HISTORY OF ISLAM FOR BABAs

INFORMATION
Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbas_ibn_Abd_al-
Muttalib
Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (Arabic: ‫ٱْلَع َّباُس ْبُن َع ْبِد ٱْلُم َّطِلِب‬,
romanized: al-ʿAbbās ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib; c. 566–653 CE)
was a paternal uncle and sahabi (companion) of the
Islamic prophet Muhammad, just three years older than
his nephew. A wealthy merchant, during the early years
of Islam he protected Muhammad while he was in Mecca,
but only became a convert after the Battle of Badr in 624
CE (2 AH). His descendants founded the Abbasid dynasty
in 750.[1]
Early years
Abbas, born around 565 CE, was one of the younger
sons of Abd al-Muttalib. His mother was Nutayla bint
Janab of the Namir tribe.[2] After his father's death, he
took over the Zamzam Well and the distribution of water
to the pilgrims.[3] He became a spice merchant in Mecca,[4]
a trade that made him wealthy.[5] Within this role, he
managed a caravan network to and from Syria, where he
eventually recruited and trained Muhammad as an
apprentice for leading the northern leg of the journey.[6]
Conversion to Islam
During the years when the Muslim religion was gaining
adherents (610–622), Abbas provided protection to his
kinsman but did not adopt the faith. He acted as a
spokesman at the Second Pledge of Aqaba,[7] but he was
not among those who emigrated to Medina.
Having fought on the side of the polytheists, Abbas was
captured during the Battle of Badr. Muhammad allowed
al-Abbas to ransom himself and his nephew.[8]
Ibn Hisham said that Abbas had become a secret Muslim
before the Battle of Badr;[9] but a clear statement to that
effect is missing from Tabari's citation of the same
source.[10][11] It is said by some authorities that he
converted to Islam shortly after the Battle of Badr.[12]
It is elsewhere implied that Abbas did not formally
profess Islam until January 630, just before the fall of
Mecca, twenty years after his wife Lubaba converted.[13]
Muhammad then named him "last of the migrants"
(Muhajirun), which entitled him to the proceeds of the
spoils of war. He was given the right to provide Zamzam
water to pilgrims, a right which was passed down to his
descendants.[1]
Abbas immediately joined Muhammad's army,
participating in the Conquest of Mecca, the Battle of
Hunayn and the Siege of Ta'if. He defended Muhammad
at Hunayn when other warriors deserted him.[14] After
these military exploits, Abbas brought his family to live
in Medina, where Muhammad frequently visited them[15]
and even proposed marriage to his daughter.[16]
Later Abbas fought in the expedition to Tabuk.[14]
Family
Abbas had at least five wives.
1. Lubaba bint al-Harith (Arabic: ‫)لبابة بنت الحارث‬, also
known as Umm al-Fadl, was from the Banu Hilal
tribe. Umm al-Fadl claimed to be the second woman
to convert to Islam, the same day as her close friend
Khadijah, the first wife of Muhammad. Umm al-
 Fadl's traditions of the Prophet appear in all
canonical collections of hadiths. She showed her
piety by supernumerary fasting and by attacking
Abu Lahab, the enemy of the Muslims, with a tent
pole.[17]
2. Fatima bint Junayd, from the Al-Harith clan of the
Quraysh tribe.[18]
3. Hajila bint Jundub ibn Rabia, from the Hilal tribe. [19]
4. Musliya, a Greek concubine.[20][21]
5. Tukana, a Jewish woman from the Qurayza tribe,
whom Abbas married after 632.[22] It is not known
whether any of the children were hers.
The known children of Abbas were:
1. Al-Faraa, who married Qatn ibn Al-Harith, a brother
of Lubaba. Her mother is not named.[23]
The following were all the offspring of Lubaba.[24]
1. Al-Fadl.
2. Abd Allah.
3. Ubayd Allah. Ubayd Allah's daughter Lubaba
married Abbas ibn Ali and had a son Ubayd Allah
ibn Abbas ibn Ali.
4. Qutham.
5. Ma'bad.
6. Abd al-Rahman.
7. Umm Habib.
Other children
1. Al-Harith. His mother is said to have been either
Fatima[18] or Hajila.[19]
 2. Awn, whose mother is not named.[25]
3. Mushir, whose mother is not named.[26]
4. Kathir, son of Musliya.[27]
5. Amina, probably the daughter of Musliya.[20][28]
6. Safiya, probably the daughter of Musliya.[20][28]
7. Tammam, the youngest, son of Musliya.[27]
Death
Abbas died in February 653 at the age of 89. He is buried
at the Jannatul Baqee cemetery in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
[29][30]

