The image of the Prophet
Ali al-Akbar (a), the eldest son of Imam Husayn (a), was born in Madinah on 11 Sha'ban 33 AH. Of all the family he most resembled the Prophet (s) in face, voice and manner, so that his father said that whoever wished to look on the Messenger of God should look at him. He was about twenty-seven at Karbala, and it was he who, on the road from Makkah, answered his father's foreboding with the words: are we not in the right? Then we do not fear death.
Ashura
When the companions had all been martyred, Ali al-Akbar was the first of Banu Hashim to ask his father's leave to fight. He went out reciting his lineage, fought until thirst overcame him, returned to his father to complain of it, and went back to be struck down with a sword-blow to the head and a spear to the chest. The Imam laid his cheek on his son's face and called down God's anger on the killers.
Observance
He is buried at his father's feet in the shrine of Karbala, and pilgrims greet him in the Ziyarah before the other martyrs. His birthday is Youth Day in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the eighth night of Muharram is his in the majalis.
Written for Shia Online Community. Dates and facts are checked against the references listed under Research & books; where the tradition records more than one date, all are given.
