At the Battlefield [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Part 13 - The Killing of Al-Abbas and his Brothers

When Abbas saw the death toll mounting amongst members of his family, he said to his
brothers, Abdullah, 0thman and Ja'far, "0 Sons of my mother! Go forth to meet the
enemy so that I may bear witness that you kept your covenant with Allah and His
Apostle". He turned to Abdullah who was older than Othman and said to him, "Come
forward, brother, so that I may witness your killing and thus be considered (by
God)". So, they all fought in the presence of their brother, Al-Abbas till they were
killed.

Al-Abbas reached the tether of his patience not to follow in the footsteps of his
brethren and companions, especially when he could see that "The proof of the
Time", Imam Hussain is getting increasingly beleaguered, his supply root cut, the
screams of women and the crying of children, who were thirsty, filled his ears. He,
therefore, asked his brother to allow him to meet the enemy in combat. Since Abbas was the
most valued asset Hussain cherished because the enemy are wary of his attack and fearful
of his courage, and the women feel safe and secure so long as they saw the standard
hoisted, Imam Hussain did not wish to part company with him and said, "0 Brother! You
are the bearer of my flag".

"Hussain placated Abbas, with calm:

Amity's balm seeks; hurt Islam

Restrain your wrath, my brother brave,

A battle, to precipitate, we don't crave,

'Tis prudent, now to peer ahead,

Don't let them act in haste - instead.

Intellect, sound, they have none

Antagonism, to them is a thrilling fun

Nothing is worse than want of zeal

Its lack can a nation's fortune seal

But aimless zeal is folly's trap

In wisdom's fort 'tis a mighty gap

Their show of passion is not zeal

This pseudo-zeal only varlets feel.

Peoples sans vision were destroyed

The prudent, e'er, vision employed

Canting spivs they all are,

Despicable insensates can't look far.

We hope our "passive defence" does work,

A "defence offensive" till last we shirk.

My cool appraisal of this mess,

Is a genuine effort to forestall distress.

The stakes are dreadfully high,

Staggering results it will imply.

Erupt will battle - will get worse,

They crave and yearn for the divine curse.

Abbas replied, "I am sick and tired of these hypocrites, and I want to exact my
revenge on them". Hussain ordered him. to ask them for water for the children. Abbas
approached the enemy, preached and warned them of the wrath of the Almighty but to no
avail! He shouted as high as he could, "0 son of Sa'ad! This is Hussain the son of
the daughter of the Prophet. You have killed members of his family and companions."

"All what is left are his womenfolk and children who are thirsty. Quench their
thirst with water for they may die of it". He, nevertheless, was pleading
with them to let Imam Hussain and what was left of his household to leave Hijaz for the
land of the Romans or the Indians. His words found sympathy with some of the crowd so much
so that they cried. But ash-Shimr shouted, "0 son of Abu Turab (one of Imam Ali's
titles)! Even if the whole of the earth's surface were awash and we were in control, we
would have never allowed you access to it, unless you pledge allegiance to Yazid."

Left my bank my honoured guests

Swamped was I by the swarm of pests.

Shorn of the honour; I was robbed

Wept through waves, through swells I sobbed.

Lamented my ripples, my flow did wail,

Inherit I did, thus, a dolorous tale.

Water, my guests were refused, en bloc,

Agonised I was, distraught, with shock.

This torrid zone and simmering land,

None (sans water) could stand

Capture me if not they did

To counter the foe's obnoxious bid

if access to me they didn't attempt

Die of thirst they will, it meant."

Abbas returned to his brother Hussain to advise him how the enemy were adamant not to
give them water. In the meantime, he heard the children crying of thirst. He could not
take it any more; his Hashimite ardour left him no room for manoeuver nor more
forbearance, He took the skin water container with the intention of bringing water. He was
surrounded by some 4,000 troops who shot at him with their arrows. He did not fear their
multitudes. The standard hoisted over his head, He started attacking them causing them to
flee in front of him. His gallantry used to remind them of his father, Imam Ali who used
to annihilate brave and formidable foes in the battlefield. Thus, they did not stand their
ground in the face of his determined and ferocious attacks. He managed to reach the
waterline of the River Euphrates with fortitude.

He took a handful of water to drink whereupon he remembered the thirst of Imam Hussain
and those who were with him. He threw the water away choosing not to drink out of empathy
with his kinship.