ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al-Abbas This Book This project was, initially, only to investigate the best book written about the personality of al-’Abbas ibn ‘Ali and then translate it into English. I, having searched the libraries, unfortunately found only few books dealing completely with this personality. Nevertheless, there were books full of topics not related, directly, to the personality of al-’Abbas. Therefore, I, after discussing the matter with Mr.

Ansariyan, was asked to choose topics related to the life and personality of al-’Abbas ibn ‘Ali from the reference books that I could have, and then compile them in a book. During this work, I have mainly depended upon three books:` Al-Muqarram, Sayyid Abd-ur-Razzaq al-Musawi, Al-’Abbas. Ash-Sharif ar-Radhi Publications, Qum. First Edition. Al-Qarashi, Baqir Sharif, Al-’Abbas ibn ‘Ali: The pioneer of dignity and sacrifice in Islam. Mehdiyyeh Publications, Qum. First Edition, 2000 A.D. 1420 A.H.

Al-Kulbasi, Ayatollah Hajji Muhammad Ibrahim, Al- Khassaaiss ul-’Abbasiyya (The Particularities of al-’Abbas), Al- Maktaba al-Haydariyya Publications, Qum. First Edition, 2000 A.D. 1420 A.H. Besides these, I referred to other reference books that dealt with this personality whose heroism and high moral standards are too great to be contained. As a matter of fact, all books dealing with the tragic story of Karbala have referred, though in brief, to the personality of al- ‘Abbas ibn ‘Ali.

Yet, they have not referred to all the topics and details of his life. His position in Karbala was unique and unmatched in all its dimensions, so it has taken all the time for such authors to make appear other valuable aspects of his life, though important and worthy of reference, seem minor when compared to his standing with his brother, family members, harem of the household of (S) and the companions of his brother on that day in Karbala.

These situations still serve as loadstars for everyone who seeks freedom, dignity, and honor. This book has ten chapters related to the whole lifetime of al-’Abbas ibn ‘Ali along with factors, matters, and circumstances that contributed to the formation of his great personality, such as the hereditary factors, the family and social environment, and the political circumstances that happened during his lifetime.