Hazrat Abbas: The Flag-bearer of Faith and Loyalty (Part 1)
Childhood
It was the fourth of Sha'ban in the year 26 AH. In the holy city of Medina, a man came running to the Prophet's Mosque. He stood for a moment at the door looking among the worshippers for some particular person.
He was excited and when he spotted the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (PBUH), he rushed towards him breathlessly, shouting I have good news for you.
The man was none other than Qanbar the faithful servant of the Imam. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and said: my master I am coming from your house now and God Almighty has blessed with another son. I have come to give you this good news and ask what should he be named. Happiness could be seen in the Imam's eyes. He smiled and said this child has a high status before God. I will come home now. I will name this son Abbas like my Uncle. That day was the fourth of Shaban.
Many experts in psychology believe inheritance; education and the surrounding environment play important roles in forming human beings' personality. In this regard, Hazrat Abbas grew up under special conditions.
He grew up in a house where worldly ornaments were not important, but which was filled with the light of God and love for humanity and its ethereal values. He grew up among brothers as noble as the Prophet's two grandson Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein (peace be upon them).
He grew up in a household on whom the Prophet had asked God to bestow His blessings. This house was the place of hope and refuge of the world.
It was the habit of Imam Ali (PBUH) to cultivate and irrigate the palm groves and then endow them to the needy. Abbas acquired these qualities from his father as well as from his brothers Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein (peace be upon them), the illustrious sons of the Prophet's impeccable daughter Hazrat Fatimah (peace be upon her) who had long expired.
He soon adorned himself with the highest human characteristics. Hazrat Abbas' life was filed with knowledge and love. He was wise and knowledgeable as well as tall, handsome and brave.
Among the Arabs it was a tradition to name beautiful children Qamar or moon. And Hazrat Abbas acquired the epithet of Qamar-e Bani Hashem or the Moon of the Bani Hashem Clan.
Other links:
The Banner Holder of Neynava, Hazrate Abolfazl al-Abbas
A night to fly over toward the beloved
The great Prophet (SAW) and His Six True Friends
The Role of Women in Karbala
