" In the Prophet's time, there was a young man with blue eyes, red hair, broad shoulders, quite handsome appearance with reddish skin. Sticking his chin on his chest as he always looking at the place of sujud/sujood (The act of bowing down to Allah in worship. It is a necessary act during salat (worship). The hands, knees, feet and the forehead touch the ground.). His right hand, riding on his left hand. An expert in reading the Quran and always crying, he wore only two pieces of clothes which had worned out, one to cover his body and the other used as a shawl. No one has paid attention to him, he was not known among humans, but very famous among the people of the sky.
When the Day of Judgment comes, and when all worshippers are called to enter Paradise, he thus called to stop for a moment and asked to give his blessing. It is clear that Allah gave him permission to intercede for a certain number of qabilah Robi'ah and qabilah Mudhor, all admitted to the Garden and no one left behind by His permission.
He is 'Uwais al-Qarni' who is nobody in the human eyes ...
Not many know of him, let alone to know his life. Many voices deride, making fun of and mock him.Some also accuse him of being a blarney, a thief and many more. A lot of calumny and censures by the people towards him.
Once, a fuqoha' state of Kuffah, came and wanted to sit with him. He gave Uwais two pieces of clothes as a gift. However, the prize Uwais did not want to receive the clothes and returned them to him. Uwais said: "I fear, soon people will accuse me, from where did I get the clothes? If not by enticing sure of stealing."
Uwais has long been an orphan. He does not have any relatives, except his mother who is old and paralyzed with her remaining blurred vision.To survive his day-to-day life, Uwais worked as a shepherd. Wages he received only enough to meet the daily needs with his mother. When he earned a little bit more than usual, Uwais will use it to help neighbors who live in poverty and deprivation. Even though he was busy as a shepherd and treating her paralyzed and blind mother, that did not influence his persistency to worship Allah. During the day he was fasting and did his supplications at night.
Uwais al-Qarni had converted to Islam when the Prophet Muhammad's call came into the land of Yemen. Rasulullah had knocked their hearts to worship Allah, God Almighty, Who has no associate to Him.
Islam teaches every adherents noble character. The Islamic guidelines captured Uwais's heart. When the call of Islam came to Yemen, he immediately embraced it, because all this while, Uwais always miss the truth. Many of his neighbors who had converted to Islam, went to Medina to listen to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad directly. Upon their return toYemen, they renewed their life with Islamic way of life. How sad Uwais was to see each neighbors return from Medina. They had been visiting and meeting with beloved Prophet Muhammad, and he had no chance.
His loves grew stronger to meet our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH. But what can he do, he did not have enough money to go to Medina. More importance was his mother is sick and needs to be treated. Who will treat his mother during his absence later?
It was told that during battle of Uhud, the Prophet had his teeth broken due stones flung by the enemies. This news came to Uwais. He immediately hit his teeth with a rock till broken. That was done to proof his love towards Prophet Muhammad even though he had never seen him.
Days and seasons passed, he cannot suppresed his desire to meet Prophet anymore. Uwais reflected himself and started to ask, "When will I be able to visit Prophet PBUH and meet him up close and personal?" Did not he has mother who are in need of attention from him and he's not willing to leave her either. His heart is restless day and night longing to meet the Prophet of Allah. Finally, one day Uwais told his mother and poured his heart out. He sought permission from her to go visit the Prophet in Medina. His mother, despite being ill, was moved when she heard his request. She understood well her son's conscience, Uwais and said, "Go, O my son! Meet the Prophet at his house. After the meeting, you must return home immediately." Happily he packed up his stuff and departed. He did not forget to prepare his mother's necessities and advice the neighbors to accompany her during his leaving. After completion of all preparations, Uwais kissed his mother goodbye.
When the Day of Judgment comes, and when all worshippers are called to enter Paradise, he thus called to stop for a moment and asked to give his blessing. It is clear that Allah gave him permission to intercede for a certain number of qabilah Robi'ah and qabilah Mudhor, all admitted to the Garden and no one left behind by His permission.
He is 'Uwais al-Qarni' who is nobody in the human eyes ...
Not many know of him, let alone to know his life. Many voices deride, making fun of and mock him.Some also accuse him of being a blarney, a thief and many more. A lot of calumny and censures by the people towards him.
Once, a fuqoha' state of Kuffah, came and wanted to sit with him. He gave Uwais two pieces of clothes as a gift. However, the prize Uwais did not want to receive the clothes and returned them to him. Uwais said: "I fear, soon people will accuse me, from where did I get the clothes? If not by enticing sure of stealing."
Uwais has long been an orphan. He does not have any relatives, except his mother who is old and paralyzed with her remaining blurred vision.To survive his day-to-day life, Uwais worked as a shepherd. Wages he received only enough to meet the daily needs with his mother. When he earned a little bit more than usual, Uwais will use it to help neighbors who live in poverty and deprivation. Even though he was busy as a shepherd and treating her paralyzed and blind mother, that did not influence his persistency to worship Allah. During the day he was fasting and did his supplications at night.