Descendants
Further information: Abbasid Caliphate, Abbasid
dynasty, and Caliphate
The Abbasid dynasty founded in 750 by Abu al-ʻAbbās
ʻAbdallāh as-Saffāh better known as As-Saffah claimed
the title of caliph (literally "successor") through their
descent from Abbas's son Abdallah.[31]
Many other families claimed direct descent from Abbas,
including the Kalhoras of Sindh, Daudpotas of
Bahawalpur, Abbasi's of Murree Pakistan, Abbasi's of
Bagh, Azad Kashmir[32] the Berber Banu Abbas,[33] and
the modern-day Bawazir of Yemen[34] and Shaigiya and
Ja'Alin of Sudan.[35]
family tree
 Qura
ysh
tribe

Abd Ātikah
Waq Man bint
ida af Murra
bint ibn h
Amr Qusa
i

Sal
Naw Muṭṭ ma
fal alib Hashi bin
‘Abd
ibn ibn m t
Sha Barra Hala
Abd Abd Am
ms
Man Man r
af af

Um ʿAb
ayy d
a al-
ibn Mu
Abd ṭṭal
 Sha ib
ms

al-
ʿAb
Az-
bās
Abū Ha Abī Zu
Har ʿĀmi ʿAbd Ab
al- mz Ṭ āli ba
b nah allāh ū
ʿĀs a b yr
Lah
ab

Kh
ʾAbī MUH Khad awl
ʿAlī ʿAb
Sufy AMM ija ah
al- (Fa d
ān ʿUth ʿAffā AD bint bin
Ḥ ak mily Allā
ibn mān n (Fami Khu t
am tree h
Har ly wayli Ja'
) far
b tree) d

Muʿ Mar ʿUth Ruqa Fati Muha ʿAli

āwiy wān mān yyah mah mmad ibn
ibn ibn al- ʿAb
 Hanafi dall
ʿAffā yyah āh
ah I I
n

Mu
Abu ha
Hasim mm
al- (Imām ad
Ḥ us of al- "al-
Sufy Mar al-
ayn Mukht Imā
anid wan Ḥ asa
(Fa ār and m"
s ids n
mily Hashi (Ab
tree) miyya) bas
ids)

