Iran Press/ Middle East: Tasua is the ninth day of Muharram month, before Ashura day. The day has been named in honor of Hazrat Abbas (AS) because of his obedience and loyalty to Imam Hussain (AS) either as his brother or the commander of his 72-soldier army or his Saqqa, who was responsible for bringing water to the children.
More than 1,300 years ago, in 680 AD, Imam Hussein (AS), a grandson of Islam's Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his 72 companions were martyred in the Battle of Karbala, in southern Iraq, after fighting courageously for justice against the much larger army of the Umayyad caliph, Yazid I.
Hazrat Abbas was a true commander and ready to fight the outnumbered troops of the Yzaid I's army, about 30,000, and defend Imam Hussain (AS); yet as the Imam (AS) was suffering in heart for the children's thirst in his caravan, ordered his brother, Abbas, to bring some water for them.
The Yazid's army had cut off the Euphrates' water to Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions for three days in the hot desert of Karbala. Abbas (AS managed to break the enemies' siege and reached the river; He was thirsty himself but did not drink water as he remembered the children's thirst.
He picked up some water and rode his horse to reach the children when the Yazid's forces ambushed on his way; they cut his hands and hit the waterskins he was carrying for the children with arrows, then his eyes, then hit him on his head.
Abbas (AS) got martyred moments before his brother Imam Hussain (AS).
Now, still, after about 1400 years, the free people of the world, generation to generation, commemorate Abbas' (AS) sacrifice on his day Tasua.
Tomorrow, July 27, 2023, Muharram 9, 1445 AH, is the Tasua occasion.
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