International Shia News Agency

4th of Shaban birthday of Al Abbas ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s)

SHAFAQNA – Abbas, my child, I know your unbounded love for Husain. Though you are too young to be told about it, when that day dawns, consider no sacrifice too great for Husain and his children.” – Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s)

 

Today, June 13th (Sha’aban 4th,1434 AH). We celebrate the birthday Hazarat Abbas ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s).  We congratulate the 12th Imam (ajtfs), and the followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s) on this auspicious day.

 

Zainabia Islamic Center will celebrate the birthdays of Imam Hussain (A.S.)

and other Masoomeens (A.S.), born during the month of Sha’aban tonight (June 13th , 2013). Program will start with Maghribain Prayers at 8:45 pm.
May Allah (s.w.t) hasten the return of Al Muntadar (the awaited), Al Mahdi (a.s).

 

About Al Abbas ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s):

Titles:

“Qamr Bani Hashim, As-Saqqa, Babul Hassan, Aba Fadhl, Abu Qurba, Alamdar, Babul Hawaij. 
Father:
Ali ibn Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (a.s)

Mother: Lady Fatima bint Hizam (s.a)

Birth Date: 4th Sha’aban 26AH (647 CE), in Medinatul Nabi (Medina)

Martyred On: 10th Muharram 61AH, in Kerbala, Iraq
Place of Burial: Kerbala, Iraq 
Spouse: Lubaba’h bint Ubaydillah
Children: ‘Ubaydullāhal-Fadhlal-Qāsim

Al Abbas Ibn Ali (AS) the third Imam.

Abbas Ibn Ali was the son of Ali Ibn Abu Talib and Fatima binte Hizam, commonly known as Ummul Baneen. Abbas is particularly revered by Shia Muslims for his loyalty to his half-brother and third Shia Imam, Hossein (P.B.U.H.) Ibn Ali (P.B.U.H.), his respect for the Ahlulbait, and his role in the battle of Karbala. Abbas was married to Lubaba binte Obaidullah Ibn Abbas Ibn Abdul Muttalib. He had three sons, and their names are Fazal Ibn Abbas, Qasim Ibn Abbas, and Obaidullah Ibn Abbas. Two of them were martyred during the Battle of Karbala. The family lineage of Abbas Ibn Ali was succeeded by Obaidullah Ibn Abbas. Obaidullah then had five sons. The names of Abbas Ibn Ali’s grandsons were Abdullah Ibn Obaidullah, Abbas Ibn Obaidullah, Hamzah Ibn Obaidullah, Abraham Ibn Obaidullah, and Fazal Ibn Obaidullah.

It has been recorded that that the Angel Gabriel informed the prophet Mohammad  (P.B.U.H.) what would happen to his grandson Hossein (P.B.U.H.) Ibn Ali at Karbala.[1] Muhammad, Fatima Zahra, and Ali were saddened by this, so Ali wished for a son to help Hossein (P.B.U.H.) Ibn Ali at Karbala. He asked his brother, Aqeel Ibn Abu Talib, to search for a wife from courageous descent. Aqeel pointed out Fatima Kelabiya better known know as Ummal Baneen, who was descended from the honored lineage of Hezam Ibn Khalid Ibn Rabi’e Ibn Amer Kalbi. [2] Ali Ibn Abu Talib did not marry Ummal Baneen (or any other woman) during the lifetime of Fatima Zahra. [3]

Birth & Early Life
Abbas Ibn Ali Ibn Abu Talib was born on Shaban 4, 26 after Hijra (A.H.). He was the son of Ali Ibn Abu Talib the fourth Caliph, and Fatima bint Hizam. Abbas had three brothers, Abdullah Ibn Ali, Ja’far Ibn Ali, and Usman Ibn Ali. Abbas lived 34 years. It is said that he did not open his eyes after he was born until his half-brother Hossein (P.B.U.H.) Ibn Ali took him in his arms. Abbas learned the art of war from his father Ali who was the most dangerous warrior of all times. [4]

Abbas never considered himself equal in rank or stature to his half-brother Hossein (P.B.U.H.). On the contrary, Abbas considered his half-brother Hossein (P.B.U.H.) to be his master. Abbas did not like anyone working for Hossein (P.B.U.H.) except himself. This devotion can be gauged by the following event: At the Mosque of Kufa, Ali Ibn Abu Talib (P.B.U.H.), Hossein (P.B.U.H.), Qanbar (a companion of Ali), and Abbas were sitting. Hossein (P.B.U.H.) asked Qanbar to bring water because he was thirsty. Abbas stopped him and said, “I will bring the water for my master myself”. Abbas was young at that time. [4] [5]

Battle of Siffin
Abbas’s debut as a soldier was in the battle of Siffin. In 657 CE, Abbas’s father Ali (P.B.U.H.)- defender of Islam and Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan, governor of Syria & enemy of Islam, were locked in a struggle for Islam. One of the main battles of this conflict was at Siffin – a place near the Euphrates River. [6]During the course of the battle, Abbas entered the battlefield wearing the clothes of his father, who was known to be a deadly skilled warrior. Abbas killed many soldiers on the other side with his lightning swordship. For this reason, Muawiya’s soldiers mistook him for Ali(P.B.U.H.) because of his similar deadly art of war. However, Ali (P.B.U.H.) himself soon appeared on the battlefield. Muawiya’s soldiers were astonished to see him, and were confused about who the other person was. Ali(P.B.U.H.) then introduced Abbas by saying, “He is Abbas, (The Moon of the Hashimi family ]])”. [4][5]