Ibr al-
āhi Saff
m āḥ a
"al- l-
Im Ma
ām nsu
" r

See also
 List of Sahabah
  List of notable Hijazis

===================================
Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (Arabic: ‫ٱْلَع َّباُس ْبُن َع ْبِد ٱْلُم َّطِلِب‬,
romanized: al-ʿAbbās ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib; c. 566–653 CE)
was a paternal uncle and sahabi (companion) of the
Islamic prophet Muhammad, just three years older than
his nephew. A wealthy merchant, during the early years
of Islam he protected Muhammad while he was in Mecca,
but only became a convert after the Battle of Badr in 624
CE (2 AH). His descendants founded the Abbasid dynasty
in 750.[1]
Early years
Abbas, born around 565 CE, was one of the younger
sons of Abd al-Muttalib. His mother was Nutayla bint
Janab of the Namir tribe.[2] After his father's death, he
took over the Zamzam Well and the distribution of water
to the pilgrims.[3] He became a spice merchant in Mecca,[4]
a trade that made him wealthy.[5] Within this role, he
managed a caravan network to and from Syria, where he
eventually recruited and trained Muhammad as an
apprentice for leading the northern leg of the journey.[6]
Conversion to Islam
During the years when the Muslim religion was gaining
adherents (610–622), Abbas provided protection to his
kinsman but did not adopt the faith. He acted as a
spokesman at the Second Pledge of Aqaba,[7] but he was
not among those who emigrated to Medina.
Having fought on the side of the polytheists, Abbas was
captured during the Battle of Badr. Muhammad allowed
al-Abbas to ransom himself and his nephew.[8]
Ibn Hisham said that Abbas had become a secret Muslim
before the Battle of Badr;[9] but a clear statement to that
effect is missing from Tabari's citation of the same
source.[10][11] It is said by some authorities that he
converted to Islam shortly after the Battle of Badr.[12]
It is elsewhere implied that Abbas did not formally
profess Islam until January 630, just before the fall of
Mecca, twenty years after his wife Lubaba converted.[13]
Muhammad then named him "last of the migrants"
(Muhajirun), which entitled him to the proceeds of the
spoils of war. He was given the right to provide Zamzam
water to pilgrims, a right which was passed down to his
descendants.[1]
Abbas immediately joined Muhammad's army,
participating in the Conquest of Mecca, the Battle of
Hunayn and the Siege of Ta'if. He defended Muhammad
at Hunayn when other warriors deserted him.[14] After
these military exploits, Abbas brought his family to live
in Medina, where Muhammad frequently visited them[15]
and even proposed marriage to his daughter.[16]
Later Abbas fought in the expedition to Tabuk.[14]
Family
Abbas had at least five wives.
1. Lubaba bint al-Harith (Arabic: ‫)لبابة بنت الحارث‬, also
known as Umm al-Fadl, was from the Banu Hilal
tribe. Umm al-Fadl claimed to be the second woman
to convert to Islam, the same day as her close friend
Khadijah, the first wife of Muhammad. Umm al-
Fadl's traditions of the Prophet appear in all
canonical collections of hadiths. She showed her
piety by supernumerary fasting and by attacking
 Abu Lahab, the enemy of the Muslims, with a tent
pole.[17]
2. Fatima bint Junayd, from the Al-Harith clan of the
Quraysh tribe.[18]
3. Hajila bint Jundub ibn Rabia, from the Hilal tribe. [19]
4. Musliya, a Greek concubine.[20][21]
5. Tukana, a Jewish woman from the Qurayza tribe,
whom Abbas married after 632.[22] It is not known
whether any of the children were hers.
The known children of Abbas were:
1. Al-Faraa, who married Qatn ibn Al-Harith, a brother
of Lubaba. Her mother is not named.[23]
The following were all the offspring of Lubaba.[24]
1. Al-Fadl.
2. Abd Allah.
3. Ubayd Allah. Ubayd Allah's daughter Lubaba
married Abbas ibn Ali and had a son Ubayd Allah
ibn Abbas ibn Ali.
4. Qutham.
5. Ma'bad.
6. Abd al-Rahman.
7. Umm Habib.
Other children
1. Al-Harith. His mother is said to have been either
Fatima[18] or Hajila.[19]
2. Awn, whose mother is not named.[25]
3. Mushir, whose mother is not named.[26]
 4. Kathir, son of Musliya.[27]
5. Amina, probably the daughter of Musliya.[20][28]
6. Safiya, probably the daughter of Musliya.[20][28]
7. Tammam, the youngest, son of Musliya.[27]
Death
Abbas died in February 653 at the age of 89. He is buried
at the Jannatul Baqee cemetery in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
[29][30]

Descendants
Further information: Abbasid Caliphate, Abbasid
dynasty, and Caliphate
The Abbasid dynasty founded in 750 by Abu al-ʻAbbās
ʻAbdallāh as-Saffāh better known as As-Saffah claimed
the title of caliph (literally "successor") through their
descent from Abbas's son Abdallah.[31]
Many other families claimed direct descent from Abbas,
including the Kalhoras of Sindh, Daudpotas of
Bahawalpur, Abbasi's of Murree Pakistan, Abbasi's of
Bagh, Azad Kashmir[32] the Berber Banu Abbas,[33] and
the modern-day Bawazir of Yemen[34] and Shaigiya and
Ja'Alin of Sudan.[35]
family tree

Qura
ysh
tribe
 Abd Ātikah
Waq Man bint
ida af Murra
bint ibn h
Amr Qusa
i

Sal
Naw Muṭṭ ma
fal alib Hashi bin
‘Abd
ibn ibn m t
Sha Barra Hala
Abd Abd Am
ms
Man Man r
af af

