Making choices, whether with desire or\nlack of desire, are one of our common everyday activities. Our choices\ndepending upon their importance are categorized accordingly. They each play\ndifferent roles in our lives- roles which affect our entire lives, and as a\nresult may decide the true meaning of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abbas (PBUH) had a good knowledge of\nwhom the Iraqis of his time were, and was especially aware of the character of\nthe people of Kufa in not staying loyal and true to his father, Imam Ali\n(PBUH), and to his brother, Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba (PBUH). He was aware of how\nthe people of Kufa unite to support their belongings and wishes, and how they\nwould easily surrender to small worldly goods, and break their vows. He was\nalso aware of the power the Umayyad sons carried, how fearless they are in\nbloodshed, and how his brother’s (Imam Hussain’s (PBUH)) companions are minimal\nin number. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Imam Hussain’s (PBUH) caravan\napproached Kufa, Imam Hussain (PBUH) would hear worrisome news from the city.\nGenerally the news implied that the people of Kufa had broken their oath and\nallegiance. When news of Muslim ibn Aqeel’s martyrdom reached Imam Hussain\n(PBUH), a large number of those accompanying the Imam lost their already weak\nfaith, and scattered far from Imam Hussain (PBUH). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAbbas (PBUH) had heard many prophecies from his\nfather and brothers about the tragedy of Karbala; and now witnesses what he\nheard with his own eyes. Alas! What tragedy will be born in the next few days\n(in Karbala)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He made his decision despite the fact\nthat he knew if he withdrew from helping his brother, and had chosen to stay\nneutral, he could protect his life. On the other hand he also knew that if he\nhad joined the enemies in this mission, he would be safe, facing no danger and\ncould provide himself with fine property, status, comfort, and luxury in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abbas (PBUH) however, had no desire\nfor fame or worldly positions. His only goal was to join the master of martyrs,\nImam Hussain (PBUH). He chose a path, a path unlike all others, and he faced\nall bitter consequences with his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today is the birthday anniversary of\nthe Man who made a great decision, a decision for which history has never\nrecorded an identical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wonder, if you and I were in his\nplace, which path would we choose? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much time would we spend thinking\nabout deciding between our options?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How uncertainly and hesitantly would\nwe make our decision?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event of Karbala passed, yet\nremains alive. And now it is our turn to cross the two ways of our lives: a\ncross-way, which expects us to choose one way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Selection taken\nfrom: “The Commander of Karbala”, a translation of “Al-Abbas\n(PBUH)” by Muqarram, with minor changes)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We cordially congratulate the\nauspicious birthday anniversary of the Commander of Karbala, Abalfadl al-Abbas\n(PBUH) to the one savior of the world, Imam Mahdi (PBUH), and to all his\ndevotees.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Making choices, whether with desire or lack of desire, are one of our common everyday activities. Our choices depending upon their importance are categorized accordingly. They each play different roles in our lives- roles which affect our entire lives, and as a result may decide the true meaning of life. Abbas (PBUH) had a good […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28425,28503,28248],"tags":[24375,18994,17941,22548,18465,24374,20756,17964,24373,18418],"class_list":["post-4807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-abbas-ibn-ali-pbuh","category-birth-en-abbas-ibn-ali-pbuh","category-occasional-letters","tag-2006-08-02","tag-choices","tag-different","tag-especially","tag-good","tag-hadrat-abbas","tag-importance","tag-knowledge","tag-making-decisions","tag-occasion-letters"],"yoast_head":"\n