[7] Ashura Maqtal - Abul Fadhl al-Abbas
This is a series of maqatil (martyrdom narratives - devotional recitations recounting the suffering and sacrifice of the Ahl al-Bayt, the family of Prophet Muhammad). These are for Ashura 2025/1447
In His Name, the Most High
بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ وَصَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَىٰ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ ٱلطَّيِّبِينَ ٱلطَّاهِرِينَ ٱلْمَعْصُومِينَ، أَمَّا بَعْدُ
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُIn the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to God, the Lord of all worlds, and may blessings be upon our Master Muhammad and upon his pure, purified, and infallible household. As for what follows:
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, and His blessings.
Video of the Maqtal (Eulogy)
Audio of the Maqtal (Eulogy)
Abul Fadhl al-Abbas
Birth and Lineage
Hazrat Abbas (AS) was the son Imam Ali (AS) and Fatima binte Hizam (commonly referred to as Ummul Baneen. Abbas was the commander in chief and flagbearer of Imam Hussain (AS) army in Karbala and is highly revered for his loyalty and bravery. Amongst the popular titles of Hazrat Abbas(AS) are Abul-Fadl (meaning Father of Virtue) and Qamar Bani-Hashim (the full moon of theHashimites).
Following the martyrdom of Sayeda Fatima Zehra (AS), Imam Ali (AS) was looking to get married to lady from a good linage, who would give birth to brave and courageous children. His consulted his brother Aqil ibn Abu Talib was an expert in Arab genealogy and him to find a suitable wife for him.
Aqil suggested a lady by the name of Fatima binte Hizam binte Khalid, who was from the Bani Kilab tribe, whose men were amongst the most brave and courageous of the Arabs. When the proposal tribe elders received the marriage proposal, there were honored, to have the Prophet’s brother as their son-in-law.
When Fatima binte Hizam entered the house of Imam Ali (AS), he referred to her as Fatima, however she saw the look of sadness on the faces of the children, who remembered their mother Sayeda Fatima Zehra (AS). Instead she asked Imam Ali (AS) to refer to her as Ummul Baneen (meaning mother of the children).
His Brothers and Upbringing
Hazrat Abbas (AS) was the son Imam Ali (AS) and Fatima binte Hizam (commonly referred to as Ummul Baneen. Abbas was the commander in chief and flagbearer of Imam Hussain (AS) army in Karbala and is highly revered for his loyalty and bravery. Amongst the popular titles of Hazrat Abbas (AS) are Abul-Fadl (meaning Father of Virtue) and Qamar Bani-Hashim (the full moon of the Hashimites). He had three other brothers who shared the same mother, Abdullah, Ja’far and Uthman.
From the time of their birth Lady Ummul Baneen always taught her sons to never see themselves as the equals of Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS), as she herself always saw herself as a maid servant of Ahlul Bayt (AS). When Abbas was born, the first thing he saw was the face of Imam Hussain (AS) remained by side of Imam Hussain (AS) throughout his life, always acting as protector and defender of his older brother.
Early Battles and Loyalty
In the Battle of Siffin, when Abbas was just a young boy he fought bravely, killing many of the enemies forces. During the battle Abbas wore a face covering to hide his identity and many on the enemy side assumed that this was Imam Ali (AS) who had been fighting. Abbas finished his battle and returned back to the tent and Imam Ali (AS) came out to greet him.
The enemy were astonished and wanted to know who had been fighting so courageously, Imam Ali (AS) removed the face covering and all the enemies saw it was Abbas. As Imam Ali (AS) was about leave this world due to effects of the head injury, caused by Ibn Muljim’s poisoned sword, he told all the family members to place their hand in the hand of Imam Hassan (AS), however Abbas was told place his hand in the hand of Imam Hussain (AS).
Departure Towards Karbala
When Imam Hussain (AS) left Medina for Makkah, on his way to Karbala, Hazrat Abbas (AS) accompanied his brother. Upon leaving Makkah Hazrat Abbas (AS) delivers a important sermon from the roof of the Ka’ba, addressing the pilgrims who had gathered for Hajj.
