*ABBAS THE BRAVE, GUARDS THE CAMP OF THE HOLY IMAM:
*
The camp of the Holy Imam contained the ladies and the children of the House of the Holy Prophet. Apprehending a surprise attack from the enemy's forces which consisted of people who had turned treacherous to the Holy Imam and his family, a ditch was dug around the camp and fire was lighted the whole night and Abbas the Brave, guarded the camp in a vigil the whole night walking around it with his sword in his hand mindful of the safety of the Holy Imam and the inmates of the camp, with a vigilant eye on the ranks of the enemy.
Then came the day of Ashura, after Zuhr prayers one by one the brave companions of Imaam Hussain fell in the battle field. At last only Imaam Hussain, Ali Akber and Hazrat Abbas were left. Imaam Zainul 'Abideen lay sick in his tent.
Several times Hazrat Abbas asked Imaam Hussain for permission to go and fight. Each time Imaam Hussain would reply "Abbas, you are the captain of my army, you are my 'alamdaar - the standard bearer". Hazrat Abbas would never argue with Imaam Hussain. His three brothers were killed in the battle fought after Zuhr. Imaam Hussain could see the anger in Hazrat Abbas's eyes, especially when Hazrat Qasim's body was trampled upon by the enemy. Imaam Hussain knew that if he let Abbas go and fight, there would be a massacre in the enemy rank. Imaam Hussain's object was to re-awaken Islam and not to score a victory on the battle field.
Just then Bibi Sakina came out holding a dried up mask. She walked up to Hazrat Abbas and said "AL ATASH, YA AMMAHU! I am thirsty O my uncle Abbas !" Abbas went to Imaam Hussain and requested for permission to go and get water for Sakina. Imaam Hussain gave his permission. Abbas put Sakina's mashk on the 'alam, mounted his horse and rode up to Imaam Hussain. He said "I have come to say goodbye". Imaam Hussain said "My brother, come and embrace me". Hazrat Abbas dismounted his horse. There were tears in Imaam's eyes. As Hazrat Abbas prepared to mount his horse, Imaam Hussain said, "My brother, I want a gift from you. I want your sword". Hazrat Abbas, without uttering a word, gave Imaam Hussain his sword and rode into the battlefield, armed only with a spear and holding the 'alam.
There were 30,000 enemy soldiers in the battlefield. They had all heard of the valour of Hazrat Abbas. A cry arose, "Abbas is coming!" Yazeed's soldiers started hiding behind one another. A few brave ones dared go near Hazrat Abbas but were soon put to death by the spear or by a kick.
Hazrat Abbas reached the river Furaat. He filled the mashk with water. He himself was very thirsty. He took the water in his palms, looked at it and threw it away saying, "O water of Furaat, my lips can welcome you only after Sakina has quenched her thirst !?" He placed the mashk on his 'alam and started to ride back.
Umar ibn Sa'ad cried out, "Do not let that water reach Hussain's camp, otherwise we shall all be doomed!"
A soldier climbed a tree and as Abbas was riding past the tree he struck his sword on the right shoulder The spear and the arm fell on to the ground. Just then someone crept behind Hazrat Abbas and struck him on the left shoulder. The 'alam fell. Hazrat Abbas gripped the mashk with his teeth. His one object was to get the water to Sakina. Fighting with his feet he urged the horse to get him to Imaam's camp as quickly as possible.
Alas ! an arrow was shot. It went flying across the desert and hit the mashk. The water began to pour out and with the water all the hopes of Hazrat Abbas poured on to the sands of Kerbala to be buried forever in the thirsty desert. Abbas now did not want to go back and face Sakina. With his feet, he signalled the horse to turn back. The enemy surrounded him from all sides. Abbas fell from the horse!! As he fell, he cried out "My salaams to you Ya Mawla!"
Imaam Hussain seemed to lose all his strength when he heard the voice of his dear brother Abbas.
When Hazrat Abbas left to go to fetch water, Imaam stood at the gate of the camp watching the 'alam. Sakina was standing next to Imaam Hussain, also with her eyes fixed on the 'alam. When Abbas reached the river bank and bent down to fill the mashk, the 'alam disappeared from sight. Sakina was frightened and looked at her father. Imaam said, 'Sakina, your uncle Abbas is at the river bank'. Sakina smiled and said, 'Alhamdulillah !' and called out all the children to welcome Abbas. When Hazrat Abbas lost both arms, the 'alam fell onto the ground. Sakina could see it no longer! She looked at Imaam Hussain, but he turned his face away. Sakina began to tremble with fear and her eyes filled with tears. She raised her hands and prayed, 'Ya Allah! Do not let them kill my uncle Abbas! I will never ask for water again!' and ran inside to her mother.
Imaam Hussain reached where Hazrat Abbas was lying. It was a tragic sight. Hazrat Abbas was lying on the ground. Both arms had been severed! There was an arrow in the right eye and blood blocked the left eye. As soon as Hazrat Abbas sensed the presence of Imaam Hussain he said "Mawla, why did you take the trouble to come over? Please go back and look after Sakina." Imaam Hussain said, "My dear brother, all your life you have served me and my children. Is there anything I can do for you at this last moment of your life ?" Hazrat Abbas replied, "Aqaa, please, clean the blood from my eye so that I can see your beloved face before I die!" Imaam cleaned the blood. Abbas fixed his gaze on Imaam. Then he said, "Mawla please do not carry my body to the camp. I do not wish Sakina to see me in this state!" Imaam Hussain took Hazrat Abbas in his arms, and kissed his forehead. Just then our Mawla, our Mushkil Kushaa, Abbas ibne Ali breathed his last. Imaam Hussain placed Sakina's mashk on the 'alam and carried the 'alam to the camp. He went to Bibi Zainab's tent. Imaam Hussain could not say a word. He gave the 'alam to Bibi Zainab and sat down on the floor! The brother sister performed aza-e-Abbas.
**
jahañ bhee panee o mashkoalam kee baat chalee
ridaey fatima zehra bhee saat saat chalee
terey katey huay bazu hayat panee kee
terey badan ka paseena zakat panee kee
Ya Abbas!
Ya Abbas!
**
merey maula teree wafa ko salam
sakina teree piyaas (thirst) ko salam.
ashke aza,
shair-e-ahlebait!