Um ʿAb
ayy d
a al-
ibn Mu
Abd ṭṭal
Sha ib
ms

Har Abū ʿĀmi ʿAbd Ha Abī Az- al-

 ʿAb
bās
Zu
Ab
al- mz Ṭ āli ba
b nah allāh ū
ʿĀs a b yr
Lah
ab

Kh
ʾAbī MUH Khad awl
ʿAlī ʿAb
Sufy AMM ija ah
al- (Fa d
ān ʿUth ʿAffā AD bint bin
Ḥ ak mily Allā
ibn mān n (Fami Khu t
am tree h
Har ly wayli Ja'
) far
b tree) d

Muha ʿAli
ʿUth mmad ibn
Muʿ Mar mān ibn al- ʿAb
Ruqa Fati
āwiy wān ibn Hanafi dall
yyah mah
ah I I ʿAffā yyah āh
n
 Mu
Abu ha
Hasim mm
al- (Imām ad
Ḥ us of al- "al-
Sufy Mar al-
ayn Mukht Imā
anid wan Ḥ asa
(Fa ār and m"
s ids n
mily Hashi (Ab
tree) miyya) bas
ids)

Ibr al-
āhi Saff
m āḥ a
"al- l-
Im Ma
ām nsu
" r

See also
 List of Sahabah
 List of notable Hijazis
=============================
Abbas ibn Ali
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbas_ibn_Ali
Al-Abbas ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (Arabic: ‫ٱْلَع َّباس ٱْبن َع ِلّي ٱْبن َأِبي‬
‫َطاِلب‬, c. 15 May 647 – 10 October 680 CE), also known
by the kunya Abu al-Fadl (Arabic: ‫َأُبو ٱْلَفْض ل‬, lit. 'father of
virtue'), was a son of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth
Rashid caliph in Sunni Islam and the first Imam Shia
Islam. His mother was Fatima bint Hizam, commonly
known as Umm al-Banin (Arabic: ‫ُأّم ٱْلَبِنين‬, lit. 'mother of
the sons'). Abbas fought as the standard-bearer of his
half-brother Husayn ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala on
10 Muharram 61 AH (10 October 680) against the
army of the Umayyad caliph Yazid ibn Mu'awiya (r.
680–683). He was killed in a desperate attempt to
bring water from the Euphrates river to quench the
unbearable thirst of the besieged family of the Islamic
prophet Muhammad. Abbas is said to have inherited
Ali's boldness and bravery, and was praised by Shia
imams for his faith and fortitude in defending Husayn.
Abbas is regarded by Shia Muslims as an ultimate
paragon of courage and self-sacrifice. The shrine of
Abbas and the nearby mausoleum of Husayn in
Karbala are destinations for pilgrimage.
Titles
The kunya of Abbas was Abu al-Fadl (lit. 'father of
virtue').[1] Another epithet of him was Qamar Bani
Hashim (lit. 'moon of the Hashemites'), and he is often
described as tall and handsome.[2] Abbas is said to
have inherited the boldness and bravery of his father
Ali ibn Abi Talib,[3][2] always carrying the victorious
standard on the battlefield.[2] Abbas is indeed
celebrated as shir-i ghazi (lit. 'the warrior-lion') and
shir-i awzhan (lit. 'the valiant lion') in Persian
language.[1] He is also known as Alam-d'ar
(lit. 'standard-bearer') for his role in the Battle of
Karbala, and as al-Saqqa' (lit. 'the water carrier') and
Abu al-Qirba (qirba means 'a water-skin') for his
desperate attempt on the evening of Ashura to bring
water from the Euphrates river to quench the
unbearable thirst of the besieged Ahl al-Bayt.[2][1] The
Islamicist J. Calmard draws a parallel between Abbas
and Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, an elder son of Ali
and his standard-bearer, saying that Abbas fulfilled
the same warrior functions near Husayn.[2]
Birth and early life
Abbas was born in Medina to Ali and Fatima bint
Hizam ibn Khalid ibn Rabi'a, a woman from the Banu
Kilab tribe.[1] Abbas had three full brothers, named Abd
Allah, Ja'far and Uthman.[2] Their mother Fatima thus
became known as Umm al-Banin (lit. 'mother of the
sons').[1] Abbas' brothers were all killed in the Battle of
Karbala just before him.[2] Some sources refer to him
as al-Abbas al-Akbar (lit. 'the elder/greater Abbas') to
distinguish him from another son of Ali, named al-
Abbas al-Asghar (lit. 'the younger/smaller Abbas').[1]
Abbas' date of birth is disputed. According to the
Sunni historian Ibn Sa'd (d. 845), he had not yet
reached puberty when Ali was assassinated in 661,
whereas some others have written that Abbas was
thirty-four at that time. The Shia scholar Bahr al-Ulum
(d. 1797) reports 4 Shaban 26 (15 May 647) as the
birthdate of Abbas.[1] Naturally, much of what exists in
sources about Abbas is in connection to the Battle of
Karbala.[1]
Battle of Karbala and death (680)
See also: Battle of Karbala
Entrance to the shrine of Abbas
Accession of Yazid
In an appointment that violated earlier agreements
with Ali's eldest son Hasan,[4] the Umayyad caliph
Mu'awiya (r. 661–680) designated his son Yazid (r. 680–
683) as his successor in 676.[5] Yazid is often presented
