Abbas B. Ali B. Abu Taleb: Difference between revisions

‘Abbas’s likeness, generally as a warrier riding his white stallion, has been represented in many ways (sometimes while cleaving his enemies to the waist with a single blow of his sword) in frescoes, paintings on wooden tablets, glass, and cloth (qalamkar), oil-painted shamayel used for pardadari (q.v.), on standards, in ceramics, lithographed illustrations, and so on. [[Saqqakhanas]] (water fountains), often built near a [[tekya]] (hall for the Moharram ceremonies), are generally dedicated to Hazrat-e ʿAbbas. Such votive chapels (few are extant) are sometimes decorated with tilework (kashikari) scenes depicting ‘Abbas’s heroic deeds and martyrdom similar to those found on tekya walls.

==Shrine of al- ‘Abbas==

‘Abbas’s shrine is located in the town of [[Karbala]] on the northeast side of Imam Husayn’s mausoleum. Both shrines are built on a mound overlooking the town. Since they are visited by many pilgrims practically all year long, both have numerous servants (sayyeds, mollas, etc.) for upkeep and administration. ‘Abbas’s shrine is built in a vast enclosure. Access to it is obtained through a succession of portals richly decorated with stalactites and enameled tiles, some of which copy ancient originals. The grave itself, covered with a golden dome (formerly an enameled faience cupola), has been recently renovated (1385/1965-66). As is the case for other martyrs of Karbala, there are special prayers and rituals to be performed at his grave; and important Muslim personalities (ʿolamaʾ, sultans, ministers, are buried in the precinct of his shrine.

==References==