“All praise be to the Almighty Allah, Who honoured this house (The holy Ka’ba) because of his (Imam Husain’s) father, and set it as the Qibla of the Muslims, which till then was only a house.
O’ evil creatures and infidels, do you close the way of this house for the pious and holy Imam? You close the way upon one who is more worthy and nearer to this house than anyone else!
If it was not for the Will of the Almighty Allah, the Divine mystery and the Divine test, then surely, the house (of Allah) would have moved towards the Imam. For touching her blessed hands, while the people touching the Hajr al-Aswad (the black stone).
If my master (Imam Husain) will was not in conformity with the Will of Allah, I would have attacked you, like an angry eagle attacking a sparrow in the air, and would have sacrificed my life for my pious leader.
Do you threaten a brave man who has not been fearful of death even at childhood, and considered it a sport?
Never! Think and see who is the one who drinks wines (Yazid)?
And who is the owner of Kauser (drinking pond in the Heaven) (i.e. Imam Husain)?
Ponder and see in whose house drinking of alcohol and dancing by women is common (Yazid); and in whose house is witnessed revelation of the holy Qur’an (Imam Husain’s)!
Ponder and see in whose house is corruption and evil (Yazid)?
And in whose house is found purity and verses of the holy Qur’an (Imam Husain)!
You are heading toward the same wrong way that the Quraish went.
They planned to kill the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and you, too, plan to kill his grandson. As they couldn’t do anything to him during Amirul Muminin’s era; you, too, cannot implement your scheme against Imam Husain as long as I am alive!
Know that you cannot succeed in your evil intention unless you kill me first! I hope you will not achieve your evil aim, and may the wrath of Almighty Allah be on you, your forefathers, and sons forever!”
The Night of Tasu’a
On the evening of Tasu’a, the day before Ashura, Shimr bin Dhil Jawshan from the enemy approaches the camp of Imam Hussain (AS), with letters of amnesty for Hazrat Abbas (AS) and his brothers.
Abbas did not wish to meet with him, however upon the insistence of Imam Hussain (AS) he agreed to do so. Shimr tells Hazrat Abbas (AS),
“I have brought letters of amnesty from Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad, for you and your brothers. We are from the same tribe as your mother, so I do not wish to fight against you.”
Abbas asks him
“Is there amnesty for the son of Zehra”.
Shimr replies
“No this is only for you and your brothers, I got special permission from Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad.”
Hazrat Abbas(AS) reacts angrily, tearing up the letter and throwing it at Shimr
“Curse be on your amnesty and curse be on you. We will never abandon the son of Zehra”.
The Day of Ashura
On the day of Ashura, Hazrat Abbas sends his brothers Abdullah, Jaf’ar and Uthman to the battlefield telling them,
“O sons of my mother! You go ahead so that I see you have a purified goal for Allah and his Messenger.”
Abdullah went into battle and fought severely before he was killed after an exchange of swords with Hani bin Thubayt al-Hadrami.
Jaf’ar the second brother enters the battle and he too was killed by Hani. Finally Uthman enters the battle and is shot by an arrow fired by Khawli bin Yazid and is attacked and beheaded by a man from the Banu Darim clan.
Imam Hussain’s companions and family, one by one entered the battlefield and were martyred.
Finally Hazrat Abbas (AS) was left alone alongside Imam Hussain (AS), with all the members of the army having reached martyrdom. Abbas told his brother
“Master, do I have permission to enter the battlefield”,
however Imam Hussain (AS) told him
“O Abbas, how could I let you go to fight. You are the standard bearer of my army”.
Hazrat Abbas (AS) turns towards Imam Hussain (AS) and says
“O master where is the army, they have all been martyred”.
The Last Mission for Water
Water had been cut off to the camp of Imam Hussain (AS) and the children had been thirsty for several days. The four year old daughter of Imam Hussain (AS), Sakina, approaches her uncle Abbas, clutching her empty water sack and asks him,
“O my Uncle Abbas, all the children are dying of thirst, will you bring us some water”.
Hazrat Abbas (AS) looks at his brother Imam Hussain (AS), who tells him
“I give you permission to bring water for the children.”
Abbas takes the water sack from Sakina, attaches it to his standard and prepares to mount his horse. Hazrat Abbas (AS) says his farewells to the family and promises the children that he will soon return back with water.
