Al-’Abbas is too far above such meanings and Imam al-Husayn...

Al-’Abbas is too far above such meanings and Imam al-Husayn (a) is also too far above taking doorkeepers or secretaries, since he is beyond all material limits. Qamar Bani Hashim Al-’Abbas was so bright-faced and handsome. Hence, he was called Qamar Bani Hashim - Moon of the Hashemites. He was also the moon of his family and the moon of Islam because he paved the path of martyrdom with light and shone upon the lives of Muslims.

He was so bright-faced that the light of his countenance lit all darkness and everybody admired his handsomeness.

When it happened that al-’Abbas was accompanied by his nephew ‘Ali al- Akbar who is known for his similarity to the Prophet physically and morally - the people of Medina stopped in lines to watch their bright-facedness.[^2] As-Saqqaa During the battle of at-Taff and the few days preceding it, Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad, the governor of Kufa, imposed a blockade on the sources of water so as to prevent Imam al-Husayn (a), his household and army from having water.

Al-’Abbas, undertook the mission of fetching water to the camp and harem of his brother. He pushed himself among the large gatherings of that army and reached the River Euphrates several times. On that account, he had the epithet as - Saqqaa - the provider of water. Al-’Abbas and Watering From his forefathers, al-’Abbas inherited the mission of serving water.

Other than the other Koreshite clans, the Hashemites exclusively undertook the mission of serving water for the unparalleled qualities of generosity, munificence and honor that they enjoyed. Historians have recorded that Qussay ibn Kelab was the foremost to serve water to the pilgrims of the Sacred House of God in Mecca. After him, his son Abd-Menaf inherited this mission and left it to his son Hashim who too, left it to his son Abd-ul-Muttalib.

The latter undertook this mission so perfectly that God conferred upon him with the bliss of the well Zamzam. After Abd-ul-Muttalib, Abu-Talib undertook this mission then handed it over to his brother al-’Abbas ibn Abd-ul-Muttalib. On the day of the conquest of Mecca, al-’Abbas offered this mission to the Prophet (S) who gave it back to him. Furthermore, history is full of narrations mentioning that the Prophet (S) served water to his companions on many occasions before and after prophecy.

Imam ‘Ali Amir ul-Muminin also served the Muslim army with water on the night before the day of the Battle of Badr.