Abbas, The Prophet’s Uncle

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‘Abbas, the uncle of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w), was a person who exhibited great kindness towards his relatives and thus found himself to be an object of praise and commendation of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w), who lauded him by saying:

هَذاَ عَبَّاس بنُ عَبدِ الْمُطَّلِب اَجوَدُ قُرَيش کفًّا وَ اَوصَلُها رَحماً

“Abbas Ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib is the most generous and benevolent towards his relatives from amongst all the Quraish.”

During one of the battles, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w) ordered: “Whoever happens to encounter anyone from the Bani Hashim (during the battle) should not kill him, for the Bani Hashim have been made to participate in the battle under compulsion.”

During the battle of Badr a person by the name of Abu Yasir captured Abbas, who, not intending to resist the capture stood firm and unmoving like a staff. When the battle had concluded the Noble Prophet (s.a.w), for the sake of equity, did not exhibit any discrimination between Abbas and the other captives.

At night all the captives were tied by means of ropes and Abbas was seated near the tent of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w). The moans and groans of Abbas kept reaching his (s.a.w) ears as a result of which, he could not sleep till midnight and kept turning from one side to another. One of the Muslims, who was near him (s.a.w), inquired: “O’ Prophet of Allah! Why do you not sleep?”

He (s.a.w) replied: “The moans of my uncle Abbas distress me and prevent me from sleeping.” A little later the moans subsided and could not be heard anymore. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w) inquired: “What has happened that I do not hear the moans of my uncle Abbas anymore.” The man said: “I have loosened the ropes that bound him.” Hearing this, he (s.a.w) instructed: ”(In that case) loosen the ropes of all the other captives too.”( Paighambar Wa Yaran, vol. 4, pg. 85; Tabaqat, vol. 4, pp. 2-7 ) 

Reference:Anecdotes of Reflection Part 3