by Muslim historians as a debaucher who openly
violated the Islamic norms,[6][7][8] and his nomination
was indeed met with resistance at the time from sons
of some prominent companions of the Islamic prophet
Muhammad, including Husayn ibn Ali.[9][10] On
Mu'awiya's death and Yazid's accession in 680, the
latter instructed the governor of Medina to secure
Husayn's pledge of allegiance by force, and Husayn
immediately left for Mecca to avoid recognizing Yazid
as the caliph.[11] He was accompanied by some
relatives, including Abbas.[1]
Journey to Karbala
After receiving letters of support from Kufans, whose
intentions were confirmed by his cousin Muslim ibn
Aqil, Husayn left Mecca for Kufa on 8 or 10 Dhu al-
Hijja (10 or 12 September 680), accompanied by few
relatives and supporters.[11] A tradition attributed to
Husayn identifies his intention as fighting the tyranny
of Yazid, even though it would cost his life, as reported
in al-Irshad, a biographical work by the prominent
Shia scholar al-Mufid (d. 1022).[12][13] Husayn similarly
wrote in his will for his brother Ibn Hanafiyya that he
had not set out to seek "corruption or oppression" but
rather to "enjoin what is right and forbid what is
wrong."[14] At any rate, on their way to Kufa, Husayn's
small caravan was intercepted by Yazid's army and
forced to camp in the desert land of Karbala on 2
Muharram 61 (2 October 680) away from water and
fortifications.[11] The promised Kufan support did not
materialize as the new governor of Kufa, Ubayd Allah
ibn Ziyad (d. 686), killed the envoy of Husayn and
intimidated Kufan tribal chiefs.[11]
Water shortage
On 7 Muharram,[15] on orders of Ibn Ziyad, the
Umayyad commander Umar ibn Sa'd (d. 686) cut off
Husayn's access to the Euphrates river.[16][11] Abbas
and some fifty companions were nevertheless able to
bring back some water to Husayn's camp in a night
sortie.[11] Despite this attempt, the Islamicist L. Veccia
Vaglieri (d. 1989) believes that the camp suffered from
thirst for three days.[17] Among other experts, D.
Pinault similarly writes that the camp suffered from
thirst and hunger during the siege,[18] and the opinion
of A. Hamdar is close.[19] Karbala has a hot desert
climate.[20][21]
Negotiations
Ibn Sa'd was instructed by Ibn Ziyad not to let Husayn
leave unless he pledged his allegiance to Yazid.[16]
Husayn did not submit to Yazid,[11][17] but negotiated
with Ibn Ziyad through Ibn Sa'd to be allowed to
retreat and avoid bloodshed. The governor did not
relent, however,[17][11] and finally ordered Ibn Sa'd to
fight, kill, and disfigure Husayn and his supporters
unless they pledged allegiance to Yazid, in which case
their fate would be decided later.[11]
Safe passage
As a member of the Banu Kilab, the Umayyad
commander Shamir ibn Dhi al-Jawshan acquired safe
passage for Abbas and his three (full) brothers from
Ibn Ziyad. According to the early historian Abu
Mikhnaf (d. 773–774), Ibn Ziyad's letter of protection
was sent to Abbas and his brothers, who refused it,
"God's protection is better than the one offered by
Sumayya's son [Ibn Ziyad]." Shamir extended again
this offer to Abbas and his brothers on the eve of the
battle, but they remained defiant and pledged their full
support to Husayn.[1]
Tasu'a
Ibn Sa'd decided to attack on Tasu'a (9 Muharram)
after the afternoon prayer. As the Umayyad army
approached, however, Husayn dispatched Abbas and
some companions, who tell Ibn Sa'd to delay the
confrontation until the following day.[1][11] Husayn now
besieged his followers in a speech to leave and not risk
their lives for his sake, after which Abbas was the first
to renew his support, saying that he would follow his
brother in life or death.[1] Nearly all those present
stayed with Husayn until the end.[11][21][22] Husayn and
his companions spent that night praying and reading
the Quran,[23] as reported by the Shia jurist Ibn Tawus
(d. 1266) and in most maqatil works.[24] On this night,
Zaynab bint Ali is said to have reminded her half-
brother Abbas of their father's wish for the latter to be
the reserves of Karbala, and to be to Husayn as Ali was
to Muhammad. This Abbas confirmed and swore to do.
[25]
There is a report by Ibn Tawus that Abbas was
killed on Tasu'a in a failed sally to bring water,[2][24]
though most traditions place his death on Ashura.[2]
Ashura

