Al-Abbas ibn Ali (العباس بن علي‎, romanized: al-‘Abbās ibn ‘Alī), also known as Qamar Banī Hāshim (Arabic: قمر بني هاشم) (the moon of Banu Hashim) (born 4th Sha‘bān 26 AH – 10 Muharram 61 AH; approximately May 15, 647 – October 10, 680), was a son of Imam Ali, the first Imam of Shia Muslims and the fourth Caliph of Sunni Muslims, and Fatima bint Hizam, commonly known as Mother of the Sons (Arabic: أم البنين‎).

Abbas, also known as Abbas Alamdar, is highly revered by Shia Muslims and Sunni Muslims for his loyalty to his half-brother Husain, his respect for the Household of Muhammad, and his role in the Battle of Karbala. Abbas is buried in the Shrine of Abbas in Karbala, Karbala Governorate, Iraq, where he was martyred during the Battle of Karbala on the day of Ashura.

Descendants of Aqil

The righteous progeny glorifies the ascendants. On that account, the descendants of Aqil were high examples of heroism and defense of their belief. Muslim ibn Aqil, for instance, was that glorious personality who fulfilled his mission so completely until he was martyred. The other sons of Aqil lost themselves for defending their leader, Imam al-Hussein, during the battle of at-Taff, and provided unprecedented examples of sacrifice for their belief. Moreover, among the descendants of Aqil, there have been numerous personalities of piety, knowledge, and writing. Their names are well known all over the Islamic world.

JAFAR

Jafar ibn Abi-Talib was a great personality. The Prophet (s) chose him for the commandment of his army at the campaign of Mu'ta. Jafar, however, was martyred during that campaign, and the Prophet (s) conferred upon him with the eternal name 'At-Tayyar,' when he said after that event during which both the hands of Jafar were severed:

"Instead of his hands that were cut, Jafar will have two wings with which he will fly in Paradise wherever he wants. " The Prophet (s) also said to him: "You are copying me in physique and morality."31

UMM-UL-BANIN

Umm-ul-Banin is the glorious mother of al-Abbas. Her name is Fatima, daughter of Hizam. Historians have referred to the names of eleven mothers each of whom was known of glory, honor, and good reputation. Her father, too, was one of the most celebrated personalities of the Arabs, and was the chief of his people. Historians have also mentioned many names of this great lady's ascendants who were well known of horsemanship, heroism, and courage.33

In conclusion, Umm-ul-Banin belonged to one of the most celebrated families in fields of honor, openhandedness, nobility, courage, and bravery.

MARRIAGE

When Imam Ali lost his wife, Fatima the daughter of Prophet Mohammed (s), he summoned his brother Aqil who was a well-known genealogist to ask him to search for a lady being the descendant of heroes so that she would give birth of a courageous, immaculate hero whose mission would be supporting his brother in the field of Karbala.34 Without hesitation, Aqil advised his brother to propose to Umm-ul-Banin; from the tribe of Kelab, because her fathers and people had been the foremost among others in fields of heroism and courage. Agreeing to his advice, Imam Ali asked his brother, Aqil, to go to that lady's father and ask her hand for him.

As soon as Aqil mentioned the matter with him, Aamir -Umm-ul-Banin's father- welcomed and responded with pride. Some historians35 have confirmed that Imam Ali married Umm-ul-Banin after the death of his first wife Fatima the Veracious (a). Others36 have recorded that Imam Ali had married Imama, daughter of Zaynab daughter of the Prophet, before Umm-ul-Banin.

HER SITUATIONS

Lady Umm-ul-Banin took care of al-Hasan and al-Hussein so remarkably that she asked her husband not to call her with her name, Fatima, so that this name would not remind these two boys with their mother. They, however, found the extreme kindness and sympathy with this lady who could remedy a part of their great loss of their mother who left in their minds deep sadness. Emotionally, Umm-ul-Banin had great love for al-Hasan and al-Hussein because of their perfection and unique morality. She in fact loved them more than her own children. She also preferred them to her sons in care and responsibility. Except this great lady, history has never seen a fellow wife acting so sincerely with her stepsons. This is because this perfect lady believed that it was her religious duty to take care of the two Imams the love for whom is imposed by God and revealed in the Quran: Say, "I do not ask you for any payment for my preaching to you except (your) love of (my near) relatives."37

