Water bearing in the battlefields has always been a sign of courage as access to water in battlefields proved to be very difficult, yet vital. The night before the Battle of Badr, Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH&HP) asked if any of his companions would volunteer to get water for them that night? All remained motionless, except for Amir al-Mumenin (PBUH) who picked up a pouch and headed outside the camp to bring water. He reached a dark and deep well, climbed down, filled the pouch with water and came back up.1
During the Battle of Siffein, Muawieh closed access to the river on Amir al-Mu’menin’s (PBUH) troops. Imam Ali (PBUH) assigned Malik Ashtar, the commander of his army, to break enemy lines and bring water for the troops. Malik attacked the enemy and in a matter of time took over the waterfront, giving the upper hand to Amir al-Mu’menin’s (PBUH) army.2
On the seventh day of Muharram, ‘Ubaidullah Ibn Ziad sent a letter ordering Umar Ibn Sa’d (the commander of Umayyd army) to close access to the river of Euphrates, so Imam Hussain (PBUH) and his companions would not be able to get water. Umar Ibn Sa’d assigned ‘Amru Ibn Hajjaj and 500 cavaliers to camp in front of the river and block all access. Therefore, Imam Hussain (PBUH), his family and companions could not get water from the seventh day of Muharram, and were very low on water supply. On the seventh day, Abbas Ibn Ali (PBUH) attacked the army blocking the access to the river a few times and was able to collect some water for the companions and family of Imam Hussain (PBUH). And this is how Abbas (PBUH), from the courage he had inherited from his father, gained the title of water bearer for the greatest tragedy in history.
The peak of his sacrifice and bravery can be seen in the moments before entering the final battle. On the tenth day, once again Abbas (PBUH) went to collect water for the thirsty women and children in the tents. Abbas (PBUH) picked up his water pouch and entered the Euphrates River. According to some sources Abbas (PBUH) reached under the water to drink, but remembered the thirst of his brother Imam Hussain, and let the water fall back into the river. He filled the pouch with water and departed the river thirsty, telling himself3:
How could you! Be [feel] small after Hussain. You are not worthy of living after Hussain. It is Hussain who has entered the battle of death. Do you desire to drink fresh water? By Allah this act is not the method of my religion…4
May Allah (SWT) bless the thirsty water bearer, Abbas son of Amir al-Mu’menin (PBUH)
On behalf of Roshd Website, we send our condolences to all Muslims, especially you dear friend upon the Tasua (9th day of Muharram) of Imam Hussein (PBUH)
The day of commemorating the martyrdom of the water-bearer of Karbala,
The manifestation of manners and selflessness,
Abbas ibn Ali (PBUH)
Footnotes:
1. Tarikh Madinato Dameshq vol. pg. ; Kanz alummal vol. 10 pg. 421 Umdat alTalib pg. 360 Alfosool Alfakhrie pg. 203
2. Sharh Nahjul alBalaqa, vol. 1, pg. 23; Yanabi’ al-Mawadah, vol. 1, pg. 450; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 41, pg. 145
3. Nafs al-Mahmum, pg. 146
4. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 41, pg. 145