Abbas, riding a white horse in the Battle of Karbala, oil

on canvas,
c. 1868–1933
On the morning of Ashura (10 Muharram), Husayn
organized his supporters, some seventy-two men,[17]
and designated Abbas as his standard-bearer, an
indication of his privileged position among the
companions.[1] Husayn then spoke to the enemy lines
and asked them why they considered it lawful to kill
the grandson of Muhammad.[17] The Umayyad
commander al-Hurr ibn Yazid al-Tamimi defected to
Husayn's side, probably after this speech.[26] The
Umayyad army then showered the camp with arrows,
[17]
thus commencing the battle which lasted from
morning till sunset and consisted of incidents of single
combat, skirmishes, assaults, and retreats.[11] On one
occasion, Abbas helped rescue a group of companions
who were surrounded by enemy horsemen.[1] By the
early afternoon, however, the companions had all
fallen and were followed by the Banu Hashim.[27]
Death
The Sunni historians al-Tabari (d. 923) and al-
Baladhuri (d. 892) are silent in their works about the
details of Abbas' death.[2][17] Veccia Vaglieri, however,
argues that there must have existed traditions about
his death and that those were reported by al-Mufid,[17]
to the effect that Abbas and Husayn were separated
when they attempted to reach the Euphrates in the
ultimate episode of the battle, adding that Abbas
fought valiantly until the end.[2][17] Another well-known
account is reported by the Shia scholar Ibn Tawus and
some others:[2] Perhaps anguished by the cries of
Husayn's thirsty children,[28] Abbas set out for the
Euphrates on the eve of Ashura and managed to fill his
water-skin, but was blocked by the enemy near the
river bank, far from Husayn's camp.[1] Fighting alone,
both his arms were severed and he was then killed.[2]
When Husayn's last warrior fell, the Umayyad army
converged on the lone imam, who also fought until the
end.[21] The account by the Sufi scholar H. Kashefi (d.
1504) in his Rawzat al-shohada differs in that it places
Abbas as the sixty-eighth casualty before Mohammad
ibn Ali, Ali al-Akbar, and Ali al-Asghar.[2] Zayd ibn
Varqa' Hanafi and Hakim ibn al-Tofayl San'ani are
named as the murderers of Abbas in al-Irshad.[2] Abu
Mikhnaf in his Maqtal adds that Husayn wept bitterly
when his brother fell.[29] Maqatil al-Talibiyyin by the
early historian Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani (d. 967) reports
that the murderer of Abbas dreamed of being flung
into hell every night,[30] while reports attributed to the
Shia imams Ali ibn al-Husayn (d. 713) and Ja'far al-
Sadiq (d. 765) highly praise Abbas for his faith and
fortitude in defending Husayn.[1]
Credibility
Among others, al-Mufid argues that Abbas' burial
place, far from Husayn and his companions, adds to
the credibility of this account, which is also
corroborated by another report about Abbas' death
attributed to Ali ibn al-Husayn. In support of this
account, the Islamicist A. Bahramian and his co-
author note that the traditional supplications for
pilgrims contain references to Abbas' mission to fetch
water and his arms being severed. The two authors
also note that Abbas later became known as al-Saqqa'
(lit. 'the water carrier') and Abu al-Qirba (qirba means
'a water-skin').[1]
After his death
After the battle, some Umayyad soldiers stripped
Abbas' garments,[1][22] and his corpse was thus
dishonored.[31] As with Husayn and his other
companions, the head of Abbas was severed and
brought to Yazid in Damascus,[2] in his case by
Harmala ibn K'ahil al-Asadi.[1]
Shrine