Uwais al-Qarni had converted to Islam when the Prophet Muhammad's call came into the land of Yemen. Rasulullah had knocked their hearts to worship Allah, God Almighty, Who has no associate to Him.
Islam teaches every adherents noble character. The Islamic guidelines captured Uwais's heart. When the call of Islam came to Yemen, he immediately embraced it, because all this while, Uwais always miss the truth. Many of his neighbors who had converted to Islam, went to Medina to listen to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad directly. Upon their return toYemen, they renewed their life with Islamic way of life. How sad Uwais was to see each neighbors return from Medina. They had been visiting and meeting with beloved Prophet Muhammad, and he had no chance.
His loves grew stronger to meet our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH. But what can he do, he did not have enough money to go to Medina. More importance was his mother is sick and needs to be treated. Who will treat his mother during his absence later?
It was told that during battle of Uhud, the Prophet had his teeth broken due stones flung by the enemies. This news came to Uwais. He immediately hit his teeth with a rock till broken. That was done to proof his love towards Prophet Muhammad even though he had never seen him.
Days and seasons passed, he cannot suppresed his desire to meet Prophet anymore. Uwais reflected himself and started to ask, "When will I be able to visit Prophet PBUH and meet him up close and personal?" Did not he has mother who are in need of attention from him and he's not willing to leave her either. His heart is restless day and night longing to meet the Prophet of Allah. Finally, one day Uwais told his mother and poured his heart out. He sought permission from her to go visit the Prophet in Medina. His mother, despite being ill, was moved when she heard his request. She understood well her son's conscience, Uwais and said, "Go, O my son! Meet the Prophet at his house. After the meeting, you must return home immediately." Happily he packed up his stuff and departed. He did not forget to prepare his mother's necessities and advice the neighbors to accompany her during his leaving. After completion of all preparations, Uwais kissed his mother goodbye.
Uwais then headed to Medina which was about four hundred kilometers (nowadays 1,393 km with 16 hours and 54 minutes driving) from Yemen. He passed through a very hot journey. He did not care about the bandits, the steep hill, a vast desert which can be misleading and too hot during the day, and so cold at night. He did all that to meet up closely with Prophet that he always miss. Uwais al-Qarni arrived in Medina. Immediately he proceeded to Prophet PBUH house, while knocking on the door, Sayyidatina 'Aisha was out to greet Uwais RA. He immediately asked her if Rasulullah was at home, just to find out that he was at battlefield. He was so dissappointed, he came to Prophet PBUH from a far but the one he miss so much was not at home. In his heart, he would want to wait for the Prophet from the battlefield. When will he return? While his mom message is still buzzing in his ears to quickly returned to Yemen."You must hurry back." On obedience to his mother, her message defeated his conscience and will to wait and see the Prophet SAW. He eventually informed Sayyidatina 'Aisha RA that he had to return home. He sent his greeting to Prophet SAW and walked home with a sad heart. Upon his return from the battlefield, Prophet inquired about the man who came looking for him. Prophet Muhammad explained that Uwais al-Qarni was a loyal son to his mother. He is the occupier and very famous in the sky. Hearing those words from Prophet SAW, Sayyidatina 'Aisha RA and his friends were amazed. According to Sayyidatina 'Aisha RA Yes, the Prophet was right, there was a guy looking for Prophet SAW and immediately return back to Yemen because his mother is old and sick that he could not leave her too long.
The Prophet said: "If you want to see him (Uwais al-Qarni), observe, he has a white mark in the middle of his hands."
After the Prophet looked at Sayyidina Ali and Sayyidina Umar RA and said: "At one point, when you meet him, ask for his prayer and istighfar, he is the occupants of the skies not the earth."
Years passed, and not long after the Prophet SAW died, right up until the time of the caliph Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Shiddiq RA has been replaced by the Caliph Umar RA.
Once, Caliph Umar RA remembered the sayings of Prophet SAW about Uwais al-Qarni, the occupier of the skies. He immediately reminded Sayyidina Ali KW together to find him.
Since then, everytime there were caravans from Yemen, they would asked about Uwais al-Qarni, whether he was with them. Among the caravans, some wondered what exactly happened till Uwais was searched by the two.
Caravans from Yemen to Sham come and go, carrying their trades. Once, Uwais al-Qarni had joined a group of caravan to the town of Medina. Seeing a group of caravan from Yemen, Caliph Umar RA and Sayyidina Ali KW mmediately went to them and asked if Uwais also with them. The delegation said that he is and taking care of their camels at the city border. Hearing the answer, they hurried to meet Uwais al-Qarni.
