Abbas Alamdaram

4th of Shaban 1435 - the birth anniversary of Alamdar-e-Lashkar-e-Imam Hussain(as) - Hazrat Abbas(as) ibn-e-Imam Ali(as).

On this occasion of happiness in the house of Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) and his Ahl-e-Bait(as), I wish to extend my profound felicitations and greetings to the Imam-e-Zamana(as), the Ahl-e-Bait(as) and to all Momineen and Mominaat.

Birth and Childhood

Hazrat Abbas ibne Ali (as) possesses a great position in Islam. Born in the immaculate family of the Prophet Muhammad(sawaw), he was the half-brother of two Imams – Hasan(as) and Hussain(as).

Some years after the martyrdom of Hazrat Fatima Zahra(sa), Imam Ali(as) expressed his desire to his brother Aqeel ibn-e-Abi Talib(as) to marry a women of a brave and chivalrous tribe. Hazrat Aqeel was very knowledgeable in tribe genealogy and he immediately proposed the name of Hazrat Fatima binte Hazam bin Khalid and the marriage took place in 24 Hijrah. Hazrat Fatimah gave birth to Hazrat Abbas(as) on the 4th Shabaan, 26th Hijrah.

Imam Hussain(as) was very attached to Hazrat Abbas(as). When Hazrat Abbas(as) was born, Hazrat Ali(as) asked Imam Hussain(as) to recite the adhaan and the iqamah in the ears of the child. Just as his father had not opened eyes after birth until the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) arrived, Hazrat Abbas(as) also did not open his eyes until Imam Hussain(as) arrived. When he was in the arms of Imam Hussain(as), the infant smiled and raised his arms. There were tears in Imam Hussain’s(as) eyes. Was it because he knew that the child was trying to say: “O Maula I have come and will happily give these arms and my life for you and Islam.”

In early childhood Hazrat Abbas(as) would follow Imam Hussain(as) like his shadow. When Imam Hussain(as) was thirsty, Abbas(as) would rush to bring him water. When Imam Hussain(as) felt heat, Abbas(as) would fan him with the hem of his cloak.

Hazrat Abbas(as) at the battle of Siffeen

At the battle of Siffeen, Abbas(as) was very young - hardly eleven years old. Imam Hussain(as) was fighting in the battlefield. When Hazrat Abbas(as) saw an enemy soldier approaching Imam Hussain(as) from behind, he took a sword and rushed into the battle field and killed the enemy, at the same time crying out in a loud voice, “How can anyone dare attack my Maula while I am alive? ” He continued to fight maintaining his position behind Imam Hussain(as).

One day he appeared fully disguised, masked and armored, on the battlefield. When Ibn-e-Shasa, a brave and famous Syrian fighter saw this masked person, he asked one of his seven sons to slay him. Instead, the son was quickly put down. Similarly, the other six sons tried to fight this masked warrior, but they all met the same fate. Finally lbn-e-Shasa himself came forward and the manner in which he was also beaten, made all the other people stare in disbelief. They then thought this masked fighter to be Hazrat Ali(as), and no one dared to come forward to fight. But, when Hazrat Abbas(as) removed the mask, people were surprised to note that he was not Ali, but instead, Abbas, the inheritor of Hazrat Ali’s gallantry.

Muawiya saw this and asked, “Who is that boy?” When he was told he was Abbas ibne Ali, he said, “By God! No one can fight like that at that age except a son of Ali!”

His youth

Hazrat Abbas(as) grew up to be a tall and handsome man. He was so tall, that when he sat on a horse his feet touched the ground. He was so handsome that he was known as Qamar-e-Bani Hashim, the Moon of the family of Hashim.

Hazrat Abbas(as) was also a valiant warrior. It was said that Muawiya did not dare invade Madina because of five men who were with Imam Hussain(as) and could, together with their Imam, conquer a whole army. These were Muhammad Hanafia, a brother of Imam Hussain(as), Hazrat Muslim ibn-e-Aqeel(as), Abdullah Ibn-e-Jaffer(as), Hazrat Abbas(as) and Hazrat Ali ibn-al-Hussain(as), our fourth Imam, Zainul Abideen(as).

When Imam Hussain(as) decided to leave Madina in the month of Rajab 60 Hijrah, he did not encourage Muhammad Hanafia and Abdullah Ibn-e-Jaffer to accompany him. He wanted to make sure that no one at the time or in the future would suggest that Hussain(as) wanted to fight for the khilafat.

Just before Imam Hussain(as) left Madina, Ummul Baneen(as) summoned all her four sons and said to them, “My sons you must remember that while I love you, Imam Hussain(as) is your Master. If Imam(as) or his sisters or his children get injured or hurt while you are still alive, I will never forgive you.” There were tears in Hazrat Abbas’s(as) eyes as he promised his mother that he and his brothers would lay down their lives for Imam Hussain(as) and his children.

Titles of Hazrat Abbas(as)

1-Qamar-e-Banihashim (THE MOON OF BANIHASHIM'S PROGENY)
This was his most famous nickname. The reason behind that was his good looking face which was resembled to the moon.

2-Saqqa' (THE ONE WHO PROVIDES WATER)
This is another of his famous nickname. Since he was dealing with bringing water to Imam Hussein (A.S)'s camps and supplying Imam's thirsty children with water, he was given this nickname.

3-Hamel-ul-Lava' (THE ONE WHO CARRIES THE FLAGS)
This nickname was given to him because he was the one who carried the flag in Imam Hussein (A.S)'s troop.

4-Raees-e-Askar-al-Hussain (THE COMMANDER OF IMAM HUSSAIN(AS)'S TROOPS)
This nickname was given to him because he was the Commander of Imam Hussain(as)’s troops.

Iltimas-e-dua,
Syed-Rizwan Rizvi
Webmaster, Ziaraat.Com