The tomb of Abbas in the center, surrounded by

pilgrims
Abbas was buried by some men of the Banu Asad tribe
from nearby al-Ghadiriyya village, at the same place
where he was killed. A tomb was later erected over his
grave.[17][32] Abbas' shrine now has a golden dome and
is located to the north-east of Husayn's mausoleum.
Both shrines are built on a mound overlooking the city
of Karbala,[2] which has become a destination for
pilgrimage and a center for religious learning.[32] There
exist special prayers and rituals for pilgrims and
several Muslim figures are buried in the precinct of
Abbas' shrine.[2] There are also other shrines
associated with Abbas elsewhere, including an old
shrine near Tehran, considered by the locals to be the
tomb of Abd Allah ibn Abbas.[1]
Descendants
Abbas had a young son named Ubayd Allah, born to
Lubaba bint Ubayd Allah, the grand-daughter of Abbas
ibn Abd al-Muttalib. This son was likely taken captive
after the Battle of Karbala, and the lineage of Abbas
continued through him. In particular, the poetry by
Abbas' descendants is collected in one of the chapters
in al-Awraq by the Abbasid-era author al-Suli (d. 946–
947). One of his descendants was Abbas ibn al-Hasan
al-Alawi, who reached fame as a poet and scholar
during the reigns of the Abbasid caliphs, al-Rashid (r.
786–809) and al-Ma'mun (r. 813–833). The Zanj
rebellion was ignited in Iraq and Bahrain in the ninth
century by Ali ibn Muhammad Sahib al-Zanj, who
claimed descent from Abbas.[1] However, this claim has
been disputed by some historians.[33]
Significance in Shia Islam
Abbas is regarded in Shia Islam as an ultimate
paragon of courage, chivalry, love, sincerity, and self-
sacrifice. Shias make the supplication of tawassul to
Abbas, thus requesting him to join his prayers with
them. Abbas is thus associated in Shia with the
alleviation of grief and suffering. Serious oaths are
made in his name, and Shias distribute food for
charity as part of vows (nadhrs) made in the name of
Abbas.[1]
Muharram rituals
Tasu'a (9 Muharram) is devoted in Shia as the day of
mourning for Abbas.[1] He is celebrated in religious
passion-plays (ta'zies) as the water carrier of the Ahl
al-Bayt and the standard bearer of Husayn.[2] The
ta'zie of Abbas' death is among the oldest passion-
plays and is frequently performed throughout the year.
[1]
The green standards (alams) carried in Muharram
processions are often adorned on top with a metal
hand (panja) representing Abbas' severed hand, with
outstretched fingers that symbolize the Ahl al-Bayt.[2][1]
They are engraved with the invocations such as Ya
hazrat-e Abbas (lit. 'O, exalted Abbas') or Ya Abu al-
Fadl.[2] Food and water are also distributed for charity
in his name.[2] From West Indies to the island of Java,
Sunnis and Hindus also commonly participate in most
Shia Muharram rituals.[2]
Religious art
Abbas is heavily featured in Shia art. Verses of poetry
about him and his likeness historically appear in
public religious buildings, particularly in the tile work
(kashik'ari) of saqqa-khanas (public drinking-water
repositories), husayniyyas and takiyyas (both are
places to commemorate Husayn), and zur-khanahs
(traditional Persian gymnasiums). Abbas is depicted in
religious paintings often seated on a white horse and
holding Husayn's banner while fighting enemies or
holding a water-skin and surrounded by the
womenfolk and children of the Ahl al-Bayt.[1]
Significance in Bektashism
Main article: Abbas Ali Türbe
According to the traditions of the Bektashi Order, a
Sufi community based primarily in Albania, Abbas ibn
Ali (Albanian: Abaz Aliu) went to Albania on a white
horse to save it from the barbarians and continues to
return to Mount Tomorr in Albania for five days
(August 20–25) each year, during which animal
sacrifices are made and homage is paid to Abbas.
During these five days, Bektashi pilgrims visit the
Abbas Ali Türbe, a mausoleum (Albanian: mekam)
believed to house the remains of Abbas. The
mausoleum is located on the southern peak of the
Mount Tomorr, which was originally constructed in
1620. The mausoleum lies adjacent to the Bektashi
