I am thirsty O my uncle Abbas !

I am thirsty O my uncle Abbas !" Abbas went to Imaam Hussain and requested for permission to go and get water for Sakina. Imaam Hussain gave his permission. Abbas put Sakina's mashk on the 'alam, mounted his horse and rode up to Imaam Hussain. He said "I have come to say goodbye". Imaam Hussain said "My brother, come and embrace me". Hazrat Abbas dismounted his horse. There were tears in Imaam's eyes.

As Hazrat Abbas prepared to mount his horse, Imaam Hussain said, "My brother, I want a gift from you. I want your sword". Hazrat Abbas, without uttering a word, gave Imaam Hussain his sword and rode into the battlefield, armed only with a spear and holding the 'alam. There were 30,000 enemy soldiers in the battlefield. They had all heard of the valour of Hazrat Abbas. A cry arose, "Abbas is coming!" Yazeed's soldiers started hiding behind one another.

A few brave ones dared go near Hazrat Abbas but were soon put to death by the spear or by a kick. Hazrat Abbas reached the river Furaat. He filled the mashk with water. He himself was very thirsty. He took the water in his palms, looked at it and threw it away saying, "O water of Furaat, my lips can welcome you only after Sakina has quenched her thirst !?" He placed the mashk on his 'alam and started to ride back.

Umar Sa'ad cried out, "Do not let that water reach Hussain's camp, otherwise we shall all be doomed!" A soldier climbed a tree and as Abbas was riding past the tree he struck his sword on the right shoulder The spear and the arm fell on to the ground. Just then someone crept behind Hazrat Abbas and struck him on the left shoulder. The 'alam fell. Hazrat Abbas gripped the mashk with his teeth. His one object was to get the water to Sakina.

Fighting with his feet he urged the horse to get him to Imaam's camp as quickly as possible. Alas ! an arrow was shot. It went flying across the desert and hit the mashk. The water began to pour out and with the water all the hopes of Hazrat Abbas poured on to the sands of Kerbala to be buried forever in the thirsty desert. Abbas now did not want to go back and face Sakina. With his feet, he signalled the horse to turn back. The enemy surrounded him from all sides. Abbas fell from the horse!!

As he fell, he cried out "My salaams to you Ya Mawla!" Imaam Hussain seemed to lose all his strength when he heard the voice of his dear brother Abbas. When Hazrat Abbas left to go to fetch water, Imaam stood at the gate of the camp watching the 'alam.