IN THE SIGHT OF THE AHL-UL-BAYT

Umm-ul-Banin had full knowledge of the actual standings and heavenly ranks of the Ahl-ul-Bayt; therefore, she performed her duty towards them so perfectly. Historian have recorded that when she was carried to her husband's house, al-Hasan and al-Hussein were sick. As soon as she noticed so, she, willingly, went on caressing them, using the nicest language. Since that moment, she went on treating them so kindly. From this cause, she could occupy a great position in the sight of the Ahl-ul-Bayt who had great regard for her, especially for her unique situation of loyalty for Imam al-Hussein (s). As soon as she was back home after the tragedy of Karbala, Zaynab, daughter of Imam Ali, visited Umm-ul-Banin for consoling her for the martyrdom of her four sons. Moreover, Zaynab used to visit her on the Eids.38

Umm-ul-Banin gave birth of four sons; al-Abbas, Abdullah, Jafar, and Uthman. After the death of Imam Ali, she did not marry again until she died.

IN THE SIGHT OF MUSLIMS

Like the Ahl-ul-Bayt, this lady occupies a great position in the sights of Muslims. Many believe that she has a great position in the sight of God Who will surely respond to any request that is presented through the intercession of her great position. It is natural that such a great lady occupies a great position in the sight of God because she sacrificed her four sons for His sake.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Al-Abbas had fifteen brothers and eighteen sisters. Their father was the great Imam Ali who brought them up on uprightness and piety.

THE TWO IMAMS

In the first place we should refer to the two Imams al-Hasan and al-Hussein (a) from whom al-Abbas learnt the best lessons of morality and heroism. They are, as described by their grandfather Prophet Mohammed (s), "the chiefs of the youth of Paradise and the two Imams whether they choose peace or choose fighting."39 Their father took pride in them whenever he wanted to prove his precedence to the others.40 This is in fact enough for proving their supreme worth.

So, to live under the custody of such persons, after their father, is enough to achieve perfection of personality and to acquire the highest moralities. In addition to the divine knowledge and lore, al-Abbas came by innumerable virtues and good points because of his brotherhood to the two Imams al-Hasan and al-Hussein (a).

MOHAMMAD IBN AL-HANAFIYYA

Mohammad ibn al-Hanafiyya is another brother from whom al-Abbas learnt courage plus horsemanship and eloquence. During the battle of Siffin, Imam Ali regarded his son Mohammed as his hand. Hence, the son was fighting bravely before his father.41

FULL BROTHERS

Abdullah, Jafar, Uthman, Abu-Bakr, and Mohammed al-Awsat-all these brothers were martyred during the battle of at-Taff before al-Abbas.42

ZAYNAB

Al-Abbas, too, was the brother of Zaynab al-Kubra, daughter of Fatima az-Zahraa daughter of Prophet Mohammed (s). She was older than al-Abbas. Like her mother the chiefess of the women of this world, Zaynab was the best example of glory, honor, and perseverance on principles; therefore, she has become the pattern of the virtuous woman who contributes strongly in erecting the ideal human society. She was one of the fragments of prophecy and one of the pieces of Imamate. Besides, she was so knowledgeable, righteous, and sagacious.43 Like her father, she was so eloquent. This lady had special situations with al-Abbas who engaged himself with her guardianship during the tragic journey to Karbala.

After the martyrdom of her brothers, sons, and nephews, and after she had been taken as captive to the palace of Yazid, Zaynab gave the ever best example of perseverance and steadfastness when she delivered that incomparable sermon before her enemies who tried, uselessly, to humiliate her. It is now not odd for , al-Abbas, to hold all the mental virtues in his unparalleled personality, since his forefathers, father, mother, brothers, and sisters were all models of human perfection.

BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE

Al-Abbas, was the first child of Umm-ul-Banin. With his birth, Medina shone and the whole world glittered. Waves of pleasures flowed in the family of Ali (a), for the birth of their magnificent moon that would light this world with his merits, and would add immortal glory to the numerous glories of the Hashemites.

As soon as Imam Ali (a) was given the good news of the birth of this blessed child, he hurried to take him, kiss him frequently, and hold the Shariite ceremonies of newborns. The Imam (a) recited the azan in his newborn's right ear and recited the iqama45 in the left. Hence, the first voice that penetrated this great newborn's hearing was his father's, shouting:

Allahu Akbar -Allah is the Greatest…

La ilaha illa (a)llah -There is no god but Allah. These great words, which are the message of all prophets and the melody of all the God-fearing, found a ground in the inner self of al-Abbas. They, later on, became the most significant elements of his personality. In his future, he would adopt the calling to the true application of these words for which he would lose all his limbs.