tekke on Mount Tomorr, which was built in 1916.
=========================
Dimitris Almyrantis
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Lover of stories the world has forgotten (2016-present)
5y
Related
Why are Sunnis negligent of the tragedy of Karbala,
and why do Shias venerate the descendants of the
prophet due to this incident?
…why do Shias venerate the descendants of the
prophet…?
This has nothing to do with the Shi’a. Historically, the
entire Islamic world venerated descendants of the
Prophet, often to much, much higher degrees than in
modern Shi’a countries. Just as (e.g.) in modern Iran
clerics who are Sayyids are entitled to wear a black
turban as opposed to a regular white one, all Sayyids
in the Ottoman world were entitled to wear a unique
green turban to tell them apart from everybody else.
Even a cursory look at Islamic history from Morocco to
Somalia to Indonesia turns up the universal and
common veneration: grandees’ names are studded with
title Sayyid wherever they can, Prophetic genealogies
are ubiquitous, and the most revered spiritual leaders
anyplace had a 50–50% chance to be Sayyids by
default. This veneration still lives in much of the Sunni
world; Morocco is still under the religious and
monarchical leadership of a Sharifian dynasty, and
Jordan is still a Hashemite monarchy. Locally, the
same holds true to large degrees in many places.
The modern wave to reject this veneration started in
Saudi Arabia, for the rather obvious reason that that
hereditary kingdom started when another family took
over the lands of the descendants of the Prophet the
old-fashioned way, and gave preferential religious
treatment to another clan (the as-Sheikh) rather than
the Ahlulbayt. This is the same logic that led the family
of Muawiyah to fight Ali’s family, after all.*
*in traditional Arab culture, what your family is
defines who you are. In old Bedu society [similar to any
society with nobility, really] a man couldn’t be
‘honorable’ unless he was descended from a line of
honorable men, no matter his personal deeds. Even
the elective Rashidun caliphate [shura] remembered
fondly in Sunni doctrine was made up by, and chose
among, a small number of honorable tribal lineages,
not personally virtuous but ignoble men.
==========================
Sarosh Sohail
Follow
Muslim 5y
Related
Why are Sunnis negligent of the tragedy of Karbala,
and why do Shias venerate the descendants of the
prophet due to this incident?
Sunnis are not oblivious of the tragedy of Karbala.
Sunnis also, listen to lectures by their scholars about
this incident. But you know these incidents and details
change from scholar to scholar.
Actually, the real problem is that Sunnis do not agree
with ‘Matam’ (Wailing and hitting your own self). As
Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) said;
“He is not one of us who strikes his cheeks, rends
his garment, or cries with the cry of the
Jaahiliyyah.”
It was common in days of ignorance before the advent
of Holy Prophet (S.A.W. W). It was a ritual to invite
special women for weeping and wailing over dead. So,
it is totally forbidden in Islam. At least, it is the belief
of Sunnis. We do not know how Shias justify this
Matam. Their matam and rituals on this day also
challenge sanity. Like honouring a common horse
considering it the horse of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A).
So, this day holds a great importance in Islamic
history. Sunnis also observe fast on 9th and 10th
Muharram because our Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W)
allowed us to do so. Sunnis also love and respect
Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A), because our Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.W) said;
“Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain.
Allah loves whosoever loves Hussain.”
The incident of Karbala is a heartrending incident but
it occurred according to the will of Allah. Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.W) knew about this incident but he never wept
or tried to stop it. So, who we are to lament and wail.
May Allah bless you.
Thanks for reading!
===========================