Hazrat Awais Qarni (R.A)

Awais bin Bashir (Arabic: أُوَيْس ٱبْن عَامِر ٱبْن جَزْء ٱبْن مَالِك ٱلْقَرَنِيّ, ʾUways ibn ʿĀmir ibn Jazʾ ibn Mālik al-Qaranīy), also spelled Uways or Owais, was a Muslim from Yemen who lived during the lifetime of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

His burial place is in Raqqa, Syria. Although he lived during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, he never physically met him so he is not counted among the Companions of the Prophet.

Among the Tabi'un he is specially known as Khayr al-Tabi'een (Arabic: خَيْر ٱلتَّابِعِين, lit. 'The Best of the Tabi'un') and Sayyid al-Tabi'een Fi Zamanahu (Arabic: سَيِّد ٱلتَّابِعِين فِي زَمَانَه, lit. 'Leader of the Tabi'un of his Era'). His memorial shrine is in al-Raqqah, Syria. It was destroyed in 2013.

Owais Qarni’s is a story that sets an example for all the Muslims as how even without meeting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), one may still earn Allah’s favor and His pleasure, on account of his unflinching love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Owais Qarni (may Allah bless him) could never meet the Prophet (peace be upon him) in person, but he is arguably the only person in Islamic history who is said to have been accorded the status of sahabi (companion) by none other than Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself. (To be a companion, it required the criterion of meeting the Prophet while having faith.)

Imam Muslim named one full chapter in his one of the most reliable tomes of Hadith in Qarni’s name: “The Virtues of Owais Qarni” in Sahih Muslim. It records a Hadith quoting Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who said: “I heard Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, saying: ‘There would come to you Owais b. Amir, of Qarn, a branch of the Murid tribe, along with the reinforcement of the people of Yemen. He had been suffering from leprosy which would have been cured but for the space of a dirham. His treatment with his mother would have been very kind. If he would take an oath in the name of Allah (for something), He would honor it. Ask him to beg forgiveness for you (from Allah) in case it is possible for you.”

Qarni was born in Asir region of Saudi Arabia, 594CE. His father, Aamir, was a God-fearing person. He gave Islamic education to his son but died leaving Owais an orphan at a young age. The family was poor and could not afford higher education for him. He devoted him to praying, fasting and service to his mother. Owais had profound love for Islam and its Messenger.

Owais learned that there is a great reward in Islam for serving parents. His mother was sick and blind. So he devoted himself solely to the service of his mother.

He was 28 years of age when Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) had migrated to Madinah Munawwarah. He had a keen desire to visit him, but was preoccupied with the service of his sick mother. Yet he would keep a tab on the developments in Hijaz.

When he heard about the sad news of the Battle of Ohud (625CE), when a tooth of the Prophet was martyred, Qarni out of love for him, broke all his teeth. Thus was his love for the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) knew about Qarni and his love for him. He once told Omar ibn Khattab about Qarni and had predicted that Omar would meet Qarni after his (the Prophet’s) departure from the world. He gave all the details about him and advised him to seek prayers for his forgiveness and for the whole Ummah.

The companions asked if they could see him but the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “No, only Omar bin Khattab and Ali would meet him,” and gave identity marks of Qarni. He directed Omar and Ali: “When you see him, convey to him my salaam and ask him to pray for my Ummah.”

During Prophet (peace be upon him)’s last days, he asked Omar and Ali to pass his Jubba (the blessed cloak) to Qarni and ask him to pray for the forgiveness of the Muslim Ummah. This demonstrates the exalted status of Qarni.