Sakina gathers together the children, all them waiting anxiously for Hazrat Abbas(AS) to return so they can drink the cool water.
Martyrdom of Hazrat Abbas
Abbas sets out to get water from the river, carrying the flag and the water sack. He fights like a ferocious lion, cutting through the enemy ranks and reaching the Euphrates. Abbas sees the cool fresh water and takes some in his hand. He then remembers the thirst of his brother Imam Hussain (AS) and tells himself
“O Abbas how could you drink from this water when your master is thirsty”.
Hazrat Abbas fills the water sack and begins returning back to the camp. Umar ibn Saad gives the order that not a single drop of water should the camp of Hussain. Abbas is now being attacked from all sides, however he is focused on protecting the water.
An enemy Hakim bin Tufayl al-Sunbusi hiding in a palm tree hits Hazrat Abbas from behind, severing his right arm. He grabs the water sack in his left hand and recites the following couplet
“By Allah, even if they cut off my right hand, I will never abandon my religion”.
Abbas continues fighting, however a short while later another enemy Hakam b. Tufayl al-Ta’I comes from behind another palm tree severs his left arm. Abbas utters the following couplet
“O my soul! Do not fear the unbelievers and be blessed by the mercy of great God and being with the noble Prophet (s); these people cut my left hand unjustly. My Lord will drop them in the flames of hell”
Abbas takes the water sack in between his teeth and carries on riding, holding the standard between his legs. At this point Hurmala who was main archer in Umar Saad’s army fires an arrow and it hits Hazrat Abbas in the eye.
He still moves forward but this time Hurmala sends another arrow which hits the water sack, causing all the water to fall to the ground.
Abbas loses hope and tries to turn his horse around to head back to the river, however he is stuck by Hakam b. Tufayl al-Ta’i causing him to fall from the horse to the ground. Hazrat Abbas now calls out
“On my master, please accept my final farewell.”
Imam Hussain (AS) hears the cry and rushes into the battlefield. He sees Hazrat Abbas lying in the sand and places his head on his lap, but Abbas places his head back on the sand. Imam Hussain asks
“O Abbas do you not like to keep your in my lap”.
Abbas replies
“No master, but when you are martyred there will be nobody to take your head in their lap.”
Then Abbas makes his final requests from Imam Hussain (AS)
“My master, the first person I saw when I was born was you. I have an arrow in my left eye and the right eye is filled with blood. Could you please clean my right eye so I could see one last time”.
Imam Hussain (AS) cleans the eye of Hazrat Abbas(AS) and looks into face.
Then he says
“O master, I have another request. I wish that you leave my body here and don’t take me back to the tent as I am too ashamed. I promised to bring Sakina water but I was unable to fulfil my promise”.
Imam Hussain (AS) then turns to his brother and tells him,
“I too have a request from you as well as. From the time you were born, you always referred to me master. I wish that you call me brother one time”.
Hazrat Abbas (AS) turns his face towards Imam Hussain (AS) and calls out
“O my brother”
and attains martyrdom.
Imam Hussain cries out
“Now my back is broken.”
Imam Hussain collects the standard with the torn water sack and begins riding back. Sakina sees the standard and gathers children, expecting to see her Uncle, however Imam Hussain (AS) returns alone. When Sakina realizes that her uncle is martyred and will not return she cries out
“O my Uncle Abbas, I will never ask for water again, I only wish that you return back to me”.
Peace be upon you O son of Ameerul Momineen,
Peace be upon you O righteous servant (of Allah), and obedient to Allah, to His Messenger,
I testify that you that you did jihad & was patient until death came to you.
So, Allah’s curse be on the group who killed you from the first to the last & may they be in hell forever.
وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ أَىَّ مُنقَلَبٍۢ يَنقَلِبُونَ
And those who have wronged, will come to know to what [evil] return, they will be returning.
- Quran, Surah ash-Shu’ara (the Chapter of the Poets) #26, Verse 227
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Indeed, we belong to God, and indeed to Him we shall return.
- Quran, Surah al-Baqarah (the Chapter of the Cow) #2, Verse 156