He was...

He was, indeed, distinguished from all others by his knowledge, deeds, an abundance of wisdom and divine faculties that his position as deputy of the Imam, the Hujjah , required.[^2] He suffered from acute thirst to the extent that he was permitted to drink even what was najis . Both Ibn ‘Aqil and the moon of the Hashemites [Abul-Fadl, al-’Abbas, Imam Husayn's brother] drank the same milk and graduated from the same school of Imamate and infallibility.

They, therefore, earned a testimony from the Infallible Imams (‘a) in the sincerity of intention through their readiness to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the creed. Such testimony qualified them to serve as role models in their good deeds. Just as Muslim did not taste water till he died of thirst, so was the case with the father of al-Fadl, al-’Abbas, who shook the ranks of the enemy till he finally had access to the water.

Knowing the extent of thirst of the Master of Martyrs and that of the Prophet's ladies and of the children who descended from Fatima (‘a), he did not see in the Shari’a , which he had learned from his father, the wasi , and from both of his brothers who were Imams whether they stood or sat[^3], according to the Prophet's words, any provision for him to drink out of concern for the thirst of the Hujjah of his time even with a little thereof. But alas!

Destiny stood between him and the achievement of his desire. He did not taste of the Euphrates following his example, Taking his water straight to the tent. He found no provision in the creed to quench His thirst while his brother was burning with thirst.

He derives his deed from the Shari’a And due to his unshaken conviction, Like al-Husayn who controlled the water source Just to be told that his tents were being looted, So he threw water away, sensing the gravity Of the situation, enthused with zeal, So al-’Abbas followed his example as he Breathed his last in honour, his zeal fiery.

Abu ‘Abdullah, al-Husayn (‘a), rose with that small group of the elderly and the children, with infants and women, in contrast with those who were not apprehensive in regard to conscience or kinship, being determined to eradicate the Prophet's family and relatives.