Imam al-Hussein and his companions could reach the river easily and supply themselves with water.
That was the second time of al-Abbas's watering. The third time was on the tenth of Muharram:
When Imam al-Hussein's camp lost many of the individuals and seemed to be losing the battle, the Imam shouted, "Is there not any helper who may help us? Is there not any one who may guard the harem of Allah's Messenger?"
Hearing these words from his brother, al-Abbas approached to his brother, kissed him on the face, and asked for permission for fighting. The Imam did not permit him, but he ordered him to fetch some water for the harem and children.
Carrying out his brother's orders, al-Abbas carried a skin of water and attacked the troops on the riverside. He could force them to leave their positions… etc. 59
In some historical references 60 it is mentioned that al-Abbas was conferred with this great epithet of 'as-Saqqaa' after he had
