Birthday of the Moon of the Hashemite Clan

Today the 4th of the month of Sha’ban is the day on which a brave, valourous, gentle, pious, loyal and faithful person was born in Medina in the year 26 AH corresponding to 647 AD.

He was destined to achieve immortal martyrdom in the prime of his manhood, while trying to fetch water for his thirsty brother, sisters, nieces and nephews, in the heat of a crucial battle between truth and falsehood. Although water couldn’t reach the thirsty encampment, so brilliantly did he carry out his duties as the standard-bearer of the epic of Ashura that his name has become a synonym for faith, manliness, and fealty to his brother, Imam Husain (AS).

 He is none other than Abu’l-Fazl al-Abbas (AS), at whose shrine in Karbala, pilgrims converge from all over world, addressing him as Bab al-Hawa’ej or the Gateway of Needs and seeking his intercession with God Almighty, while reciting the ziyarah or standard-form of salutation for him, part of which reads.

"I bear witness that most certainly you served the cause of Allah, and made utmost efforts to pursue its purpose. Allah, therefore, has included you among the martyrs and let your soul rest in peace with the souls of the fortunate; awarded you a spacious space in His Paradise, in the seventh Heaven; paid tribute to you by mention of your name in the highest circle; chosen you to move in the company of the Prophets, the Truthfuls, the Martyrs and the Pious, and those are the best companions. I bear witness that most certainly you did not lag behind, did not turn away the face; indeed, you were fully aware of the truth at the time of leaving this world, following in the footsteps of the Pious Infallibles and the Prophets…"

As is obvious by the wording of the passage that we recited to you, Hazrat Abbas (AS) enjoys a lofty position. Son of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn AbiTaleb (AS), his mother was Omm al-Baneen, a noble lady of the valiant al-Kilabiyyaclan, whom his father had married over a dozen years after the passing away of the Noblest Lady of all times, HazratFatemaaz-Zahra (SA), the Immaculate Daughter of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA).

Named Abbas, which is a synonym for a lion and indicative of his future valour, his birth had a purpose behind and was meant to serve as eternal lessons in faith, fealty, loyalty, chivalry, and self-sacrifice, for all mankind.

Although an age gap of over 20 years separated him from his brothers, the Prophet’s grandsons Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Husain (AS), he never addressed them as brothers, out of respect for their mother, the Chief of the Ladies of Paradise, HazratFatema Zahra (SA). It is said that he used to address Imam Hasan (AS) as "YaSeyyedi"or O my Lord, and address Imam Husain (AS) as "YaMowlai"or O my Master, since he was fully aware of their divinely-decreed positions as "Leaders of the Youths of Paradise".

He grew up into an exceptionally handsome youth of tall and imposing stature, winning acclaim from the people as “QamarBani Hashem” or Moon of the Hashemite Clan.

He was fourteen years old when his father, Imam Ali (AS), was martyred in the Grand Mosque of Kufa in the state of the Morning Prayer during the fasting month of Ramadhan. He now came under the protection of his eldest brother, Imam Hasan (AS), and was placed in charge of welfare projects for the people of Medina.

Ten years later in 50 AH, following the tragic martyrdom of Imam Hasan (AS) through a fatal dose of poison, he stood steadfast beside the Prophet’s younger grandson, Imam Husain (AS), who, in view of his abilities and prudence, entrusted to him the management of various affairs. During the next ten years he practically plated the role of a loyal lieutenant to Imam Husain (AS), reviving memories amongst the people of the role of Imam Ali (AS) to Prophet Mohammad (SAWA).  

In 61 AH, when Imam Husain (AS) was forced to leave Medina, Hazrat Abbas (AS) accompanied him, first to Mecca and then to Karbala in Iraq, the rendezvous of martyrs.

At the age of 35 years, he was in the prime of manhood, and so widespread was the reputation of his loyalty and valour that the enemies dare not harm Imam Husain (AS). In Karbala, the Omayyad enemy tried to lure him away from the Imam with offers of wealth and posts, which he spurned.

For several days on several occasions, he and his companions boldly pierced the ranks of the enemies to fetch water for the camp of the Imam. On the Day of Ashura, when the Godless Omayyads had completely cut off access to the River Euphrates by placing rows upon rows of soldiers on its banks, Hazrat Abbas (AS) yet again scattered the cowardly enemies. When he plunged his horse into the fresh flowing waters, he refused to drink a drop, since the Imam, the noble ladies and the children in the camp were thirsty.He filled the goatskin carrier with water and made a dash for the encampment through the palm groves, but alas was struck on his arm by a dastardly Omayyad hiding behind a tree.

Undaunted, Hazrat Abbas (AS) recited the following words:

“By Allah! Even if you sever my hand, I will continue to support my religion forever I will perennially protect the ever-truthful Imam and the grandson of the pure and trustworthy Prophet.”

Moments later, as he progressed towards the encampment, another cowardly Omayyad using a palm tree as cover, struck at his remaining arm and managed to sever it. The indomitable spirit of the now armless Abbas made him spur his horse towards the encampment, before his heart was broken when an arrow pierced the goatskin carrier spilling in torrents the water he was transporting for the Imam, the ladies and the children.

Next his eye was pierced with another arrow, while an assassin smote his helmet from behind, making him fall on the ground, but without the use of any hand to act as support when he came down in acute pain on the stony soil.

Imam Husain (AS) rushed towards his brother only to find the valiant and loyal Abbas about to depart from the mortal world with a smile on his injured lips. The Imam saying "O Abbas your death has broken my back", referred to him as"Bab al-Murad" or the Gateway of Boons for all those who would invoke his right while supplicating to the One and Only God.

No wonder, his nephew Imam Zainul-Abedin (AS) had saluted his uncle in the following words:

“May Allah shower His mercy on Abbas! Certainly, he sacrificed a lot and endured untold atrocities. He kept defending his brother (the Imam) with all his life till he lost both his hands. Instead of his lost hands, Allah the Almighty has granted him two wings in paradise by which he flies in the heavens along with the angels, just as He had granted Ja'faribn AbiTaleb (AS). Surely, Abbas (AS) enjoys such eminence and position in front of Allah that all the martyrs will be envious of him on the Day of Judgment. ”

Decades later, his great-grandnephew Imam Ja'farSadeq (AS) would laud him with the words:

“Our uncle, Abbas (AS), had complete insight. His belief was very firm and unflinching. He fought with my (great-grand) father, Imam Husain (AS)."

The Lord of the Age, Imam Mahdi (AS) – the Prophet's 12^th and Last Infallible Heir who will reappear in the end times rid the Planet of oppression by establishing the global government of peace, prosperity and justice – has saluted him in the famous “Ziyarat-e Nahiyya” with the following words:

"Peace upon Abu'l-Fazl al-Abbas, the son of the Commander of the Faithful, and Defender of his brother (i.e. Imam Husain) with his life and soul, who prepared for the fateful morning since the day before, and laid down his life for Husain, faithful unto death; and who strove to bring water for him and his children, but whose arms were both cut off. God curse his killers, Yazid bin ar-Raqad al-Juhani and Hakem bin Tufailat-Taie."

The Islamic Republic of Iran marks the birth anniversary of the Immortal Standard-Bearer of Karbala as “Rouz-e Janbaz” or those who risked their life in carrying out their duties, undaunted by the heavy odds against him.

AS/SS