Ali al-Akbar ibn Husayn

Ali al-Akbar ibn Husayn (علي الأكبر بن حسين) (Eleventh of Sha'aban 42 AH 662 - Tenth of Muharram 61 AH / October 10 680) was the son of the third Shi'ah Imam, Husayn ibn Ali, and Umm Layla.

Life
Zaynab bint Ali, Husayn ibn Ali's younger sister, raised Ali Al-Akbar. His other two brothers were also named Ali: Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn and Zayn al-Abidin. Abbas ibn Ali, Ali Akbar's uncle taught him fencing and archery. He so much resembled Muhammad that Husayn ibn Ali often said, "whenever I remember my maternal grandfather I look at Akbar." Ali Akbar was killed by Murrah ibn Munqad in the Battle of Karbala.

A Traditional Account of His Martyrdom at the 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 azaan. Husayn ibn Ali, and many women in their tents, began to weep when Ali Akbar began calling out the azaan, knowing that it maybe the last time they are hearing Ali Akbar’s azaan.

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.

Husayn ibn Ali helped his son mount his horse. As Akbar began to ride towards the battlefield he heard footsteps behind him. He looked back and saw his father. He said, "Father, we have said good-bye. Why are you walking behind me?" Husayn ibn Ali replied, "My son, if you had a son like yourself then you would have surely understood!"

He killed many well-known warriors. No one dared to come close to him in a single combat. Umar Sa'ad ordered his soldiers to kill him, saying, "When he dies, Husayn will not want to live! Ali Akbar is the life of Husayn." While a few soldiers attacked Ali Akbar, Murrah ibn Munqad threw a spear through Ali Akbar’s chest. Murrah ibn Munqad then broke the wooden part of the spear and left the blade inside Ali Akbar's chest, to cause him more pain. As Ali Akbar fell from his horse, he said, "O Father, my last salaams to you! Here is my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah, giving me my water. He says yours is here waiting for you". The reason he said this was because after Ali Akbar killed significant members of the enemy forces, he went to Husayn and said he is too thirsty to fight. Husayn was very sad and told his son: 'Do not worry, Akbar. After you are martyred your grandfather, the Messenger of Allah, will give you water that is so sweet, that you will never forget the taste'.

When Husayn ibn Ali heard Akbar's salaam he looked at Furaat where Abbas ibn Ali's body was laying and asked, "Abbas, now that this brother of your needs you the most, where have you gone?" Husayn ibn Ali walked towards the battlefield.

When Husayn ibn Ali went to Akbar, Akbar placed his right hand on his wounded chest and his left arm over the shoulder of his father. Husayn ibn Ali asked, "Akbar, why do you embrace me with only one arm?" Akbar did not reply. Husayn ibn Ali tried to move Akbar's right hand, but Akbar resisted. Husayn ibn Ali forcefully moved the hand. Then he saw the blade of the spear. Husayn ibn Ali laid Ali Akbar on the ground and sat on his knees, he placed both of his hands on the blade of the spear. He looked at Najaf, and said, "Father, I too have come to my Khaybar!" He pulled out the blade, with it came the heart of Ali Akbar (a.s), Hussain wept and distraught seeing his son in such pain and stress. Ali Akbar sent spoke his last salaam and was released to the heavens.