Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS), the son of Abi Abdullah Al-Husayn (AS), was born according to a narration on the eleventh of Sha'ban in Medina. His honorable father was Imam Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS), and his respected mother was Layla bint Abi Murrah ibn Urwah ibn Mas'ud Thaqafi.
A Look at the Life of Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS)
Ali ibn Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (33–61 AH), known as Ali Akbar, was the son of Imam Husayn (AS) and Layla bint Abi Murrah, and one of the martyrs of Karbala. Some consider him the eldest son of Imam Husayn (AS). Imam Husayn (AS) described him as the person most resembling the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), saying that whenever they longed to see the Prophet, they would look at Ali Akbar. On the day of Ashura, Ali Akbar was the first member of the Banu Hashim to be martyred. His father was present by his body and cursed his killers. Ali Akbar is buried at the foot of his father, and his grave is inside the shrine of Imam Husayn (AS). Some Shia Muslims dedicate the 8th of Muharram to Ali Akbar and hold mourning ceremonies for him. In some regions, they also perform passion plays (Ta’ziyah) in his honor.
Moral Characteristics of Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS)
Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS) was one of the most prominent examples of perfection, purity, and bravery. According to Imam Husayn (AS), Ali Akbar resembled the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in appearance, character, and speech. Some sources mention that from the perspective of Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, Ali Akbar was the most deserving person to rule because his grandfather was the Prophet, and he possessed traits such as the courage of Banu Hashim, the beauty of Thaqif, and the generosity of Banu Umayyah. Before and after the greeting to Imam Husayn (AS) in the Ziyarat Ashura, a separate greeting is addressed to Ali Akbar. Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS) narrated hadiths from his grandfather Imam Ali (AS) and also from Aisha. Due to the proper upbringing by Imam Husayn (AS), Ali Akbar was adorned with the finest traits of perfection. In his existence and life, factors essential to shaping any person's character—such as noble lineage, upbringing, inheritance, and acquisition of knowledge and virtues—were present. His manners, behavior, movements, dignity, and composure were of the highest degree of brilliance; it is said that Ali Akbar embodied the movements and behaviors of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was considered the inheritor of all the virtues of the family of purity and infallibility.
Wife of Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS)
Some ziyarat texts mention "peace be upon your children," which indicates that Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS) had a wife and children. Some historical accounts mention that his children were martyred in Karbala under the horses. However, various historical sources do not mention the name of his wife. There is also a weak narration suggesting that Ali Akbar never married.
Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS) in the Event of Karbala
Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS) was present alongside his father in Karbala. According to Aqbah ibn Samaan, near the camp of Tha’labiya or the palace of Bani Muqatil, Imam Husayn (AS) fell asleep on his horse’s saddle and, upon awakening, recited the verse of lamentation (istirja’), prophesying his own and his companions’ martyrdom. At this moment, Ali Akbar responded: “Then we shall not hesitate to die while being on the truth.”
Ali Akbar’s mother was from the Banu Umayyah tribe. Because of this, on the day of Ashura, he was offered to join Yazid ibn Muawiyah but refused, saying, "The kinship of the Messenger of Allah deserves to be looked after." When Umar ibn Sa’d saw him on the battlefield, he asked him to leave the battlefield to be safe, but Ali Akbar refused, saying: “I am Ali, the son of Husayn ibn Ali. By the House of Allah (the Kaaba), we are more deserving than the Prophet (PBUH). By God, this bastard cannot command us; I will support my father and fight with my sword.” He fought with the sword as a young warrior from the lineage of Hashim and Quraysh.
Shrine of Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS)
The tomb of Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS) is in Karbala, near the feet of his father, Husayn ibn Ali. Some say that the reason the shrine has six corners is due to this. Initially, his head was sent to Ibn Ziyad in Kufa, then to Yazid in Damascus, and finally, according to common belief, Lady Azra from the Banu Asad tribe buried it in the Bab al-Saghir cemetery. Seyyed Mohsen Amin, a contemporary scholar, believes that in Bab al-Saghir, the head of Ali Akbar was buried along with others like Abbas ibn Ali and Habib ibn Muzahir. However, some others say the heads of the martyrs were transferred to Karbala and buried beside their bodies. This view is widely accepted among both Shia and Sunni. According to some historical narrations, Ali Akbar (AS) was 25 or 28 years old at the time of martyrdom; some say he was 18 or 19 years old on the day of Ashura.
