تويت
His Name, Title, and Lineage (AS):
Al-Sayyid Abu al-Hasan, Ali al-Akbar, son of Imam al-Husayn, son of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them).
His Name, Title, and Lineage (AS)
Al-Sayyid Abu al-Hasan, Ali al-Akbar, son of Imam al-Husayn, son of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them).
Date of His Birth (AS)
11th of Sha'ban, 35 AH, according to the most reliable account, though some say it was in 41 AH.
His Mother (AS)
Lady Layla bint Abi Murrah ibn Urwah ibn Mas'ud al-Thaqafi, and her mother was Maymunah bint Abi Sufyan ibn Harb ibn Umayyah.
His Qualities (AS)
He (AS) was among the most handsome of people and the most virtuous in character. He resembled his grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) in speech, appearance, and morals.
Imam al-Husayn (AS) said when Ali al-Akbar stepped forward on the day of Taf: "O Allah, bear witness, for there has come forth to them a youth who is the most similar to Your Messenger in appearance, character, and speech."
A poet said about him:
"No eye has ever seen the likes of him,
Whether walking barefoot or in sandals.
When his fire was kindled,
He ignited it with perfect honor,
So that a destitute or lonely person might see it.
I mean the son of Layla, the one of generosity and nobility,
I mean the son of the daughter of al-Husayn, the virtuous.
He does not prefer this world over his religion,
Nor does he sell the truth for falsehood."
His Bravery (AS)
When Imam al-Husayn (AS) departed from Qasr Bani Muqatil, he dozed off on his horse and then woke up saying, "Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds." He repeated this two or three times.
Ali al-Akbar (AS) asked, "Why do you praise Allah and say 'We belong to Allah'?"
Imam al-Husayn (AS) replied, "O my son, I dozed off and saw a rider on a horse saying, 'The people are moving, and death is moving towards them.' So I knew that it was our souls being foretold to us."
Ali al-Akbar (AS) said, "O father, may Allah not show you any evil. Are we not on the truth?"
Imam al-Husayn (AS) replied, "Yes, by the One to whom all servants return."
Ali al-Akbar (AS) said, "Then we do not care if we die as upholders of the truth."
Imam al-Husayn (AS) responded, "May Allah reward you on behalf of a child with the best reward a parent can receive from a child."
His Stance on the Day of Ashura
It is narrated that on the day of Ashura, only Imam al-Husayn's (AS) family and close companions remained with him.
Ali al-Akbar (AS) stepped forward on his horse, named al-Janah, and sought permission from his father to fight. Imam al-Husayn (AS) granted him permission, then looked at him with despair, lowered his eyes, and wept. He said, "O Allah, be the witness over them, for a youth has come forth to them who is the most similar to Your Messenger in appearance, character, and speech."
Ali al-Akbar (AS) charged at them, saying:
"I am Ali, son of al-Husayn, son of Ali,
By the House of Allah, we are closer to the Prophet.
By Allah, the son of a usurper shall not rule over us,
I strike with the sword to defend my father,
The strike of a Hashimite, Alawi youth."
He then returned to his father, saying, "O father, thirst!"
Imam al-Husayn (AS) replied, "Be patient, my beloved, for you will not see the evening until your grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family), quenches your thirst with his cup."
He repeated this several times. Munqidh al-Abdi saw him charging at the people, intercepted him, and struck him, causing him to fall. The people surrounded him and cut him to pieces with their swords.
Imam al-Husayn (AS) came and stood over him, saying, "May Allah kill a people who have killed you, O my son. How bold they are against the Most Merciful and in violating the sanctity of the Messenger."
Tears streamed from his eyes, and he said, "After you, O my son, let the world be ruined."
He then said to his servants, "Carry your brother." They carried him from the place he fell and brought him to the front of his tent.
Date of His Martyrdom and Place of Burial
10th of Muharram, 61 AH, in the holy land of Karbala. He was buried with the martyrs near the feet of his father, Imam al-Husayn (AS).
Duration of His Life (AS)
19 years according to Sheikh al-Mufid, and 25 years according to others. The second opinion is more likely, as it is narrated that Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) was 23 years old on the day of Taf, and Ali al-Akbar was older than him.
References:Maqatil al-Talibiyyin by Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani (284-356 AH), Al-A'lami Foundation for Publications, 3rd edition, Beirut/Lebanon, 1419 AH/1998 AD, pp. 86-87.
Nafs al-Mahmum by Sheikh Abbas al-Qummi, 1st edition, Shari'ah Press, 1421 AH, pp. 276-286.
The Life of Imam al-Husayn (AS) by Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, Dar al-Balaghah, 1st edition, Vol. 3, pp. 243-249.