The Outrider: Abu al-Fadl al-'Abbas

Abū al-Faḍl al-ʿAbbās was a half-brother, diplomat, and negotiator of al-Ḥusayn, and was named Distinguished Scholar of Shia Studies in the Islamic Republic of Iran's 28th World Book Awards in 2020. He is currently a resident faculty member of PISAI and a visiting lecturer at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2024
Publisher: Gorgias Press

Abū al-Faḍl al-ʿAbbās, the half-brother of al-Ḥusayn, was a prominent diplomat and negotiator during the early Islamic period. He was born in Mecca in 605 CE and grew up in a family of scholars and religious leaders. Al-ʿAbbās was known for his wisdom, eloquence, and diplomatic skills, and he played a crucial role in the political and religious affairs of the Islamic world.

One of the most significant events in al-ʿAbbās's life was his role in the Battle of Karbala. In 680 CE, al-ʿAbbās was sent by his brother, al-Ḥusayn, to negotiate with the Umayyad army led by Yazid I. The Umayyads had invaded Iraq and were seeking to eliminate the Shia Muslims. Al-ʿAbbās was able to convince Yazid to withdraw his army and to allow the Shia Muslims to return to their homes.

However, the Umayyads were not satisfied with al-ʿAbbās's terms and continued to persecute the Shia Muslims. In 686 CE, al-ʿAbbās was assassinated by a group of Umayyad agents. His death was a significant blow to the Shia Muslims and to the cause of Islam.

Despite his death, al-ʿAbbās's legacy continued to live on. He is remembered as a hero and a martyr in the Shia Muslim community, and his teachings continue to inspire Muslims today. Al-ʿAbbās's teachings emphasized the importance of justice, equality, and compassion, and he worked to promote these values throughout the Islamic world.

In addition to his diplomatic and religious work, al-ʿAbbās was also a prolific writer. He wrote numerous books and treatises on various topics, including theology, philosophy, and ethics. His most famous work is the "Kitab al-Kafi," which is a comprehensive collection of Shia Islamic teachings.

Al-ʿAbbās's teachings were influential in shaping the Islamic world, and they continue to be studied and debated today. His ideas have been used to justify various political and religious movements, and they have been criticized for their perceived intolerance and exclusivity.

Despite these criticisms, al-ʿAbbās's legacy remains a significant part of the Islamic world. He is remembered as a hero and a martyr, and his teachings continue to inspire Muslims today. His works have been translated into numerous languages, and they have been studied in universities and religious institutions around the world.

In conclusion, Abū al-Faḍl al-ʿAbbās was a prominent diplomat and negotiator during the early Islamic period. He was known for his wisdom, eloquence, and diplomatic skills, and he played a crucial role in the political and religious affairs of the Islamic world. His legacy continues to live on today, and his teachings continue to inspire Muslims around the world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781463246211