Battle of Karbala
Abbas showed his loyalty to Hossein (P.B.U.H.) at the Battle of Karbala. After succeeding father Muawiyah Ibn Abu Sufyan as Caliph, Yazid Ibn Muawiyah required Hossein (P.B.U.H.) to pledge allegiance to him. Hossein (P.B.U.H.) refused to do so. In 60 A.H. (680 CE), Hossein (P.B.U.H.) left Medina, with a small group of his companions and family, to travel to Kufa. The people of Kufa said that they would support Hossein (P.B.U.H.) if he claimed the Caliphate. On the way, Hossein (P.B.U.H.) and his group were intercepted. They were forced into a detour and arrived in Karbala on the 2nd of Muharram, 61 A.H. Hossein (P.B.U.H.)’s camp was surrounded and cut off from the Euphrates River. The camp ran out of water on the 7th of Muharram. [7]

Abbas promoted as Commander
On the 10th of Muharram, Abbas was ordered by Hossein (P.B.U.H.) to bring water from the Euphrates river for the small thirsty children. [8] Some of the Yazid’s soldiers came against Abbas on his way to river but were killed because of Abbas’s skill in swordship. But one of the enemy injured Abbas by hiding in the trees. Abbas lost both his arms in the war. He could not succeed bringing water for small thirsty children and died on his way to river. On the death of Abbas, Hossein (P.B.U.H.) was in tears forever. The small children never asked for water after the death of Abbas and remained thirsty and silent until they were killed or enslaved by the enemies of Islam. ( yazid and his cruel force ). Hossein (P.B.U.H.) declared him “Saqqa” (One who fetches water). [9] [10] [10]

 

Why Abbas (P.B.U.H.) is known as Ghazi?
Ghazi means soldier who returns successfully from the battle. Although Abbas was killed at Karbala, he is known as Ghazi because, when he carried out the first strike against Yazid’s army, his mission was to rescue the horse which was seized by Shimr during battle of Siffin. This horse belonged to his other half brother Hassan Ibn Ali (P.B.U.H.). Abbas retained control over the horse and presented it to Imam Hossein (P.B.U.H.). [1]

Shrine of Abbas
Shrine of Abbas is a soul-searching sight for the world. Emperors and kings of various dynasties have offered valuable gifts and gems to the shrine. It was designed by Persian and Central Asian architects. The brilliant splash of colors on the exterior and interior of the shrine are impressive. The central pear shaped dome is an ornately decorated structure. On its sides stand two tall minarets. The tomb is covered with pure gold and surrounded by a trellis of silver. Iranian carpets are rolled out on the floors. [19]

Horse of Abbas

Abbas was given a horse named “Auqab” (Eagle) .[20] This horse was used by the prophet  (P.B.U.H.)and  Imam Ali (P.B.U.H.). This horse was presented to the prophet  (P.B.U.H.) by the King of Yemen, Saif Ibn Zee Yazni, through Abdul Muttalib. The king considered the horse to be very important and its superiority over other horses was evident by the fact that its genealogical tree was also maintained. It was initially named as “Murtajis”. The name “Murtajis” comes from Arabic name “Rijis” which means thunder (lightning).The prophet  (P.B.U.H.) renamed it to “Auqab”. The prophet  (P.B.U.H.)  gave that horse to Imam Ali (P.B.U.H.) and later on Imam Ali (P.B.U.H.) gave it to Abbas. [20] [21]
References
____________

1 The Martydom of Imam Husain (RA). Retrieved on 2006-06-30. 
2 a b Lalljee, Yousuf N. (2003). Know Your Islam. New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, p.160. ISBN 0-940368-02-1. 
3 Lalljee, Yousuf N. (2003). Know Your Islam. New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, p.125. ISBN 0-940368-02-1. 
4 a b c d e Hazrat Abul Fazl Al Abbas. Retrieved on 2006-01-08. 
5 a b Lalljee, Yousuf N. (2003). Know Your Islam. New York: Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, p.161. ISBN 0-940368-02-1. 
6 Wikipedia: Battle of Siffin. Retrieved on 2006-01-08. 
7 Wikipedia: Battle of Kerbala. Retrieved on 2006-07-30. 
8 Hasan, Moulana Syed Najamul. Zikr-ul Abbas Chapter 32, p.174. 
9 Bastami, Historian. Tohfa-e-Hussainia Lang Arabic, p.78. 
10 a b Al-iza, Historian. Al-Mawaiz Al-Baqa Lang Arabic, p.197. 
11 a b Hasan, Moulana Syed Najamul. Zikr-ul Abbas Chapter 34, p.181. 
12 a b c The Great Sacrifice. Retrieved on 2006-07-30. 
13 Channel 4 – Kerbala. Retrieved on 2006-08-09. 
14 Najafi, Allama Muhammad Baqar. Dama-e-Sakaba Lang. Arabic, p.326. 
15 Zakir. Tears and Tributes, p.51-52. ASIN B000EEP7NC. 
16 Darbandi, Aqay-e. Israr-e-Shahadat Lang. Farsi, p.337. 
17 Kara?ravi?, Najmulh??asan (January 1, 1974). Biography of Hazrat Abbas. Peermahomed Ebrahim Trust. ASIN B0007AIWQW. 
18 Al-Abbas (PBUH). Retrieved on 2006-07-30. 
19 Muhammad, Yousaf (2001). Al-Abbas (AS) – Rajul Al-Aqidah Wal Jehad. Islamic Republic of Iran. 
20 a b Tehrani, Allama Ahhsan. Zindagi-e-Abbas Lang. Urdu, p.83. 
21 Pinault, David (February 3, 2001). Horse of Karbala: Muslim Devotional Life in India. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0-312-21637-8.

 

Reference: http://www.rafed.net/english/articles/seerah/16-abbas-ibn-ali.html

 

Leave a Comment