The Moon of Banu Hashim
Abbas b. Ali (a) was born in Madinah on 4 Sha'ban 26 AH, the eldest son of Imam Ali (a) by Umm al-Banin. Tradition says the Imam wept over the infant's arms, foreseeing that they would be cut off in the cause of his brother. He grew into a man of such bearing that he was called the Moon of Banu Hashim, and was raised at his father's side through the battles of the caliphate.
Karbala
At Karbala he was the commander and standard-bearer of his brother's small camp and its water-carrier, twice reaching the Euphrates through the enemy lines. On the day of Ashura he filled the water-skin for the children but, thirsty as he was, refused to drink before them; on the way back his right arm and then his left were cut off, the skin was pierced by an arrow, and he was struck down. Imam Husayn (a) is reported to have said that his back was broken by his brother's death.
Why he is honoured
The Shia regard Abbas (a) as the model of loyalty, courage and obedience to the Imam, and turn to him as a door of needs; his shrine at Karbala stands opposite his brother's, and the day of Tasu'a is his. His birthday is Veterans' Day in Iran.
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.
