Those who had not had the good fortune to see the Prophet...

Those who had not had the good fortune to see the Prophet -saww were told by their elders that Ali Akbar -asws was the very image of Hazrat Muhammad -saw w . \n When Imam Hussain -asws planned to leave Madina, the notables of the city requested Imam -asws to leave Ali Akbar -asws behind him so that they are reminded of their Prophet -saww by looking at Ali Akbar -asws . \n “We cannot bear the thought of parting with your son Ali Akbar -asws , He is the very image of the Prophet -saww .

Whenever we feel overcome by the remembrance of Hazrat Muhammad -saww , we go to Ali Akbar -asws to have a look at him and take comfort. We shall look after him better than we look after our own sons. We promise that we shall treat his every wish as a command. In fair weather and foul we shall stand by him. Even if we die, we shall command our children as our dying wish to attend to all his comforts and needs.

His exemplary life has been an object lesson for our sons who are devoted to him as if he were their brother. \n On listening to request, Imam Hussain -asws replied; I wish I -asws could entrust my Ali Akbar -asws in your care! In my mission, he has to play an important role, significance of which time alone will tell. I cannot accede to your request for reasons, which I cannot reveal to you; but rest assured that I should always remember your kindness to me.

I shall carry with me vivid memories of this parting and remember you in my prayers. \n In Karbala, when no one from Imam Hussain -asws \u2018s family, except His children were left, Hazrat Ali Akbar -asws decided to head towards the battleground. Abulfarj Asfahani and Mohammed bin Abitalib have narrated that eighteen years of age, Hazrat Ali Akbar -asws went towards the salient, Imam Hussain -asws started to weep bitterly.

He pointed his index finger towards the sky and said \u201cO Lord -azwj , be\u00a0 a witness to this nation, I am now sending, to be martyred, \u00a0the one who resembles your Prophet -saww in appearance, in conduct and manners. Whenever we desired for the \u2018Ziarat\u2019 of your Prophet -saww we used to look at the face of Ali Akbar.

O Allah -azwj , take away the prosperity of the world from them; Disperse their tranquillity; Let their authorities be always displeased with them; for these wretched people invited us with a promise of triumph but are now determined to shed our guiltless blood .\u201d [1] \n He then called Ibn e Saad l.a and said \u201cO Allah -azwj \u2019s rival!