Abbas (A.S.) in the Mirror of Nicknames

Apart from the name, which distinguishes each individual from the others, there are some distinctive characteristics in view of morality and action. Nicknames are given for those characteristics, and the people are called with the nicknames.

When we look at the beautiful nicknames of Hazrat Abbas, we find them like a mirror, each reflecting an appearance from the nice spirit and virtues of Hazrat Abalfazl. Some of titles of Hazrat Abbas were popular at his lifetime, and some were given to him later. Each of them is an eternal medal of honor and virtue for him.

It is very nice when the name is worthy and the nickname is in harmony with its owner. Everyone shall be called with an appropriate and worthy nickname.

Abbas

Amiralmomenin called this brave child, Abbas, because he attacked bravely like a lion in the battlefields. Like an angry lion, he caused fear in the enemy’s heart, and his epic screams caused the body of opponents to shake.

Abalfazl

His nickname was Abalfazl (father of Fazl), both because he was the father of Fazl, and was the father of virtue (Fazl). Virtue and goodness originated from his pure nature.

Abolqarbeh

He was also called “Abolqarbeh” (father of water bag) for carrying the water bag on his shoulder. He was water-carrier among Hashemites from the childhood.

Saqqa

“Saqqa” (Water-carrier) was the other nickname of this great man. He provided water for the thirsty and children. Especially in the Karbala trip, he was water-carrier for the caravan and the thirsty in the tents of Aba Abdellah (a.s.). One of his tasks in Karbala was supply of water for Imam tents. Finally, he was martyred when bringing water for the children on Ashura (will be explained later). He was from Hashemites, Abdolmotalleb and Aboutaleb, who were all water-carrier for the pilgrims. Ali too dug too many wells and ducts to quench the thirsty. On the day of Saffein, when the host of Ali (a.s.) dominated the water, he let the host of Moavieh to drink from it to show generosity of host of Ali (a.s.). Abbas is the continuation of the same line and creed, and persistence of this culture and sagacity. In Karbala, he was in the position of a water-carrier to protect the honor.

Qamare Bani Hashem

His other nickname was “Qamare Bani Hashem” (Moon of Hashemite). He was the most beautiful and attractive among Hashemite, and shined like a bright moon in a dark night.

Babol Havaej

He is also known with “Babol Havaej” (Gate to the people’s needs). His holy shrine is the focus of needs, and recourse to him, fulfills needs of the needy and involved. At his lifetime too, he was the gate to mercies and requests and source of bounty, and when the people wanted to talk to Hossein (a.s.), referred to Abbas. After his martyrdom, he has a particular favor to those who have recourse to his blessed name, and God fulfills the requests of people for his belief, self-sacrifice and martyrdom. There are many people, who have been cured through recourse to the favor of Abalfazl and resort to the sacred threshold of his beneficence and generosity, or their problems have been removed and their needs have been fulfilled. In the several books, strange and readable stories have been narrated about miracles of Hazrat Abalfazl (a.s.). Reading and hearing such miracles (if authentic and well-founded) increases man’s faith, belief and affection.

Alamdar

He is also known with “Alamdar” (standard-bearer) and “Sepahdar” (warlord). This title is concerned with “standard-bearer” role of Abbas in Karbala. He was the military commander of the forces of truth besides Imam Hossein (a.s.), and Sayedoshohada himself addressed him with the title of “Holder of standard”, indicating his role.

Abde Saleh

“Abde Saleh” (The righteous servant) is the other title found in his Ziarat, narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.). It is a big honor that a divine infallible authority introduces the martyred Abbas as the righteous servant, and submissive to Allah, Prophet and Imam.

Tayyar

One of his other nicknames is “Tayyar” (flyer), because like his uncle, Jafar Tayyar, two wings were granted to him instead of his two cut hands to fly in the paradise with the angels. His father, Amiralmomenin (a.s.), had annunciated it to the family at Abbas childhood, when he kissed his hands and wept, to relieve their grief and sadness.

Movassi

He is also called “Movassi” (generous helper) referring to his sacrifice and devotion for his brother, Imam Hossein (a.s.).

There are sixteen nicknames for Abbas Ebne Ali (a.s.), each indicating an appearance from his elevated spirit and dignity.

All through his life, Abbas had shielded his life to protect Imam, and was with Imam Hossein (a.s.). He did not leave him, and fought to support him. He moved step by step beside Imam Hossein, and he himself was a shade of Sayedoshohada. In spite of being in a high rank of knowledge, virtue, bravery, piety, and an example for greatness and dignities, he had made himself a mortal character in his brother and melted in Sayedoshohada, and absolutely submissive to his Mowla (master). He behaved so to teach the others the lesson of submission to guardianship, acceptance of leadership, devotion, and the correct way of relation with God’s authority.

The fact that birthday of Imam Hossein is the third of Sha’ban, and that of Abalfazl on fourth of Sha’ban could be another allusion to his shady existence towards the sun of Imamate, who follows all through his life, and even in birthday too, one day after Imam Hossein, and a proof for his following and obedience (of course with an interval of twenty years).

In the Ashura event, and at that promised night, he undertook the responsibility of protection and guarding of Hossein tents, and was the guard of sanctuary and territory of Imamate.

Each of these meaningful and expressive nicknames is a board demonstrating his virtues for us, and leading us to the sanctum of his elevated spirit, steady heart, deep faith and shining life, and increases love to this devoted soldier of Quran and religion in the hearts.
Talking of his nicknames and titles, here we refer to some of the phrases narrated from Imams about him:

In the Ziarat narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.), addressing Hazrat Abbas (a.s.), it has been mentioned:

Peace unto you, O righteous and obedient Servant of Allah, Prophet, Amiralmomenin, Imam Hassan, and Imam Hossein. I call to witness Allah that you treaded on the same way of warriors and martyrs of Badr, the path of warriors for the faith, the well-wishers in struggle with the God’s enemies, the real helpers of God’s favorites and defenders from God’s saints.

We have also mentioned the high expressions of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) about him in the preceding parts.

In the Ziarat Nahye Moqaddasse, narrated from Imam Zaman (a.s.), he has been addressed:
Pease upon Abalfazl Abbas, son of Amiralmomenin, one who devoted his life for his brother, one who sacrificed himself for Hossein and was his guard, one whose hands were cut, ….

Among his greatest virtues and servitudes are help and aid of Prophet’s grandson and support of children of Zahra, and quenching the thirst of children of Aba Abdellah Hossein (a.s.) and sacrifice of his life for this clean path.