Salaam Alaykum everyone,
My name is Armaan-Abbas. Today, I will be talking about a very well-known Shaheed at the Battle of Karbala, Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (as), brother of our 4th Imam (as) and son of our 3rd Imam (as).
He was born on the 11th Shaban 33 AH.
Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (as) was very well-known for his beauty. He resembled the Prophet Muhammad (saww) and it is said that he was even more beautiful than Hazrat Yusuf (as). Whenever Imam Husayn (as) wanted to remember the Prophet (saww) he would look at Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (as). His adhans also sounded very similar the the Prophet (saww) and soothed his father’s ears.
By the 7th Muharram, all water and food supplies were exhausted and the River Euphrates was cut off by Yazid’s army. Everyone on the side of Imam Husayn (as) were incredibly thirsty and hungry for three days and three nights. The heat of Karbala was so scorching that it felt as if the blazing hot sun shone right on top of their heads.
Then came the day of Ashura. A day no less than Yawm Al Qiyamah. You could hear the shouts of the children crying ‘Al-Atash! Al-Atash!’ Everyone’s tongues were so dry from the extreme thirst that the enemies of Islam caused.
Imam Husayn (as) asked Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (as) the beautiful adhan of his grandfather one more time. He started the adhan and everyone knew that this adhan was going to be his last. When he started the adhan, Imam Husayn (as) began to cry and the ladies could also be heard crying in their tents.
When Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (as) entered the battlefield, a man shouted:
‘O Ali! You are a relative of Amir Al-Mu’minin (this man means Yazid) and we want to value them, and if you want, we can give you safe conduct.”
Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (as) replied:
“The relationship with the Prophet (saww) is more important to be valued”
This shows the immense loyalty towards his family, and the path of truth, the path of the sons of Rasulullah (saww)
It is said that Umm-e-Layla (as) prayed to Allah (swt) to bring his son back and Allah (swt) accepted her prayer and brought him back.
Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar asks water from his father, saying he was thirsty. Imam Husayn (as) told him to feel his tongue and he says to Imam Husayn (as) that your tongue is drier than mine!
Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (as) fought very bravely in battle, killing hundreds of men while being denied food and water. Hazrat Ali Al-Akbar (as) story is a story that we can all learn from. His virtues is something we can all take from.
If the Imam of our Time (atfs) was to come right now, would be be able to give up our lives? Would we be able to be like Ali al-Akbar, and Hazrat Abbas (as)? This is a question that we all need to ask ourselves and we should try live with this question in mind and try our best to be like these great examples.
Salawat.
