Childhood and Youth of Hadhrat Abbas (as)

Name:  al-Abbas (a.s.)

Title:  Alamdar-e-lashkar-e-Hussain (as.), Qamar bani Hashim

Agnomen:  Abul Fazl

Father:  Imam Ali Amir al-Muminin (a.s.)

Mother:  Fatima bint-e-Huzzam ibn-e-Khalid (a.s.)

Birth:  4th Shabaan 26 AH.

Death:  Martyred in Karbala (Iraq) at the age of 36, on Friday, 10th Muharram 61 AH and buried there.

Birth and Childhood

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) married Fatimah Bint-e-Huzaam Ibne Khalid (a.s.) in 24 Hijrah. Fatimah gave birth to Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) on the 4th Shabaan, 26th Hijrah. In 27th Hijrah Ja'far was born and in 29th Hijrah Uthmaan was born. Abdullah was born in 32nd Hijrah. Because she had four sons Fatima Binti Huzaam was known as Ummul Baneen (Mother of Sons).

Ummul Baneen, from the very first day she entered Hazrat Ali's (a.s.) house, treated the children of Bibi Fatimah (s.a.) with utmost respect. She brought up her own sons to look upon Imam Hassan (a.s.), Imam Hussain (a.s.), Bibi Zainab (s.a) and Bibi Kulthoom (a.s.), not as brothers and sisters but as masters and mistresses.

Imam Hussain (a.s.) was very attached to Hazrat Abbas (a.s.). When Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) was born, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) asked Imam Hussain (a.s.) to recite the adhaan and the iqamah in the ears of the child. When he was on the arms of Imam Hussain (a.s.), the infant smiled and raised his arms. There were tears in Imam Hussein’s (as.) eyes. Was it because he knew that the child was trying to say: "O Mawla I have come and will happily give these my arms and my life for you and Islam"

 At the battle of Siffeen in the 34th Hijrah, Abbas (a.s.) was only eight years old. Imam Hussain (a.s.) was fighting in the battle field. When Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) saw an enemy soldier approaching Imam Hussain (a.s.) 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 any one dare attack my Mawla while I am alive." He continued to fight maintaining his position behind Imam Hussain (a.s.). 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 (a.s.) 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 (a.s.) was also a valiant warrior. It was said that Muawiya did not dare invade Madina because of five men who were with Imam Hussain (a.s.) and could, together with their Imam, conquer a whole army. These were Muhammad Hanafia, a brother of Imam Hussain (a.s.), Hazrat Muslim ibn-e-Aqeel (a.s.), Abdullah Ibn-e-Jaffer (a.s.), Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) and Hazrat Ali ibn-al-Hussain (a.s.), our fourth Imam, Zainul 'Abideen (a.s.).

When Imam Hussain (a.s.) 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 (a.s.) wanted to fight for the khilafah.

There were tears in Hazrat Abbas's (a.s.) eyes as he promised his mother that he and his brothers would lay down their lives for Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his children.

Titles of Hazrat Abbas (a.s.)

1-Qamar-e-Banihashem (The Moon Of Banihashem'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 Brings Water)

This is his another 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 nick name 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-Hussein (the Commander of Imam Hussain(a.s.)'s troops)

This nickname was given to him because he was the commander of Imam Hussain (as.)'s troops.

other links:

The short life History of Hadhrat Abbas (as)

Hadhrat Abbas, one of the bravest of the Prophet’s followers

Imam Hussein, King of Karbala