Imam al-Hussayn to Ali Akbar (peace be upon both of them): “May Allah rewards you with what Allah rewards a good son to his father.”

Ali Akbar (peace be upon him) one of the great heroes of the Hashemite youth, a brave knight, a personality that has embodied the meaning of the will and sacrifices of Islam, bright in the horizon of Al-Taf above the desert of Karbala, believing fighter who is steadfast on the Islam principles, which is his unique case.

He was born of the family of the bearer the message of the sky, raising the light's torch (Allah's prayers be upon him and upon his holy Household), as he was a member of the elite who have formed the extension of the prophet's path, and he is one of the greatest models for the young fighters.

This young man and shining star from the Hussayni House is our master Ali Akbar son of Al-Hussayn son of Ali Ibn Abi Taleb (peace be upon all of them), which birth was on the eleventh of the blessed month of Sha'ban in the year 33 AH or 38 AH.

His mother is Layla Bint Abi 'Urwa Ibn Mas'ud Al-Thaqafi, and 'Urwa was one of the four great known men in Islam.

His title according to the Ziyarat of Ali Akbar narrated by Aba Hamza Al-Thumali from Imam As-Sadeq (peace be upon him): "Put your cheek on the tomb and say: Allah prays on you, O Aba Al-Hassan, three times."

He was called "Al-Akbar" because he is elder than Imam Zayn Al-'Abideen, as it is stated by Imam As-Sajjad when he (peace be upon him) was brought to Ibn Ziyad's court and made to stand before that tyrant. "Who are you?" He asked the Imam. The Imam replied: "I am Ali Ibn Al-Hussayn". He said: "Did Allah not kill Ali Ibn Al-Hussayn?" The Imam replied: "I had a brother whose name was also Ali and the people killed him ". (The Imam meant to tell Ibn Ziyad not to attribute sin to Allah and not to say something irrelevant, because it was the people and not Allah who killed Ali Ibn Al-Hussayn in Karbala). Ibn Ziyad said: "It is not so. Allah killed him". In reply to this the Imam recited a verse of the Qur'an: {Allah takes the souls when the time of their death comes}, (Surah al-Zumar, 39:42) but He is not their killer.

In looks, in voice, in mannerism, in gait and in every way, Ali Al-Akbar (peace be upon him) resembled the Seal of Prophets Mohammad (Allah's prayers be upon him and his holy Household) that the Chief of Martyrs and Leader of the Youths of Paradise Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) was often heard to say “Whenever I desire to see the holy Prophet (Allah's prayers be upon him and his holy Household) I look at him.”

His handsome looks were matched by his handsome deeds. He was known with his asceticism and worship, his nobility of character, his sense of duty, his generosity, his chivalry, his geniality, his love of justice and fair play had endeared him to every soul. He was also a brave soldier. He had been taught fencing and archery by Al-Abbas (peace be upon him).

When Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) lost all his men, except for his immediate family, Ali Al-Akbar (peace be upon him) came forward with his horse called "Al-Janah [The wing]". He asked for his father’s permission to fight, and his father accepted. Yet, Imam Al Hussayn looked at him desperately and let his tears run on his face while his heart was in flame. As he exposed his sorrow to God, the Glory, he lifted up his two index fingers towards the sky and said: "O Lord! Bear witness on those people, to whom has emerged the one who most resembles your Prophet in physical, moral and speaking characteristics. Thus, we used to look at him when we crave to see Your Apostle. O Lord, do deprive them of the earth abundances, afflict them with absolute disunion and the worst segregation, make them follow different tribes and parties, and do not let the rulers ever be pleased with them, as they called us and promised support, but they turned to fight us wanting to kill us!"

Then, he (peace be upon him) called Ibn Saad and said: "What’s wrong with you, Ibn Saad? May Allah cut off your pedigree as you did with mine, denying my kinship to the Prophet of Allah". Afterwards Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) spoke loudly and recited the verse of the Almighty: {Allah Chose Adam, Nuh (Noah), the family Of Ibrahim (Abraham) and the family of Imran above the Alamin (Mankind and Jinn (of their times) offspring, one of the other, and Allah is all Hearer, all Knower.} Al-Imran (34-35)

Afterwards, Ali Ibn Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) attacked the enemy, while saying:

I’m Ali Ibn Al-Hussayn, the son of Ali

We, by the House of Allah, are closest to the Prophet.

By Allah! A man born of fornication shall never be our ruler

I will strike you down with my sword, defending my Father,

The blows of a Hashimi, an ‘Alawi.

Ali al-Akbar continued fighting. He killed all those who had the guts to meet him in duel. He killed scores of combatants.

Since thirst greatly contributed to his overstraining, he returned to his father to rest and complain of what thirst had done to him. Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) told him: “O Aide! O dear son! Fight for a while, and very soon you shall behold your grandfather Muhammad. You shall drink from his flowing cup and shall never ever be thirsty.”

Ali returned to the battlefield happy to be told by his father that be would meet his grandfather, the Prophet. He delved into their ranks dispersing them. It seemed as though it were his grandfather, Imam Ali roaring in the battle ground fighting and killing more of them.

When the death toll mounted, Murra bin Munqidh al-Abdi made a pledge saying, "I shall bear all the sins of the Arabs, if I do not bereave his father." He ran his lance into his back and dealt him a blow on his head causing it to split. He embraced his horse which took him to the enemy camp where he was encircled by the troops who cut him into pieces.

Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) rushed to him and said, “O my dear son! May Allah kill the one who killed you. What measure of audacity have they acquired against Allah, the Beneficent, and in violating the sanctity of the Prophet?” Tears started flowing abundantly from Imam Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him)’s eyes and he said, “Woe be upon this world after you”.

Then he called out to the youth saying, “Take your brother”. They brought him from the spot of his martyrdom and placed him in front of the tent facing which he had fought.

His holy tomb: If we look at the place where Imam Zayn Al-'Abideen (peace be upon him) has put Ali Al-Akbar, near his father Al-Hussayn (peace be upon him), we may understand the motive and purpose; presenting the great status and the virtuous qualities of Ali Al-Akbar (peace be upon him) to the people throughout the ages.
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