In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Bab al-Hawa’ij (The Door to Fulfilling People’s Needs)
The nickname of Bab al-Hawaij is one of the most famous nicknames of Hadrat Ab al-Fadl al-Abbas (PBUH) amongst the Shiites. It could be claimed that this nickname is not unfounded, as Hadrat Ab al-Fadl al-Abbas (PBUH) is one of the doors of the infinite mercy of Allah (SWT) whom we seek refuge from the difficulties of this world and the Hereafter.
On the other hand, when we refer to the sayings of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) in regards to Hadrat Ab al-Fadl al-Abbas (PBUH), their love for him is evident. On the day Hadrat Ab al-Fadl al-Abbas (PBUH) was born, Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) kissed his hands and cried(1). According to the Ahadith, on the Day of Judgment, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) will ask Lady Fatimah (PBUH), ”O Fatimah! What have you brought today to intercede for the nation?” Then, she will reply, ”O father! The two cut hands of my son Abbas are enough to intercede for the nation (2).”
According to the Ahadith, Imam Hussain (PBUH) has addressed his brother, Hadrat Ab al-Fadl al-Abbas (PBUH), by saying, ”May I sacrifice my life for you! (3).” Moreover, Imam Sajjad (PBUH) has said the following in this regards, ”May Allah (SWT) bless Abbas (PBUH) who preferred the life of his brother (Imam Hussain (PBUH)) over his own life, suffered (in this way), and sacrificed his life for his brother…There is a high status for Abbas (PBUH) before Allah (SWT) such that all the martyrs will envy his status on the Day of Judgment (4)”.
But why is it so? How has he become Bab al-Hawa’ij? In fact, how has he gained such an extreme love from the greatest guardians of Allah (SWT)?
If we study different portions of Hadrat Abbas’s (PBUH) life, we come to realize that he was completely obedient to the orders of Allah (SWT), and undoubtedly, his high rank and status is based on his unconditional obedience of the religion of Allah (SWT). This righteous servant of Allah (SWT) was so obedient that on the day of Ashura and in the last moments of his life when his right hand was cut, he said, ”I swear to Allah (SWT) that even if you cut my right hand, I would never give up supporting the religion of Allah (SWT), the messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP), and the righteous Imam (5)”.
Hadrat Abalfadl al-Abbas (PBUH) was martyred in this path, and became one of the purified and highly ranked souls. Indeed, such a righteous person shall become a beloved one of Allah (SWT) and His guardians (PBUT), and it is appropriate for such a person, who is following the path of content and submission, to help people, intercede for them, and become the door to fulfilling their needs. Of course, Hadrat Abbas (PBUH) is a manifest example of the need fulfilling attribute of Allah (SWT).
(Selection taken from,” Khasaa’is al-Abbasyyah”, by Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Ibrahim Kalbasi (with summarization))
The Roshd Website congratulates all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon the 4th of Sha’ban, the birthday anniversary of the righteous servant of Allah (SWT) and the door to fulfilling people’s needs,
Hadrat Ab al-Fadl al-Abbas (PBUH)
Roshd Islamic Shia Website
Footnotes:
1. Anwar Nu’mani, vol. 1, p. 124
2. Asrar al-Shahadat, vol. 2, p. 412
3. Tarikh Tabari, vol. 4, p. 315
4. Khisal of Shaykh Saduq, p. 68
5. Maqtal Abu-Yusuf, p. 179
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