Hazrat Ali Akbar-Role Model for Youths

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Among the martyrs of Karbala, Hazrat Ali Akbar represents how the handsome looks of a youth should be matched by good deeds. His birthday (10^th /11^th Shaban) is rightly celebrated as the Day of Youth in Iran. He is indeed a role model for youths of all times because of his bravery, sense of duty, noble character, generosity, geniality and love for justice. Ali Akbar was born to Imam Hussain probably in 42 AH in Medina. He bore striking resemblance to his great grand father Prophet Hazrat Mohammad. His voice and eloquent manner of speech brought sweet memories of the Prophet to the people. Imam Hussain was often heard to say “Whenever I remember the holy Prophet, I look at the face of Ali Akbar”.

He learnt the art of fencing from Hazrat Abbas whose very name is synonym of bravery.  His character and face resembled Prophet but he was like his grand father Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib in bravery. He had a beautiful voice and used to recite azan. Ali Akbar was extremely popular among the youths but his exemplary martyrdom on 10^th Muharram in 61 AH (680 AD) made him immortal. How duty bound he was on Ashura both as a son and savior of Islam is reflected from his introduction to his foes “I am Ali, the son of Husain, the son of Ali, By the House of God, we are those with the Prophet righteously, By God, the son of a spurious son, will not judge us, "I will strike with the blow of a Hashmi, a Quraishi. “ He fought so bravely despite hunger and thirst that no one dared to come close to him in single combat. Ali Akbar killed many famous warriors with his sword. His repeated attacks with matchless ferocity prompted Yazid’s commander, Umar-E-Saad to ask his soldiers to refrain from single combat and surround the Hashemite prince from all sides to kill him. Narrators have recorded him saying, "When he dies, Hussain will not want to live! Ali Akbar is the life of Hussain."

How strong was the bond of Imam Hussain with his son is demonstrated by his words while sending Ali Akbar to Maidan-E-Kaarsaz( Battle field).He held God as witness and said “I am now offering  as sacrifice a person who is the carbon copy of the Prophet. Whenever I missed seeing Your Prophet, I look at him”. Then, Imam recited ayah 34 of Surah Aal-E- Imran of the holy Quran “Indeed Allah chose Adam and Noah, and the progeny of Abraham and the progeny of Imran above all the nations."




Agha Moosvi in his message delivered on Hazrat Ali Akbar’s birth day in the recent past was justified when he called the young son of Imam Hussain as moazzin (one who shouts the call to prayer)-e-Hussainiyat. His exacts word are “Hussainiyat is the name of Deen-O-Shariat while Deen-O-Shariat is commensurate with respect of mankind, safety of human beings and excellence of humanity. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH&HP) is the extract of all prophets (AS) while the message of Karbala is the essence of deen (faith) and shahzada Ali Akbar (AS) is moazzin of the message of Karbala.”

As yet another birthday of Hashemite prince is being celebrated, each Imami must remember that Hussaini Mission needs youths like Ali Akbar. They should not only held him in the highest esteem but also treat him as their role model for overcoming the worldly problems  that usually leave them stranded and stressed.(This article has been written as a homage to Hazrat Ali Akbar on his birthday and reference is available on request).  Photo Courtesy- Google Images