History has known the destructive jealousy of the sons of Prophet Yaqub (as), however the sons of Al Abbas (rta), Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) uncle, sought inspiration from each other. Each one of these fifteen siblings sought to learn from the Prophet (sa) and further Islam in their own individual capacities. Fadl Ibn Abbas (rta) is our centre of conversation in this blog.
His early years
Al Fadl (rta) was the oldest son of Al Abbas and Lubabah (rta), and this earned Al Abbas (ra) his Kunniyah, Abul Fadl. He was born in 614, four years after revelation. He is sometimes confused in the Seerah as his namesake from the descendants of Ali ibn Abi Talib (rta), who was one of the warriors of Karbala. Fadl (rta) was the oldest cousin of the Messenger (sa) from the progeny of Al Abbas (rta).
Abdullah ibn Abbas (rta) describes Fadl (rta) as being extremely handsome, with an awe-inspiring presence. As the eldest son, Fadl (rta) always aided Al Abbas (rta) in his affairs, training to become the tribal leader after his father.
He stayed with his father until the conquest of Makkah and did not announce his Islam until then.
‘The riding Companion of Prophet Muhammad (sa)’
The Prophet (sa) appointed Al Abbas (rta) as his emissary after the Conquest of Makkah and he started to take Fadl (rta) as his riding companion. The Battle of Hunayn soon followed, one of the most difficult battles of the Prophet (sa), where Fadl (rta) was the first to carry the standard of Banu Haashim after converting to Islam.
The Prophet (sa) was overjoyed to be surrounded and supported by his cousins. Only eight people stood firm with him during the initial chaos and Al Fadl (rta) was one of them.
Witnessing the Prophet Muhammad ‘s (sa) Hajj
Al Fadl (rta) was one of the riding companions of the Prophet (sa) during the Farewell Pilgrimage too, and we learn a lot of Fiqh through these riding companions. Imagine being chosen as the Prophet’s (sa) riding companion amongst over one hundred thousand pilgrims! The Messenger (sa) left for Hajj with Usama ibn Zayd (rta) as his riding companion from Arafah to Muzdalifah at a quick pace. From Muzadalifah to Mina, Al Fadl (rta) was his riding companion, and the Prophet (sa) kept reciting the Talbiyah till the stoning and then changed his chant to Takbeerat.
Abdullah ibn Abbas (rta) narrates that on Eid day too, Al Fadl (rta) was riding with the Prophet (sa). The Messenger (sa) got down from his camel to answer the people’s questions while Al Fadl (rta) held his camel. A beautiful young woman from the tribe of Khafaa came to ask the Prophet (sa) whether she could perform Hajj on behalf of her old and weak father.
Al Fadl (rta) started to gaze at the woman and she returned his gaze. The Prophet (sa) gently averted his face, but Al Fadl (rta) turned again. The Prophet (sa) had to avert his face thrice before Al Fadl (rta) realized he was being admonished to lower his gaze.
This shows the gentle and empathetic upbringing of the Messenger (sa). He wanted to help Al Fadl (rta) preserve his Hajj and thereafter become an example to all Muslim men to lower their gaze, especially in the presence of women.
The last moments with the Prophet Muhammad (sa)
Al Fadl (rta) and Ali (rta) carried Prophet Muhammad (sa) when he was too weak to walk unsupported to the Masjid and to Ayesha’s (rta) house. He also helped wash, shroud and lay the Prophet (sa) in the grave.
A Courageous Mujahid
Al Fadl (rta) fought under the command of Abu Ubaydah (rta) for the opening of Shaam and fought in Yarmuk using the shield of the Messenger (sa). He was also a frontline warrior in the opening of Amman, fighting courageously against the heavily armoured Romans. Al Fadl (rta) is reported to have died in the plague of Amwaas and so he is buried in Shaam.
Amazing Iman of extraordinary people like Al Fadl (rta) moves our hearts and inspires us to action today. Islam set the benchmark by preserving the life accounts of the Sahabah. We need not look elsewhere for role models today. It will only confuse us, disappoint us and even mislead us.Allah (swt) states in the Quran about the Sahabah’s Iman: “And the first forerunners (in the faith) among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneathwhich rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.” (At Taubah 9:100).