On the seventh day of birth, Imam Ali (a) shaved the newborn's hair and gave golden and silver alms as weighty as the cut hair. As he had done to al-Hasan and al-Hussein, Imam Ali (a) slaughtered a ram as offering to God on behalf of his baby. These practices are adopted from the Prophet (s) whose words, practices, and confirmations are regarded as authoritative ground, altogether with the holy Koran, for Muslims.

YEAR OF BIRTH

Historians46 have confirmed that al-Abbas was born on the fourth of Shabaan, AH 26.

NAME

After holding the Islamic ceremonies of newborns for Imam Ali's new baby, Lady Zaynab (a) turned her face towards her father and asked, "Father, have you chosen a name and a nickname for this new baby?"

Her father answered, "Yes, daughter, I have." "What are they, father?" she asked eagerly. The father, as he perceived that this baby would be one of the heroes of Islam and would be frowning in the faces of evils and the wrongdoers, said: "I name him 'al-Abb

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Al-Abbas in The Imams' Sight

The Immaculate Imams are the representatives of God, the successors of His Prophet and the leaders that God has assigned for people so as to make distinction between the right and the wrong. They, peace be upon them, praised many persons and, also, condemned many others, each according to his deeds. On that account, they described Al-Abbas, with the finest words of praise, appreciation, and commendation, and showed their admiration for his heroic situations for defending Islam. He, however, has occupied the hearts and feelings of the great personalities and has become the melody of the free people all over history.

Let us now refer to some of the medals that the Immaculate Imams (a) conferred upon al-Abbas:

1) IMAM ALI

We have already mentioned that Imam Ali (a) foretold about the personality and future of al-Abbas when he was one-day old. In many other situations, Imam Ali (a) foretold that his son would shoulder the responsibility of protecting the harem of his brother and would sacrifice himself for his religion and belief. These predictions are regarded as commendations for al-Abbas whose mission was divinely identified and prepared. He did not disappoint his father when he accomplished his mission as completely as possible to the last spark of his life.

2) IMAM AL-HUSSEIN

Historian have narrated many reports showing the close, unique relation between al-Abbas and his brother, Imam al-Hussein (a) who addressed to him a word showing the great rank that al-Abbas occupied in his brother's mentality:

In one of the many situations in Karbala, Imam al-Hussein said to his brother al-Abbas: "Ride on, may I be your sacrifice." When al-Abbas breathed his last breaths while his head was on the knees of Imam al-Hussein (a), the latter declared with deeply sad tone: "Now, my spine is broken, and I have become helpless, and my enemies are rejoicing at my misfortune." This word expresses the real position that al-Abbas was occupying for his brother.

3) IMAM ZAYN UL-ABIDIN

Imam Zayn ul-Abidin is one of the founders of true piety and virtue of Islam. Historians have reported that he used to seek Allah's mercy for his uncle, al-Abbas, and used to refer to him with the finest words of admiration and commendation. Listen to the following valuable word of the Imam (a): "Allah may have mercy upon my uncle, al-Abbas. He preferred his brother to himself, did well, and sacrificed himself for his brother until he lost his two hands for sake of such. Thus, Allah, instead of his two hands, will give him two wings with which he will fly with the angels in Paradise, just like Ja'far ibn Abi-Talib. In the sight of Allah the Blessed the Exalted, al-Abbas enjoys a peculiar rank for which all the shahids will hope if they had its like on the day of Resurrection."65

The previous statement of Imam Zayn ul-Abidin (a) includes the most significant sacrifices that al-Abbas did towards his brother; Imam al-Hussein (a). For sake of his brother, al-Abbas sacrificed his two hands and went on resisting until he was felled. For these great sacrifices, God will grant al-Abbas an unparalleled rank that all martyrs will wish if they had its like.

4) IMAM AS-SADIQ

Imam as-Sadiq (a) used to praise his uncle al-Abbas and pay tributes to his heroic situations during the battle of at-Taff: "My uncle al-Abbas was clear-sighted and steadfastly faithful. He fought with his brother al-Hussein, did very well, and was martyred."66 Imam as-Sadiq, in the previous statement, refers to the noblest characteristics that al-Abbas enjoyed:

A. CLEAR-SIGHTEDNESS

Clear-sightedness is originated from well-advisedness and intellectual genuineness. It is attached to self-pureness and simple-heartedness, and enjoyed only by those who are free from control of passions. In the personality of al-Abbas, this characteristic was very clear. It was the principal motive that incited him to support and follow Imam al-Hussein (a) to climb up to the summit of honor and glory. Hence, his great personality has lasted forever as long as man is submitted to the human values whose summits and climaxes have been attained by al-Abbas, al-Abbas.

