Sahabi-e-Rasool Uwais al-Qarni (ra)

Love is the only melody welcomed by its sufferer, who never desires to recover from it. All the sick hope to be cured, but this sick one sobs, crying "Increase my Sickness." - Maulana Rumi

Hazrat Owais Qarni was born in the village of Qarn in Yemen. His father passed away leaving Hazrat Owais Qarni an orphan at a very young age. Hazrat Owais Qarni was a very pious and noble person. He had embraced Islam while Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam was still alive. He naturally had a very strong desire to see Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) but since his mother was too old and she needed his help and care, he could not visit Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam in Madinah. As a reward of his service to his mother, he was given the title and status of a Sahabi-e-Rasool (Companion of Prophet) even though he could not see Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) personally in his life time.

A famous story regarding Hazrat Uwais al-Qarni: After the second battle of Islam called as Battle of Uhud, when Hazrat Owais Qarni came to know that Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam had lost a few teeth during the encounter, he himself broke all his teeth one by one till none was left - as he did not know exactly how many or which ones were lost by Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam. His extreme love for Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam made him question why he should have teeth when Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam had lost his own.

Many times in the company of his Companions, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) stated, "I can smell the beauty of my friend from the land of Yemen." This statement is in direct reference to the spiritual greatness of Hazrat Uwais al-Qarni.

One day, Hazrat Owais Qarni had asked his mother's permission to visit Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and she said: "You have my permission to go, see him once, and come straight back without staying over night in Madinah. If our Beloved Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam is at home, you may meet with him; if not, come straight back here." Hazrat Owais Qarni then completed a journey of three months on foot, from Yemen to Madinah. When he reached Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam's house, he knocked on the door and Ummul Momineen Hazrat Umme Salma opened the door. She told him that Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam was not in home and he (saw) was out of station. Hazrat Owais Qarni remembered his promise to his mother and replied, "Please convey my Salaams to my Beloved Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam. Kindly inform him that Owais came from Yemen, did not find him at home and is now returning back to Yemen, since he does not have permission from his mother to stay over night in Madinah."

When Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam returned home from the journey, he (pbuh) found the radiance of Hazrat Uwais al-Qarni in his house. Ummul Momineen Hazrat Umme Salma told him what had happened and conveyed Hazrat Owais Qarni's salutations. His blessed eyes looked towards Yemen and our Beloved Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam said, "The fragrance of our friend is reaching us."

Noble Companions then enquired: "Ya Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, if Owais is your friend, for what reason did he not stay to meet you?" To this, Rasulallah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam replied, "He complied with a promise given to his mother and he is serving her."

As reported by the renowned historical scholar Ibn Batutah, Hazrat Owais Qarni's tomb is found in Ar-Raqqah, Syria, where he was martyred in the Battle of Siffin. He fought for Imam Ali (as) against Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan in the Battle of Siffin in 657 CE.