تويت
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Imam and the Follower
When a person, in the path of defending the religion, becomes melted in the personality and behavior of his leader, and merges with him, defends him, and highly respects him, and purely devotes himself to his leader, he would turn into “the most excellent model” for others.
For example, Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) was the most stunning exemplar for how to behave the Holy Prophet. This is a very important matter, as the people could follow the Great Prophet in every matter except one matter, and that was how to behave the Prophet, defend and obey him. Some people used to raise their voices above his voice, and counted themselves prior to him, and talked to him similar to the way they spoke among themselves.
Therefore they needed a practical example, and that was Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) who taught the people how to behave the Great Prophet. The people witnessed how Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) risked his life when he slept instead of the Prophet in his bed during the night of the Travel (Hijrah), and they witnessed how he defended him during the wars, and how he was melted in the Prophet. Therefore, if it was not Ali (PBUH) and his behavior, the Muslims would never know how to behave the Prophet.
Truly, Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) was the manifestation of the Prophet’s personality, temper, and knowledge, and a confirming sign for his prophethood, and a pioneer in defending his appointment…
And, as well, Abbas (PBUH) played the same role in relation to his brother, his Imam, the sign of God in his time, and son of the Prophet, Imam Hussain (PBUH).
Abbas was one among the knowledgeable men of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH). He was a courageous leader, a kind hospitable, a faithful worshipper, and therefore a perfect personality in all sense. However, he was melted in the personality of the Imam of his time, Master of Martyrs (PBUH), and strived in devoting to him, and thus the people could realize how to behave their Imam. Abbas (PBUH) illustrated the position of Imam Hussain (PBUH) with his conduct, because most people did not have any mean to realize the position of the infallible Imams (PBUT) and their Wilayah (Mastership).
He never addressed his brother, Imam Hussain (PBUH), as “brother”; instead he addressed him as, “O son of the Prophet, my master, my lord”, and never called his Imam except with great respect.
The Moon of Bani Hashim, never sat next to Imam Hussain (PBUH) without permission, and after being allowed, he used to sit against his Imam like a humble servant, with knees bent.
His loyalty toward the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH) was great and exceptional, to an extent that Imam Sadiq (PBUH) states in his Ziarah, “God reward you, the highest and most reward, and the most lasting reward that is given to the loyal to the allegiance, and the responders to the call of his Wali al-Amr (Leader appointed by God)…”
Yes, not all people reach to know the real position of Imamate, but all the people are in contact with the Imam, and Ab al-Fadl al-Abbas (PBUH) shows the best way of defending the religion, the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), and the leader whose obedience is defined obligatory for all by God. This is the great lesson we learn from Abbas (PBUH).
Now that we are having the remembrance of Abbas (PBUH), let’s think that how much do we follow Abbas (PBUH) in our life? Do we really realize the position of the Imam of Time, and fully defend him? Or that in the twists of life, we have forgotten about him, and have left him without help?
God’s peace be upon you, O Abbas, the day that you were born to defend Hussain (PBUH), and the day that you were martyred in the path of Islam, under the flag of Hussain (PBUH), and the day that you will revive with Hussain (PBUH). Peace of God, and His love and blessings upon you…
(Selection taken from the Book “Abbas the Helper of Hussain (PBUH)”, by Ayatullah Sayyed Muhammad Taqi Mudarresi (with little changes))