Al-Abbas, Impressions on his Personality as stated by Imam Zain -Al-Bdieen and Imam Al-Sadiq
Abu-Fathal Al-Abbas known as the moon of the Hashimites for both his inner and outer beauty was an incredible historian figure. He was a man of honor and loyalty, a symbol of protection, and most importantly a brother whom never left the side of his elder sibling Husssain, under the scorching sun in the atrocious and traumatizing battle of Karbala.
It is of no surprise that Al-Abbas’s nephews, the imam’s of the holy household, had nothing but praise to their uncle. He was and continues to be a true example to what a human being should strive to become; a lesson could be derived from every living moment Al-Abbas spent on that battle field with the intention to protect and defend the holy and just religion of his grandfather, Prophet Muhammad ( Peace be upon him & his progeny )
The 4th Imam, Zain Al-Abdieen, was present during the battle of Karbala and witnessed Al-Abbas’s acts of loyalty and love towards his Father Imam Hussain. He oftenly spoke and praised his uncle Abbas, “ My God shower his mercy on Al-Abbas, my uncle as he has shown his ultimate altruism and sacrificed himself for his brother till his hands have been cut off and God, the Almighty has replaced them with two wings with which he can fly with the angels in the heavens. As he has done to Jaffar son of Abu Talib. There is such a high position to be conferred on him by God on the day of judgement that all martyrs wish to obtain likewise.”
In this passage Imam Zain Al-Abdieen highlighted the most pivotal and heartbreaking moment in the battle that occurred to Al-Abbas. The hands of Abbas were both cut off during the battle as he was trying to deliver water to Al-Hussain’s camp whom were deprived of it for 3 days. The martyrdom of Al-Abbas was a great loss to the holy household especially to his siblings, Zainab who saw him as a haven and protection from the cruel world and Hussain. Imam Hussain said a phrase upon the immediate death of Abbas which captures the magnitude of the loss “ And know my back has been broken.”
The 4th Imam, Zain Al-Abdieen, was present during the battle of Karbala and witnessed Al-Abbas’s acts of loyalty and love towards his Father Imam Hussain. He oftenly spoke and praised his uncle Abbas, “ My God shower his mercy on Al-Abbas, my uncle as he has shown his ultimate altruism and sacrificed himself for his brother till his hands have been cut off and God, the Almighty has replaced them with two wings with which he can fly with the angels in the heavens. As he has done to Jaffar son of Abu Talib. There is such a high position to be conferred on him by God on the day of judgement that all martyrs wish to obtain likewise.”
In this passage Imam Zain Al-Abdieen highlighted the most pivotal and heartbreaking moment in the battle that occurred to Al-Abbas. The hands of Abbas were both cut off during the battle as he was trying to deliver water to Al-Hussain’s camp whom were deprived of it for 3 days. The martyrdom of Al-Abbas was a great loss to the holy household especially to his siblings, Zainab who saw him as a haven and protection from the cruel world and Hussain. Imam Hussain said a phrase upon the immediate death of Abbas which captures the magnitude of the loss “ And know my back has been broken.”
The 6th Imam, Al-Sadiq, has not met Al-Abbas but through the knowledge that his been passed down by his father and grandfathers he was able to beautifully capture and describe the outstanding personality of Al-Abbas, “ My uncle Al-Abbas has got deep insight and strong will. He shared his brother, Al-Hussain, the holy struggle in his uprising, he preformed his best and passed away as a martyr.”
Al-Sadiq mentioned that his uncle Abbas was a man of deep insight, which is a quality that is rarely possessed by individuals. It is the quality can only be possessed by the pure of spirit, clear off heart, and motives driven by passion and righteousness. This trait in Abbas is one of the multiple reasons that lead to his support and attendance in the battle of Karbala alongside his brother Hussain.
Al-Abbas’s stance in the battle of Karbala is a primary reason to why his name and actions have been passed on for multiple centuries and will continue to do so. Al-Abbas is proof that one mustn’t be an Imam or a Prophet in order to have the strength and will power to stand for what’s righteous and just. He is the flickering light of hope to humanity, and a constant reminder to be good and do good whilst in this finite life.
Al-Sadiq mentioned that his uncle Abbas was a man of deep insight, which is a quality that is rarely possessed by individuals. It is the quality can only be possessed by the pure of spirit, clear off heart, and motives driven by passion and righteousness. This trait in Abbas is one of the multiple reasons that lead to his support and attendance in the battle of Karbala alongside his brother Hussain.
Al-Abbas’s stance in the battle of Karbala is a primary reason to why his name and actions have been passed on for multiple centuries and will continue to do so. Al-Abbas is proof that one mustn’t be an Imam or a Prophet in order to have the strength and will power to stand for what’s righteous and just. He is the flickering light of hope to humanity, and a constant reminder to be good and do good whilst in this finite life.
Sources:
- Book: Al-Abbas Bin Ali by Al-Sheikh Bar Sharif el-Qarashi
- Al-Khisal 68 Al-Hadith 101, Amali-el-Sadouq: Al-Hadith 731 Behar Al-Anwar:22: 274 Al-Hadith 21. Al-Awalim: 249
- Figure 1: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2F84%2F7b%2Fd0%2F847bd07b73cff9766c32b29042579114.png&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F513832638736538854%2F&tbnid=yVYK0xvUfQWkVM&vet=1&docid=I9nNcYkD4CKGiM&w=1440&h=2560&itg=1&hl=en-kw&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim
- Figure 2: https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/media/images/Certitude-Belief.original.jpg
- Figure 3: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/94/ba/cb/94bacb9df76ede1555f5f285e02b9e8f.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.pinterest.com/ashkahlalbait/abbas/&tbnid=hhfzY2TscphiAM&vet=1&docid=49bl_fVr-acL5M&w=1080&h=1350&itg=1&hl=en-kw&source=sh/x/im
