Description of the valour of Hazrat Abbas(a.s)

It should be noted that valour is a spiritual attribute and can be perceived by the intelligence and not through observation. It cannot be understood by itself but can be comprehended by beholding its influences. If one desires to know whether Zaid is a valorous man, then one should see him at the time when he is surrounded from all sides by the valorous, while death has shortened his time and he has fallen in the heat of the battle. Then if he turns restless, is frightful and trembles, and he flees and finds relief, and takes upon himself the disgrace of baseness and wears the armour of disgrace of flight facing the tail of the sword, then know, that he is far away from valour. But if he attacks forthwith and considers the voice of the (striking of the) sword to be that of a pleasant flute, and he hastens into the ranks of the combat as if he proceeds amidst pleasures, and enters the waves of dread with a relaxed heart and considers the embracing of the swords to be a felicity and striking with the points of lances to be a profitable good-tidings. "He acclaims the lances with his neck as if it is an aloes wood of a sweet basil, while the sound of the (striking of the) sword near him is similar to the singing voice of women who sing for him". Then know that it is he who holds the reins of valour in his hands, and he wears valour that is the favourite of Allah. Then know as to what we have said regarding the combat of the companions of Imam Husain (a.s) and that of his family, as we have quoted, then one would conclude that all of them possessed the highest status of valour and the lofty position of vigor except that Abbas b. Ali (a.s) had the abundant share amongst them and a lofty and excessive position while all of them were the pickers of his harvest. He possessed a steadfast faith, profound foresight, and holds such a position near Allah that all the martyrs will envy him on the day of Qiyamah. And why would not this be, when his father was none other than the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali (a.s). Mas'oodi relates in Murujuz Zahab regarding the battle of Jamal, that the enemies attacked the right and left rank of Imam Ali (a.s) and pushed them back. One of the sons of Aqeel came to Imam Ali (a.s) while he had laid his head upon the cover of the saddle and was dozing off. He said, "O dear uncle! Do you see where our right and left ranks are, while you sleep?" Imam (a.s) replied, "O nephew! Remain silent! Your uncle has a destined day (of death) that cannot be avoided. By Allah! Your uncle does not fear whether he hastens towards death or death hastens towards him". Then he commanded his son Mohammad bin Hanafiyah, who was his standard-bearer in the battle, to attack the Basran army. Mohammad showed slackness for he was facing a group of archers, he waited for them to exhaust their arrows. Imam Ali (a.s) approached him and asked,"Why did you not

attack?" He replied, "There was no other way except proceeding while facing the arrows and lances, then I waited for them to exhaust their arrows so that I may then attack them". Imam replied, "Then proceed in the midst of the arrows, for death is your armour". Hearing this Mohammad attacked and was left in the midst of the points of the lances and the shooting arrows. Imam Ali (a.s) came to him, and striking at him with the hilt of his sword, said, "The vein of your mother has desisted you". Then he took away the standard from him and attacked, while others attacked alongwith him, and the Basran army seemed similar to ashes that were blown away by the wind. The above-referred Mohammad bin Hanafiyah is the son of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali (a.s). Thus Zuhri says that he was the most wise and valorous among men. While Jahiz says regarding him, that all unanimously agree that he was unparalleled and a true man in his age. He excelled all in perfection and excellence, while his valour is proved from that which the historians have quoted regarding the battle of Siffeen. And it is enough (proof) that he was the standard-bearer of Imam Ali (a.s). And inspite of this he showed slackness towards the archers (in the above incident) so that they would exhaust their arrows, but may my parents be ransom upon Abbas (a.s), the standard-bearer of his brother Imam Husain (a.s), the commander of his army, who advanced into the ranks of four thousand men employed to watch upon the Euphrates. And he stood firm like a mountain facing their archers he did not tremble nor did he fear, rather he said, "I do not fear death even if it comes upon me". As is related earlier that he (Hazrat Abbas) rescued some of the companions of Imam Husain (a.s) when they were surrounded from all sides by the enemies. Then know that he acted as a shield for his brother Imam Husain (a.s). May my parents be your ransom O Abal Fazl! Here the author quotes some couplets regarding the valour of Hazrat Abbas (a.s).[1] [1] Hazrat Abbas (a.s), the son of Imam Ali (a.s) through his marriage with Ummul Baneen Fatemah al Kilabiyah was born on 4th Sha'ban 26 A.H. Since early childhood he was devoted to his respected father Imam Ali (a.s) and elder brothers Imam Hasan (a.s) and Imam Husain (a.s). He looked upon Imamayn Hasanayn (a.s) as his masters rather than his elder brothers and considered himself as their wretched slave, as instructed by his mother, and was ever prepared to sacrifice his entirety for them. He, as well as his real brothers, thus accompanied Imam Husain (a.s) to Karbala and remained attached to him until their martyrdom. Abbas could easily have accepted the proposal of security brought to him by Shimr, the accursed, and could thus have saved himself and

