‘Ali al-Akbar ibn Al-Husayn عـلي الأكـبـر ابـن الـحـسـيـن |
|
---|---|
Born | Monday, 11th of Sha'ban, 42 A.H. / 30th of November, 662 (Gregorian Calendar) Medina, Hijaz |
Died | Friday, 10th of Muharram, 61 A.H. / 10 October, 680 (Gregorian Calendar) (aged 18 years 4 months 29 days) Karbala’, ‘Iraq |
Burial | Imam Hussain Shrine |
Father | Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali |
Mother | Umme Layla |
‘Ali al-Akbar ibn Al-Husayn (Arabic: علي الأكبر ابن الحسين), or simply "Ali al-Akbar," was the son of Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali, the third Shi‘ite Imam, and Umme Layla. He was killed at the age of 18, 19 or 25 on the day of ‘Ashura’, in Karbala’. ‘Ali Al-Akbar is also highly respected by Sunni Muslims. According to Jean Calmard writing in Iranica, ‘Ali al-Akbar's reputation as a valiant warrior of the Household of Muhammad might have preceded that of Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Ali.
Two of his brothers were also named Ali, Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn and Zayn al-Abidin. He so much resembled Muhammad, the prophet of Allah, that Husayn ibn Ali often said, "whenever I happen to miss my maternal grandfather I use to look at the face of Ali al-Akbar." Ali al-Akbar was killed by Murrah ibn Munqad on 10 Muharram 61 AH in battle of Karbala.
He had a loud and beautiful voice, on the morning of the day of Ashura, Husayn ibn Ali asked Ali Akbar to call out the Adhan. Husayn ibn Ali, and many women in their tents, began to weep when Ali Akbar began calling out the Adhan, suspecting that it may be the last time they heard Ali Akbar give Adhan.
Ali Akbar stood in front of Husayn ibn Ali after Zuhr prayers and said: "Father I request for permission to go and fight the enemies of Islam." His father gave him permission and said, "May Allah be with you! But Akbar, you know how much your mother, sisters, and aunts love you. Go and say farewell to them." Ali Akbar went into the tent of his mother. Every time he wanted to come out of the tent his mother, aunts, and sisters would pull his cloak and say, "O Akbar, How will we live without you?" Husayn ibn Ali had to plead with all to let Ali Akbar go.