The Lion of Loyalty: Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ)

The Birth of Hazrat Abba(رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) in Madinah: A Lion is Born

In the sacred city of Madinah, on the 7th of Rajab in 26 A.H., a child was born whose legacy would become synonymous to the spirit of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice for generations to come. He was Abul Fadhl al-Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ)-the son of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) and Lady Ummul Banin (رَضِيَ ٱللّٰهُ عَنْهَا), a noble woman of the Kalb tribe renowned for its courage and honour.

When the news of his birth reached Amir al-Mu’mineen, Imam Ali (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) fell into prostration, thanking Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for this blessing. The newborn’s first auditory experience was the blessed voice of Imam Hussain (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ), who recited the adhan and iqamah in his ears. And when his eyes fluttered open for the first time, it was the luminous face of Sayyid al-Shuhada Imam Hussain (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) that he saw before anyone else’s.

From that very moment, the life of Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) was intertwined with love, loyalty, and service to the Ahlul Bayt (رَضيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُم).  On the seventh day, in accordance with the Sunnah, his Aqīqah was performed, and his father named him Abbas-a name that signifies a lion, fierce in the battlefield and noble in character.

He grew into a towering figure-both in appearance and in spirit. His dignified presence earned him the title Qamar Bani Hashim-the Moon of the Hashemites. His mastery in horseback riding gave him the title Sayyid al-Fursān (Chief of Horsemen), and his fearlessness in combat made him known as Ra’īs al-Shuj‘ān (Leader of the Brave). But the title that pierces the hearts of believers most deeply is al-Saqqā’-the Water Bearer, for it was in pursuit of water for the thirsty children of Karbala that he offered the ultimate sacrifice in a way nobody could ever replicate, while being the ‘Alamdar’ (Flag-bearer of the army) on the Day of Ashura in Karbala.

Early Signs of Loyalty: The Young Warrior of Siffin

Nurtured in the sacred home of Imam Ali (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ), guided by the wisdom of Imam Hasan (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ), and illuminated by the love and divine mission of Imam Hussain (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ), Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) was moulded into a soul of purity. He radiated the same steadfast faith, noble patience, courageous sacrifice as them, and with a devotion that knew no bounds.

Imam Zayn al-ʿĀbidīn (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) said:

“May the mercy of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) be upon my uncle Abbas. He sacrificed himself so purely for his brother that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) granted him wings in Paradise. His station is so elevated that on the Day of Judgement, all martyrs will look at him with longing.”

The Devotion of Hazrat Abba(رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) to Imam Hussai(رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ)

Even as a child, Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) admired and revered his elder brother in a way that cannot be put into words. Once, when Imam Hussain (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) asked for water while seated beside his father Imam Ali (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) in the Masjid of Kufa, it was little Abbas who raced to bring it before anyone else could serve his beloved Imam. This devotion never wavered. It only grew deeper with the passage of time.

At the tender age of eleven, he fought in the Battle of Siffin. Disguised and fully armoured, he entered the battlefield and defeated seven sons of the renowned Syrian warrior Ibn Shasa, followed by Ibn Shasa himself. The spectators were awestruck. Many believed it was Imam Ali (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) himself under the armour. But when he removed his mask, the warrior they saw was not Imam Ali (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) but his reflection in bravery, his young son Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ)

The Day of Ashura: Hazrat Abbas' (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) Final Sacrifice for Sakin(رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ)

On the scorching sands of Karbala and on the Day of Ashura, the devotion of Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) reached its most heart-rending and radiant peak. When offered false promises of safety by the enemy, he saw through their deception and turned away without hesitating or even concerned about the dangers to his own life. Loyalty to the beloved grandson of the Prophet (ﷺ) was etched into his soul and no worldly threat or greed could ever overpower his being. With a heart burning in love for Imam Hussain (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ), he replied to Shimr’s vile offer with a holy defiance and said: “Perish your protection! Do you ask us to forsake the grandson of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and submit to falsehood?”

Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) repeatedly sought Imam Hussain’s (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) permission to fight, but each time, the Imam gently reminded him, “Abbas, you are my standard-bearer, the captain of my army.” Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) accepted this with complete submission, even as his brothers fell in battle and his heart burned with grief and anger-especially when young Hazrat Qasim’s (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ)- (Imam Hasan’s (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) son) body was trampled. Imam Hussain (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) knew Abbas’s fierce spirit and that he could wreak havoc on the enemies like a fearless lion, but Imam Hussain رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) also knew that his mission was higher than winning a battle-it was to revive the true spirit of Islam and preserve it for eternity.

Hazrat Abbas' (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) Final Sacrifice for Sakina (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ)

But when Bibi Sakina (رَضِيَ ٱللّٰهُ عَنْهَا) came to Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) , holding an empty water bag, her voice trembling, “I am thirsty, O my uncle,” hisdetermination to procure water for the wailing children knew no bounds. With his Imam’s permission, Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) prepared to bring her water. Before leaving, he came to Imam Hussain (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) to say farewell. Tears welled in the Imam’s eyes as he embraced him and asked for his sword as a gift. Without hesitation, Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) handed over his sword, taking only a spear and the flag, riding alone into the battlefield.

Facing an army of 90,000, the enemy trembled at his name. With unmatched courage, he fought his way to the river Euphrates, filled the water bag, but, despite his own thirst that had tormented him for days, he did not drink. He whispered to the water, “My lips can touch you only after Sakina’s (رَضِيَ ٱللّٰهُ عَنْهَا) thirst is quenched.” Placing the water bag back on his flag, he turned to return, embodying patience, loyalty, and love that transcended even his own suffering.

On his way back, the enemy closed in around him and through deceitful ways, attacked him from all sides.  First, his right arm was cut off, but Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) held the water bag on his left hand, trying to preserve every drop of water. But then his left arm was severed too. Still, with unshakable determination, he held the water bag tight in his teeth, determined to bring life-saving water to Imam Hussain’s (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) four years old beloved daughter Sakina (رَضِيَ ٱللّٰهُ عَنْهَا). Lastly, a heavy fatal blow crushed his head, wounding him severely and bleeding, he fell to the ground, crying out “Assalamu Alayka Ya Aba Abdillah!”

Why Imam Hussai(رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) Called Abba(رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) His Backbone

Imam Hussain (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) who had witnessed the martyrdom of his companions, sons and nephews one after the other- from the onset of the Day of Ashura- rushed towards his brother Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) saying, “My backbone has been broken”. He found Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) lying wounded and broken on the ground with both arms severed, an arrow piercing one eye, and the other covered in blood. Despite his pain, Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) spoke gently, “O Imam, why have you come? Please return and care for Sakina.” But Imam Hussain (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) replied with deep love, “My dear brother, you have served me and my children all your life. Is there anything I can do for you in this final moment?”

With a faint voice, Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) asked, “Aqaa (My Imam), please wipe the blood from my eyes, so I may see your beloved face one last time.” Imam (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) tenderly cleansed his eyes, and Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) fixed his gaze upon him with love and peace. Then he whispered, “O Imam, please do not bring my body to the camp-I do not want Sakina to see me like this, I’m sorry for not being able to bring water for these children,” and his blessed soul returned to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) - Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihe Raajeoun!

Honouring Saqqa-e-Sakina Today: The Thirst of Children Across the World

Today, children are still crying for water.

Across the world, in regions stricken by poverty and drought, mothers walk miles to fetch a single drop for their babies. The cry of Sakina (رَضِيَ ٱللّٰهُ عَنْهَا) still lives in every thirsty child.

Let us honour the legacy of Saqqā - e-Sakina, Hazrat Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) by answering those cries.

 Donate to Thirst Relief today.
 Help build wells, provide clean water, and give life in the name of the one who gave everything to bring a drop of water to the innocent.

 Give water. Give hope. Give sadaqah jāriyah.

Donate now – for the love of Abbas (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ).