Many years had passed from the sad decease of Lady Fatimah (PBUH). However, after more than ten years from that poignant event, still the sadness of missing Fatimah (PBUH) was in the heart of Ali (PBUH). A strange fate was destined for the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HP). Bani Hashim were living under oppression, however with high dignity and self esteem.
In this situation Ashura was in front of the eyes of Ali (PBUH), so he decided for another marriage. He asked for his brother Aghil, who had expertise in the knowledge of ethnic groups and tribes, and knew a lot about different tribes and clans, and their manners and traits. He asked Aghil, “Find me a suitable wife from a tribe whose ancestors are from the brave and courageous men, so that such a lady brings me a brave and powerful horse rider.
After a while, Aghil introduced a woman from the Kelab tribe who possessed such traits. Her name was Fatimah the daughter of Hezam ibn Khalid, and her fathers were all from the brave and courageous men. From her mother’s side, as well, she inherited honor and nobility. They called her Fatimah Kelabieh.
Aghil met her father for a proposal. He appreciated and gladly agreed, and they got married. Fatimah Kelabieh was all nobility, goodness and pureness. After the marriage, when she entered Ali’s (PBUH) house, Hassan and Hussain (PBUT) were ill. She nursed them with great care. It is said that when Hassan and Hussain (PBUT) called her “Fatimah”, she said, “Please don’t call me Fatimah so that your sadness for your mother does not get renewed. Call me your servant instead.” Afterwards she was well-known as Umm al-Banin, the mother of the sons.
The results of the marriage of Ali (PBUH) and Fatimah were four brave sons that Abbas (PBUH) was the first of them. Abbas (PBUH) had inherited his nobility and greatness from the parenting and special observations of Ali (PBUH) and his mother Umm al-Banin.
Umm al-Banin possessed both nobility, and also knowledge and love to the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HP), and she was pure and highly interested in having affirmation towards them. On the other hand, the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) had a great respect toward her, and regarded her unique position. As evidence, Zainab (PBUH) went to her house after Ashura and returning to Medinah, and said condolences to her for martyrdom of Abbas (PBUH) and her other sons, and kept visiting her, and sharing her sorrows.
The high faith of Umm al-Banin, and her love for the children of the Prophet (PBUH&HP), was to the extent that she loved them more than her own children. As when the event of Karbala was happening, and she was asking about the news of Karbala and Kufah, when they informed her about the martyrdom of her children, she did not pay much attention, and asked about the wellbeing of Hussain (PBUH), and the wellbeing of the son of Zahra (PBUH) was more important to her than the wellbeing of her own children.
Abbas bin Ali (PBUT) was the son of such a grateful and knowledgeable lady, and therefore it is right to say: Such a mother deserves such a son…
(The above is a selection taken from article titled as “Hazrat Ab al-Fazl al-Abbas”, by Jawad Muhadethi with little changes)
The Roshd Website congratulates all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon the 4rd of Sha’ban, the birthday anniversary of the great exemplar of love and loyalty, the son of Imam Ali and Umm al-Banin (PBUT), Hazrat Ab al-Fazl al-Abbas (PBUH).
