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A Loyalty Like None Other: Hazrat Abbas (as) and the Battle of Karbala
The shield of Hussain (as). The protector of children. The symbol of devotion in the Battle of Karbala.
Hazrat Abbas (as) wasn’t just the brother of Imam Hussain (as). He was his shield, his standard-bearer, and the protector of the weak.
He lived for a cause greater than himself. And he died for a cause that would go down in history.
Learn more about the Battle of Karbala here.
The Flag That Never Fell
Appointed as the standard-bearer of Imam Hussain’s (as) army, Hazrat Abbas (as) carried the banner of truth and dignity.
The flag of Karbala represented far more than just a military order. It symbolized faith itself.
He never wavered in his mission to serve his Imam and protect the values of Islam, even until his noble death.
Loyalty Without Limits
One of the most powerful moments of the Battle of Karbala was when Hazrat Abbas (as) reached the Euphrates River to fetch water for the parched children of Imam Hussain (as).
He was wounded, exhausted, and dehydrated. But his loyalty ran deeper than his thirst.
Hazrat Abbas (as) looked at the water, but remembered the children crying and Imam Hussain (as) still thirsty.
He whispered: “Al-Husayn (as) has come face to face with death and yet you want to drink cold and delicious water? I swear upon Allah that this is not in accordance with the dictates of my religion!” Read more about his last words here.
He turned away from the river. He choose devotion over desire, sacrifice over self.
A Brother’s Love in Life and Death
Even in his final moments, as his arms were severed and his body broken by Yazid’s army, Hazrat Abbas (as) didn’t call out for help.
He knew the pain it would cause Imam Hussain (as) to see him fall. So he stayed silent, still trying to fulfill his mission, and still trying to protect his brother from grief.
Such was the loyalty of Hazrat Abbas (as).
The Everlasting Legacy of Hazrat Abbas (as)
Hazrat Abbas (as) wasn’t just a warrior of Islam. He was a lesson in what it means to be a true believer of Ahlulbayt (as).
He taught us that true faith means giving without hesitation, standing for justice without fear, and loving the Ahlulbayt (as) with every ounce of our being.
Honor Abbas (as) Today
One of the most heartbreaking symbols of Karbala was thirst. The children cried, and Abbas (as) tried to answer.
Honor Abbas’s sacrifice by bringing water to today’s thirsty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (as) was the son of Imam Ali (as) and the brother of Imam Hussain (as). He played a pivotal role in the Battle of Karbala as the standard-bearer of Imam Hussain’s (as) army and is revered for his loyalty, bravery, and unwavering support for truth.
He was appointed by Imam Hussain (as) to carry the standard (flag) of his army during the Battle of Karbala. The flag symbolized the cause of justice, and Hazrat Abbas (as) held it high until his martyrdom – never letting it fall, even in the face of brutal wounds.
Despite extreme thirst and injury, Hazrat Abbas (as) refused to drink from the Euphrates River when he reached it. He chose instead to bring water for the thirsty children in Imam Hussain’s (as) camp—embodying selflessness, devotion, and honor in one of the most emotional moments of Karbala.
Out of deep love and concern for Imam Hussain (as), Hazrat Abbas (as) chose not to call for help, knowing how heartbroken his brother would be to see him fall. Even in his final moments, he prioritized his Imam’s emotional burden over his own suffering.
Hazrat Abbas (as) requested that Imam Hussain (as) not take his body back to the tents, as he had promised to bring back water for the children. His final wish was to fulfill his mission, even in death—reflecting his unmatched loyalty and humility.
Hazrat Abbas (as) is remembered as a model of ultimate devotion, sacrifice, and courage. During Muharram, millions mourn his loss and honor his legacy by supporting causes like clean water access, symbolizing his final mission to quench the thirst of the innocent.
