Al-Abbas compiled by Badr Shahin (2nd Edition) is a good read. Here are some take-aways from the book:
Al-Abbas – the frowning. Named this because his father “perceived that this baby would be one of the heroes of Islam and would be frowning in the faces of evils and wrongdoers…” (pg 40)
In Arabic,
Al-Abbas: the lion that other lions fear and escape.(pg 40)
Was nicknamed
‘Abu’l-Fadhl – father or owner of virtue (pg 40)
Tawiz/dua of his mother for his protection:
I seek the guard of the One (God) for him
From the eye of every envious
Including the rising and the sitters
The Muslims and the unbelievers
The comers and the goers
And sons and fathers (pg 41).
After martyrdom, he is the shelter and refuge of everyone who seeks his help. Most surely, God will relieve him who directs to Him and implores to Him by using Abu'l-Fadhl as his means and interceder. (pg 41)
Pilgrimage/Ziyarat:
“Recommended for pilgrims of the tomb of Imam al-Hussein (a) to begin first with visiting the tomb of al-Abbas. This is one of the confirmations of al-Abbas's being the door to his brother; chief of the martyrs.” (pg 46)
Ziyarat of Nahia from 12th Imam:
Peace be upon Abul Fazl al-Abbas, the son of Amirul Mu'mineen, defender of his brother (Imam Hussain) with his life and soul, who prepared for the fateful morning since the day before, and lay down his life for Hussain, faithful unto death; and who strove to bring water for him and his children, but whose arms were both cut off.
May Allah curse his murderers, Yazeed bin Ruqaad al-Heeti and Hakeem bin Tufail at-Taai.
Bab ul-Hawaaij:
“People believed that God will surely settle the needs of him who implores to Him by seeking the intercession of al-Abbas for the special rank that he enjoys in the sight of Almighty God and for dedicating himself to the obedience to Imam al-Hussein. Hence, al-Abbas is called '
Bab ul-Hawaaij - the door to the settlement of needs.” (pg 52)
“Since obedience is attached to pure worship, al-Abbas was described by Imam as-Sadiq (a) as obedient.” (pg 53)
“As he was about to have a drink, he remembered the thirst of his brother and his children. He therefore refused to drink before he would sate the thirst of those ones.” (pg 59)
My soul, you must be preceded by al-Hussein
And you must not continue to exist after him
Al-Hussein is about to drink from cups of death
While you want to drink from this cold water
No, by Allah! This is not my religion! (pg 139)
On the construction of Shrine of Al-Abbas:
Sayyid Hasan, the writer of Fadak and other books, has mentioned that the golden small hall facing the first gate of the holy shrine was established by the king of Lakanhu Mohammad Shah the Indian. (pg 75)
Imam Hussein (A.S.) on the day of Ashura:
"People are certainly the slaves of this world. The religion is only a slaver on their tongues. They turn it wherever their livelihood demands. If they are examined by misfortunes, the religious will be very little. This world has changed, snubbed, and its good has turned tail. Nothing has remained from it except a thing that is as scanty as the leftover of a cup and a mean life that is like a noxious grazing. Have you not noticed that the right is ignored and the evil is not forbidden? This is sufficient for making the believers desire for meeting Allah rightfully. I consider death as happiness and life with the wrongdoers as boredom."(pg 127)
