Salaam be upon you, O al-’Abbas ibn ‘Ali.

Salaam be upon you, O al-’Abbas ibn ‘Ali.” Undoubtedly, Jabir was that great personality who spent much of his time in the house of prophecy and Imamate; therefore he was more knowledgeable than others in the secrets, affairs, and news of this holy house.[^11] Predictions It is narrated that, once, Imam ‘Ali (a) seated his baby al-’Abbas on his knees, lifted his (the baby’s) hands, kissed them, and wept. Watching this situation, the mother was surprised.

Hence, Imam ‘Ali (a) told her about the future of her baby and what would happen to his hands. She as well as the others, wept heavily. After that, the Imam told her about her baby’s great position with God, and this relieved her.[^12] Early Life Al-’Abbas was nursed at the hands of a faithful, mother who nurtured him on faith, loyalty, knowledge, devoutness and high principles.

His father too, was that great personality who is described as a copy of the Prophet (S), the inheritor of the prophet’s knowledge and the hero of all combats. Al-’Abbas was brought up under the custody of these parents. No wonder then that he possessed such a personality and offered such big sacrifices for the sake of his religion and principles.

Al-’Abbas adhered to his father when he was in Medina, and when he moved to Iraq and resided in Kufa, al-’Abbas was also under his thoughtful care and wise education. Through heredity, education and environment, al-’Abbas acquired all virtues, high moral standards, knowledge and conversance. After his father’s demise, al-’Abbas adhered closely to his two brothers - al-Hasan and al-Husayn (a).

He returned with them to Medina and learnt from them the religious knowledge and fundamentals in addition to the nobilities of character. When Imam al-Hasan (a) was poisoned to death, al-’Abbas adhered to his brother Imam al-Husayn and his nephew Imam ‘Ali Zayn ul-Abidin (a). He kept himself with his brother in Medina, Mecca, and Iraq where he protected him as well as his harem until he lost his life for this sake.

Thus, unlike the other sons of Imam ‘Ali (a), al-’Abbas had the characteristic of full adherence to his father, two brothers, and nephew. For that reason, he was a true copy of the Imams in knowledge and morality.