The Flag Bearer of Karbala

During the Battle of Siffeen, a young warrior from Maulana Ali’s^AS army had Mauwiya’s troops on the run. So worried was Muawiya that he called his greatest warrior, a skilled fighter who could fight 1,000 horsed warriors at a time.

“Kill this young warrior at all costs!” Muawaiyah bellowed.

“You know who I am!” the great warrior replied, “You want me to fight this juvenile!”

“Then what should we do!” Muawiyah asked.

“I have seven sons.” The warrior replied, “Each one of them is an accomplished fighter. They will take care of him.”

The great warrior sent his sons to fight the youngster. But, they were no match for his skill. One by one he defeated all his sons. Enraged, the great warrior charged into battle himself. A fierce battle ensued between the two warriors. The young warrior swung his sword with such force he cut the experienced fighter into two.

The troops on both sides were in awe of the young warrior’s valor and skill. Who was this armored soldier who had single-handedly defeated such a great warrior and his sons? Who, beside Maulana Ali^AS himself, possessed such courage and strength?

Maulana Ali^AS summoned the young warrior to him. He came and bowed his head before him and removed his helmet. “It is the Qamar of Bani Hashim! It is Abbas ibn Ali!” everyone exclaimed.

Maulana Ali^AS kissed his son’s forehead, “Leave the battlefield my son!” he said, “I fear the enemy’s eyes on you.”

That day in Siffeen Maulana Ali^AS made sure Maulana Abbas^AS would be present with Imam Husain^AS in Karbala. He had seen his son’s prowess in battle and he knew Imam Husain^AS would need him when the fateful battle of Ashura commenced.

Maulana Abbas^AS had been by Imam Husain’s^AS side ever since he embarked on his journey to Karbala. He had helped him set up camp in Karbala. He had been the pillar of strength for the haram. He was the source of motivation and courage for the small army of 72. With Maulana Abbas^AS leading the charge, Imam Husain^AS had nothing to worry.

But today Maulana Abbas^AS was worried. His young nephews and brothers had fallen in the battlefield. The small children were crying with thirst. The six month old Aliasger’s thirsty bawls were shattering his heart. Maulana Abbas^AS wanted to quench their thirst. The thousands of enemies didn’t worry him. They were inconsequential for the son of Malana Ali^AS. But the words of his brother Imam Husain^AS were echoing in his ears: “O Abbas! Will you leave your brother Husain alone and depart? You are the son of Ali. You are my support, my strength.”

How could he go now? He could not leave Imam Husain^AS alone. Maulana Ali^AS had saved him for this day. He was the backbone of Imam Husain’s^AS resistance. But he could not bear the sight of the children writhing in thirst. What good were his battle skills if he couldn’t get water for Imam Husain’s^AS children? No enemy could stop him from reaching the water. The enemies trembled at the sight of Maulana Abbas^AS. But how could he face Imam Husain^AS and ask for permission now?

Imam Husain^AS was looking at the radiant face of his brother Abbas^AS. They called him Qamar e Bani Hashim (the moon of the Hashimite clan). His beauty and his bravery were renowned. Even in the face of such fearsome enemy onslaught, having Maulana Abbas^AS by his side put Imam Husain^AS at ease. And now Maulana Abbas^AS was asking permission to get water. Imam Husain^AS thought about the outcome of this conquest and tears rolled down his cheeks. How could he let Maulana Abbas^AS go? He is the commander of his army. The army is because of its commander. No, Abbas^AS had to stay.

Just then, young Maulatona Sakina^AS walked up to Maulana Abbas^AS, “O Uncle Abbas!” she cried, “I cannot endure the thirst anymore. I know you would never let your beloved niece remain thirsty!”

Maulana Abbas^AS looked up at Husain with renewed enthusiasm, “O Maula Husain!” Maulana Abbas^AS beseeched, “Please allow me to get water for your children!”

Imam Husain^AS agreed to this, as his tears drenched his beard. “Go, o brother Abbas!” Imam Husain^AS said, “But before you go, embrace me one last time.”

Both brothers hugged each other and cried for a long time. Finally, Maulana Abbas^AS took Sakina’s^AS water bag and headed towards Furaat. Imam Husain^AS knew what was about to happen. Tears kept flowing as he watched Maulana Abbas^AS leave for the last time.

As Maulana Abbas^AS rode into the battlefield and the enemies scurried for cover. No one wanted to face Abbas. The sight of this great warrior riding towards them sent shivers down their spines. The few who dared to face him were cast aside with a single swipe of his sword. In the blink of an eye Maulana Abbas^AS was on the banks of river Furaat filling up Sakina’s water bag.

Instinctively, he cupped some water in the palms of his hands. He was about to drink his first sip of water in 3 days. They had spent 3 days in the relentless heat of Karbala. He had to fight his way back to the khaimah. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to drink the water. He could not drink while the little children were still crying with thirst. He could not drink while young Sakina was still waiting for her uncle to bring her water. He could not drink while Imam Husain^AS was waiting for his brother to return. Maulana Abbas^AS threw away the water and mounted his horse. He turned back to the khaimah eager to get back to Sakina. The water bag was secured in his right hand while he urged his horse to hurry back with the left.

The enemies were hiding behind the palms. No one wanted to face the charging Abbas ibn Ali^AS. But, they knew they had to stop him. Imam Husain’s^AS 72 warriors had fought valiantly for 3 days without having any food or water. What would they do if they got water? Hiding from behind the trees they attacked Maulana Abbas^AS with spears and arrows.

An enemy cut off Maulana Abbas’s^AS right hand with an arrow. Maulana Abbas^AS secured the water bag in his left hand and kept going without missing a stride. Another enemy cut off his left hand. Maulana Abbas^AS secured the water bag in his mouth. Nothing mattered to him except the water and the thought of young Sakina waiting for his return. He charged on with the single goal of getting the water back to the khaimah. An arrow hit the water bag. As the water spilled out so did Maulana Abbas’^AS determination. With the water gone, his goal was destroyed. He fell to the ground and called out to Imam Husain^AS.

Imam Husain^AS reached Maulana Abbas^AS in the blink of an eye. He was devastated to see the mighty Abbas^AS massacred in the battlefield, his body drenched in blood. His hands and legs had been cut off. The pierced water bag was lying beside him. With the last breaths of Maulana Abbas^AS, Imam Husain felt his own strength being sapped away from him. The loss of Maulana Abbas^AS would embolden the enemy. Imam Husain^AS had lost his commander. Now the enemy had no one to fear.