B. STEADFAST FAITH

Imam as-Sadiq (a) testified to the unmatched character of his uncle al-Abbas when he attached the characteristic of steadfast faith to him. This steadfast faith provoked al-Abbas to challenge the enemies in the fields of jihad and sacrifice himself for his religion.

C. FIGHTING WITH IMAM AL-HUSSEIN

The testimony of jihad is the best proof on the perfection of personality. Hence, Imam as-Sadiq (a) ascribes this great virtue to the personality of al-Abbas because of the latter's self-evident fighting for sake of his brother; Imam al-Hussein (a).

ZIYARA OF IMAM AS-SADIQ

After he had visited the tombs of Imam al-Hussein, his household, and the virtuous companions, Imam as-Sadiq (a) ran to visit the tomb of his uncle al-Abbas. He stood on that tomb and recited that famous Ziyara.

Imam as-Sadiq (a) begins this Ziyara by seeking the greetings and salaams of God, His favorite angels, commissioned Prophets, righteous servants, and all martyrs and truthful ones to be on al-Abbas. He then goes on testifying to his uncle of being submissive, believing, faithful, and sincere:

A. SUBMISSION

Al-Abbas submitted completely to his brother and leader, and followed him from top to bottom until he was martyred for his sake. This unmatched submission was the result of al-Abbas's full acquaintance with the Imamate of al-Hussein (a) that is incumbent upon every Muslim. Al-Abbas practiced all matters stemming from the divine commandment of the submission to the Immaculate Imams (a).

B. BELIEF

Al-Abbas believed in God and gave full credence to his brother. He surpassed all doubts in his belief of the equity of his issue. He believed he was the right while his enemies were wrong.

C. LOYALTY

Imam as-Sadiq (a) testified that his uncle al-Abbas accomplished his duties regarding the pledge of God and the loyalty to the Imam of his age utterly. He supported the right party, stood steadfastly with his brother in the most intensive circumstances, and did not leave him until he was martyred although he lost his two hands. Finally, al-Abbas was created to be faithful; therefore, his loyalty was a natural element of his personality and was also the fruit of the unparalleled loyalty of his parents.

D. SINCERITY

Sincerity is another feature in the personality of al-Abbas to which Imam as-Sadiq (a) testified. Al-Abbas was sincere in his fighting against the wrong and opposing the wrongdoers. He played a great role in the jihad of his brother who took the leadership of struggling the wrong.

In another paragraph of the Ziyara, Imam as-Sadiq (a) showed his great admiration for the great help and huge sacrifices that al-Abbas made for Imam al-Hussein. He sacrificed himself, protected him with his dearest things, and tolerated steadfastly crises and hardships-all for sake of God. God may reward him so remarkably on behalf of Prophet Mohammed, Imam Ali Amir ul-Mu'minin, Fatima az-Zahraa, al-Hasan, and al-Hussein (a).

Imam as-Sadiq, in the same Ziyara, testified that his uncle al-Abbas followed the same line of the martyrs of Islam whose blood raised the word of God highly. As he noticed the Umayyads' attempts to eradicate Islam and take people to the pre-Islamic customs and traditions, al-Abbas, under the leadership of his brother, revolted to keep the word of God high, to achieve victory to Islam, and to defeat the enemies and rivals. In the last paragraphs of the Ziyara, we notice the great rank of al-Abbas in the sight of Imam as-Sadiq (a) who testified to him that he did not show any shortcoming or retreat and did his best for sake of the religion. Hence, the Imam beseeches to God to confer al-Abbas with eternal happiness, large place in Paradise, and companionship of the prophets, martyrs, and righteous ones.

5) IMAM AL-MAHDI

The Great Reformist Imam al-Mahdi, God may hasten his return, said a great word about al-Abbas:

"Salaam be upon Abu'l-Fadl al-Abbas, son of Amir ul-Mu'minin. He preferred his brother to himself, supplied himself with (opportunities of) today for (rewards of) tomorrow, sacrificed himself for his brother, protected him, hurried for fetching him water, and his two hands were cut (for such). Allah curse his killers; Yazid ibn ar-Raqqad and Hukaim ibn at-Tuffail at-Taee…"67 In the previous statement, Imam al-Mahdi praises al-Abbas for the noble characteristics that he enjoyed: The Imam (a) commends al-Abbas for:

1. Preferring his brother; the chief of the martyrs, to himself,