295   lead a lavish life thereafter, but he refused to succumb to treachery and hypocrisy, and rather preferred to be martyred while striving in the path of Islam and the truth. He is often looked upon as only a valorous and dauntless fighter, while the other prominent aspect of his life is often neglected which demonstrates his excellent conduct, unfaltering faith, absolute submission (to Allah and His Hujjat), unwavering forbearance, abiding piety, intense virtue, unparalleled wisdom, while in reality he combined in himself all the qualities of a perfect 'Slave of Allah'. His outstanding status can be validated from the traditions of Aimmah (a.s) in his praise. He has been bestowed with numerous titles, which again portray his eminence, viz. Afzalush Shuhada, the Most Excellent among the Martyrs; Bab-al-Hawaej, the Door of (the fulfillment of) desires; Abdus Saleh, the Virtuous Slave (of Allah); Qamare Bani Hashim, the Moon of the Hashimites; Abul Qirbah, the father of the water skin; Al Saqqa, the water fetcher, Sahibe Liwa'il Husain, the Standard-bearer of Husain (a.s) etc., while his Kuniyah (agnomen) is Abul Qasim and Abul Fazl. He married Lubabah, the daughter of Ubaydullah bin Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib. The names of his children are quoted as Ubaydullah, Fazl, Hasan, Qasim, and a daughter, while it is related that two of his sons, viz. Fazl and Qasim were martyred in Karbala. Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s), in his salutations, remembers Abbas (a.s) in the following words: Peace be upon you O the Virtuous Slave (of Allah), who served Allah and his Prophet (s.a.w.s.), and the Commander of the faithful (a.s), and Hasan (a.s) and Husain (a.s), may Allah's blessings be upon them all and His benedictions. Peace be upon you and Allah's Mercy and His blessings, and his forgiveness, and His Paradise upon your (blessed) spirit and (sacred) body. I bear witness, as also Allah, that you tread a path similar to the people of Badr and those striving in the way of Allah, as also the devout ones who struggle against His enemies, who strive to assist His friends, and defend His beloved ones. Thus may Allah reward you, (with) an excellent reward, abundant reward, prudent reward, a reward similar to (the one bestowed by Him upon) those who fulfilled their allegiance to Him, and accepted His call, and served those Authorised by Him". Numerous books, dealing with his life and merits, have been authored by the Shi'ah scholars, for further study refer to: Al Abbas by Sayyed Abdul Razaq al Muqarram, A'alamun Nas fi Fazaelil Abbas by Sayyed Sa'eed Behbahani, Al Batalul Alqama by Shaikh Abdul Wahid al Muzaffar, Khasaesul Abbasiyah by Shaikh Mohammad Ibraheem Karbasi, Maqtalul Abbas by Sayyed Mahdi Tabatabai Yazdi, Tareekhe Zindaganiye Qamare Bani Hashim by Husain Imadzadeh etc. Thus he lived a fruitful life and died a felicitous death. Hazrat Abbas (a.s) lies buried in a Magnificent Mausoleum at Karbala, Iraq, facing the Mausoleum of Imam Husain (a.s), perhaps yet shielding his Master. His Mausoleum is an asylum for those seeking fulfillment of their desires from Allah on his behalf, and a refuge for every destitute, oppressed and downtrodden. May our lives be your ransom O Abbas!