SURIOUS ARGUMENTS
ABOUT THE SHIA
By:
ABU TALIB AT-TABRIZI
Translated by
Abdullah Al-Shahin
Edited by
Ahmed Haneef
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,
THE BENEFICENT THE MERCIFUL
THE PUBLISHER'S WORD
Great personalities contribute strongly in the composition of perfect character through their model conducts and high standards. From this cause it has been important to introduce such characters to the seekers of perfection so that they will be acquainted with the qualifications that authorized such characters to attain perfection and become cynosures of humankind.
Ansariyan Publications is pleased to introduce to the gentle readers this book that deals with the personality of one of the heroes of Islam and the exemplary men through whose sacrifices, ideal situations, and high moral standards humanity proceeded many steps onwards. This perfect personality is al-Abbas ibn Ali upon whom the Imams (a) conferred the finest words of praise and laudation.
Through this book, the reader will find chapters covering the whole life account of al-Abbas in addition to a brief presentation of the historical circumstances that led him to be on the top in the list of the heroes of humanity in general and Islam in particular.
Undertaking the mission of the propagation for Islam, the team of the Ansariyan Publications beseech the All-benefactor Lord to grant them the ability to present other similar books dealing with other ideal personalities that contributed in elevating the Islamic spirit to levels befitting its perfection.
Thus, in the near future, the dear readers will have in possession similar books about other personalities.
Finally, we hope this book will add new knowledge and contribute, at any extent, in leading to human perfection.
Ansariyan Publications, 2001.
DEDICATION
To the lady who was born by heroes and could carry all the qualifications of giving birth of a hero-
the lady who preferred the children of the Prophet to her children-
the lady who sacrificed her four sons for God-
the lady whom God has made the door to the settlement of needs-
the mother who fed her son with heroism, magnanimity, and altruism-
the mother of al-Abbas, the righteous servant of God, I dedicate this modest work, hoping for acceptance.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My deep appreciation is extended first of all to the owner of the idea of compiling a book approaching the personality of al-Abbas ibn Ali (a), Mr. Mohammad Taqi Ansariyan who assigned me for this holy task. It is surely a holy task since it deals with the great leader who represented all the meanings of heroism, loyalty, perseverance, and truthfulness.
Appreciation is also shown to Dr. Muhsin Jaffar who offered his considerable notes about the text of this book.
I, too, would like to refer to the assistance that I received from Sheikh Abu-Alaa as-Saffar and Mr. Mohammad Gannan who supplied me with precious reference books upon which I relied throughout this work.
And, finally, thanks to everybody who encouraged and helped me proceed with this work.
THIS BOOK
This project was, initially, only 'to investigate the best book written about the personality of al-Abbas ibn Ali and then translate it into English.' Having searched the libraries, I, unfortunately, found only few books dealing completely with this personality. Nevertheless, these books were full of topics not related, directly, to the personality of al-Abbas. Therefore, I, after discussing the matter with Mr. Ansariyan, was asked to choose topics related to the life and personality of al-Abbas ibn Ali from the reference books that I could have, and then compile them in a book.
During this work, I have mainly depended upon three books:
1. Al-Muqarram, Sayyid Abd-ur-Razzaq al-Musawi, Al-Abbas. Ash-Sharif ar-Radhi Publications - Qum. First Edition.
2. Al-Qarashi, Baqir Sharif, Al-Abbas ibn Ali: the pioneer of dignity and sacrifice in Islam. Mehdiyyeh Publications - Qum. First Edition, 2000 A.D.- 1420 A.H.
3. Al-Kulbasi, Ayatollah Hajji Mohammad Ibrahim, Al-Khassaaiss ul-Abbasiyya (The particularities of al-Abbas). Al-Maktaba al-Haydariyya Publications - Qum. First Edition, 2000 A.D. - 1420 A.H.
Besides, I referred to other reference books that dealt with this personality whose heroism and high moral standards are too great to be contained.
As a matter of fact, all books dealing with the tragic story of Karbala have referred, though in brief, to the personality of al-Abbas ibn Ali. Yet, they have not referred to all the topics and details of his life, because his situation in Karbala that was unique and unmatched in all of its dimensions has taken all the time of
