 As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh Abbas son of Ali, alayhi as-salam, was born from Umm al-banin, the mother of the sons. His brothers were Abdullah ibn Ali, Jaffar ibn Ali, and Ufman ibn Ali. When he was born, his father Imam Ali alayhi as-salam kissed his arms and cried for he knew the outcomes of his future. History tells us that when Imam Ali alayhi as-salam was on his deathbed, he put Imam al-Hussain's hand into the hand of Abu al-Fadl, alayhi as-salam. As a trust, Imam Hussain alayhi as-salam and Abu al-Fadl were very close. Narrations tell us that when Abu al-Fadl was born, it was Imam al-Hussain who read the Adhan and iqamah in the ayah of Abu al-Fadl, alayhi as-salam. Whilst he was in the arms of Imam al-Hussain, alayhi as-salam, Abu al-Fadl smiled and raised his arms. Imam Hussain began to cry. In early childhood, Abbas alayhi as-salam would follow Imam al-Hussain like a shadow. If Imam Hussain looked thirsty, Abbas would rush to bring him water. If Imam Hussain seemed hot, Abbas would fan him with the hem of his cloak. At the battle of Safin in the 34th year after Hijra, Abbas was only 8 years old. Imam Hussain was fighting in the battlefield. When Abbas saw an enemy soldier approaching Imam Hussain alayhi as-salam from behind, he took a sword and rushed into the battlefield and killed the enemy. At the same time crying out in a loud voice, how can anyone dare attack my Mola when I am alive? He continued to fight, maintaining his position behind Imam Hussain. Muawiya saw this and asked, who is that boy? When he was told he was Abbas son of alayhi as-salam, he said, by God, no one can fight like that at that age except as son of alayhi. Abbas grew up to be a tall and handsome man. He was so tall that when he sat on a horse, his feet touched the ground. He was so handsome that he was known as Qamar Bani Hashim, the moon of the family of Hashim. Just before the Imam, Imam Hussain left Medina, Ummal Bani summoned all of her four sons and said to them, my sons, you must remember that while I love all of you, Imam Hussain is your master. If Imam or his sisters or his children get injured or hurt while you are still alive, I will never forgive you. There were tears in Abbas's eyes as he promised his mother that he and his brothers would lay down their lives for Imam Hussain alayhi as-salam and his children. Abul Fadl is known as the spine of Imam Hussain's army and seen as the guardian of the camp, his valiant efforts for trying to find water when the mean to the end of his life. Abul Fadl was no stranger to war. In the battle of Safin, Abbas fought and killed many of the enemy. He wore his father's clothes so people mistook him for Imam Ali himself, alayhi as-salam. Later, Imam Ali came onto the battlefield and people were confused. Who is that wearing your clothes? Imam Ali introduced his son, Abbas, by saying, he is Abbas, the moon of the Hashimites. Imam Zayn al-Abideen says, may Allah have mercy upon my uncle Abbas. He preferred his brother to himself. He did well and sacrificed himself for this brother until he lost his two hands. Thus, instead of his two hands, Allah will give him two wings with which he will fly with the angels in paradise, much like Ja'far al-Tayyar alayhi as-salam in the sight of Allah, the blessed, the exalted, al-Abbas, alayhi as-salam, enjoys a peculiar rank for which all the Shaheeds will be hopeful for if they had its like on the day of judgement. Imam Al-Sadiq, alayhi as-salam says, my uncle Al-Abbas was clear-sighted and steadfastly faithful. He fought along with his brother Al-Hussein, did very well and was martyred. Salams be upon Abul Fadl, al-Abbas, son of Amir al-Mu'mineen, alayhi as-salam. He preferred his brother to himself, supplied himself with opportunities of today for rewards of tomorrow, sacrificed himself for his brother, protected himself, hurried for fetching him water, and his two hands were cut off for this. May Allah curse his killers. Yazid ibn al-Raqad and Hokeem ibn al-Tufael al-Tayy. As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.