Loyalty of al-Abbas [a]

"Surely our remembrance [dhikr] is from the remembrance of Allah"
- Imam Muhammad b.Ali al-Baqir [a] al-Kafi Vol.2, pg. 496, no.2
Mubarak to the lovers of the Ahlul-bayt [a] on the Wiladat of Imam Husayn [a], Abul Fadl al-Abbas [a], and Imam Sajjad [a]. Indeed Sha'baan is the blessed month of joy in which there is nothing but blessings and celebrations, including the upcoming Wiladat of our Master and Imam on 15th Sha'baan. And to emphasize the connection between Imam Husayn [a] and the mission of Imam al-Mahdi [a], one just needs to gaze upon the millions that will gather in Kerbala on the 15th of this month.Surely it is fitting that the Wiladat of Abul Fadl [a] follows the Wiladat of his Master, for there is no separating the two brothers! The following are a number of ahadith regarding Al-Abbas:
Imam Sadiq [a] said:"Our uncle Abbas the son of Ali had a penetrating insight and a firm faith." (A'yan al-Shia, vol. 7, p. 430)
Those familiar with the tragedy of Kerbala have attempted to understand the role, status, sacrifice, and courage of Abbas ibn Ali [a]. One such example is as follows: amidst the preparations of war, Abbas ibn Ali [a] and his brothers were offered a letter from Ubaydullah, commander in chief of Yazid's army, ensuring their safety. Abbas ibn Ali [a] turned towards Shimr, who was carrying the letter, and said: "May Allah curse you and the letter you have brought. Are you offering us safety while the son of the Messenger of Allah is not safe?" With those words he sent them back into their own army.Or is it possible to recognize his magnificence and status at the time when Imam Husayn [a] bid farewell to those who were willing to give up before the battle? "I have given permission for all of you to leave. You are free (to go)," said Imam Husayn [a]. "Leave and you no longer need to remain true to your allegiance with me". It was Abul Fadl al-Abbas [a] who broke the silence and said: "Why should we perform such an act? To live after you, never! May Allah (SWT) forbid such a day! "What degree of faith lies within him, which causes him to recite epic verses while his right hand has been cut off by the army of Yazid? In a situation all others would fail to handle, Abbas [a] said:"By Allah (SWT), if you cut my right hand, I will never stand back, and I will protect my religion; and I will support the Imam who stands firm in his belief, and is the grandson of the pure and truthful Prophet."Abul Fadl al-Abbas [a] is that same person whom when Imam Husayn [a] hurried to his martyred body, made a statement that he had never before: a statement, which is another proof for the status of Abbas [a]. In losing his brother, Imam Hussain (A.S.) said: "(and) now my back has broken!"Imam Sajjad [a] has said about his uncle: "May Allah bless Abbas the son of Ali, who dedicated (his life), was examined by calamity, and lost his life for his brother to the extent that his two hands were cut off. Verily Abbas has a status in the presence of Allah that all the martyrs will envy on the Day of Judgment" Thus, in congratulating the lovers of the Ahlul-bayt [a] on this auspicious occasion, we pay that we are granted to visitation (Ziyarah) of Kerbala and Najaf very soon, and that we learn the lesson of true loyalty towards our present Imam [a].
ﺑﺎﺲ ﻋﻠﻲﺮﻀﺎ ﺍﻣﻴﺮﻋﻠﻲ ﻜﺮﻴﻢ--"A person who fulfills the need of one of our friends is like the one who has fulfilled the need for all of us (the Ahlul-bayt)." - Imam Musa b. Ja'far al-Kazim [a] Bihar Vol.100, pg.121, sec.2, no.26