Arriving at the tent where Uwais is, Caliph Umar RA and Sayyidina Ali KW greeted salam to him. But apparently Uwais is praying. When he ended his prayer, Uwais replied the greetings of both great guests and shaked hands with them.While shaking hands, Caliph Umar RA quickly reversed Uwais hands, to prove the truth of a white mark on his palm, as told by Rasulullah. It was true! He is the occupant of sky. He was then asked by both Sayyidina Umar RA and Ali KW, "What is your name?". "Abdullah.", answered Uwais. The two friends then laughed and said, "We are also Abdullah, the servant of God. But what is really your name?" Uwais then said, "My name is Uwais al-Qarni." In their conversation, it was known that Uwais' mother had died. That was why he participated in the caravan trade delegation that time. Finally, Caliph Umar RA and Sayyidina Ali K.W. requested Uwais to pray for them. Uwais refused and he said to the Caliph, "It is me who should request prayers from you." Hearing the word of Uwais, Caliph said, "We came here to ask you to pray and asking forgiveness for us." Due to insistence from both sahabah, Uwais al-Qarni finally lifted his hands, prayed and asked forgiveness for them.
Then the Caliph Umar promised to donate money from the state treasury (Baitulmal) to Uwais, for his life betterment. Immediately and discreetly he rejected by saying,"I beg you that I be known only for today. Let me the unknown poor to others after this. "After that incident, the name of Uwais submerged and not heard anymore.
However, there was a man who had met and being assisted by Uwais. We were on the ship heading to the Arab with all the traders. Unexpectedly a strong typhoon blew turbulently. As a result, the strong waves hit our ship till the water got into the ship and caused the ship to be heavier. At that time, we see a man who impose fur blankets at the corner of the ships that we boarded in, then we call him. The man got out of the ship and kept prayering on the water. We are so surprise to see the incident."O Waliyullah, help us!" However, the man paid no heed. Then we cried again,"By Him Who has to give you strength of worship, help us! "The man turned to us and said,"What happened?" "Do you not see that the ship was blewn and hit by the waves?" Ask us."Bring yourself to God all of you!" He said."We have to do it." "Come out from the ship and read Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiim!" We came out of the ship one by one and assembled. At that time we were in total of five hundred and more. It was miracle, we did not sink, while our boat and its contents sank into the sea.Then he said to us,"It doesn't matter you lost your properties, as long as all of you are safe." "For Allah sake, we would like to know what is your name?" Asked us. "Uwais al-Qorni." He answered quickly.Then we said to him,"Indeed, the properties is that ship are owned by poor people in Medina sent by the Egyptians." "If Allah bring you back the wealths, will you distribute them to poor people in Medina?" He asked. "Yes!" we answered. He then performed 2 rakaah prayer on the water, and prayed. Uwais al-Qarni after giving his salam, the ship suddenly came to the surface, then we board on it and moved on. On arrival at Medina, we divide the whole properties to the poor in Medina, no one was left.
Some time later, there was news spread that Uwais al-Qarni had passed away. Oddly, when he was about to be bathed suddenly there were a lot of people fought to do it. Then when he was on bed to be shrouded, there were people waiting to do it. Similarly goes to when people go to dig his grave. There was already people who had dig his grave through to completion. When the bier carried towards the cemetery, remarkably many people fought to carry him. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salamah explained,"When I go to manage his body until I came back from sending his remains, then I return to the grave to mark the grave, the grave was gone, not even a mark can be seen" (Sheikh Abdullah bin Salamah is one the martyr who go to war with Uwais al-Qarni in the reign of Sayyidina Umar RA)
Uwais al-Qarni's pass away shocked the the whole Yemeni city community. A lot of unusual things happened. So many people who they do not know came to manage the funeral and burial, whereas he is only a poor Uwais who did not own anything. From the bathing of his body till to lowering body into the grave, there are always people who ready to do them first. Yemen townspeople were stumped. All of them were wondering, "Who is actually Uwais al-Qarni? Uwais that we know, only a poor man who do not have anything? He's only a shepherd?" "However, on your last day on earth, you have shocked the people of Yemen of the presence of foreign people who are anonymous to us. They come in such a huge amount. "Perhaps they are the angels who descended to earth, only to manage his body and his funeral.
At that time, then the people of Yemen knew who is Uwais al-Qarni. "He is Uwais al-Qarni, not known on earth, but very famous in the sky."
The Prophet said: "If you want to see him (Uwais al-Qarni), observe, he has a white mark in the middle of his hands."
After the Prophet looked at Sayyidina Ali and Sayyidina Umar RA and said: "At one point, when you meet him, ask for his prayer and istighfar, he is the occupants of the skies not the earth."
Years passed, and not long after the Prophet SAW died, right up until the time of the caliph Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Shiddiq RA has been replaced by the Caliph Umar RA.
Once, Caliph Umar RA remembered the sayings of Prophet SAW about Uwais al-Qarni, the occupier of the skies. He immediately reminded Sayyidina Ali KW together to find him.
Since then, everytime there were caravans from Yemen, they would asked about Uwais al-Qarni, whether he was with them. Among the caravans, some wondered what exactly happened till Uwais was searched by the two.
Caravans from Yemen to Sham come and go, carrying their trades. Once, Uwais al-Qarni had joined a group of caravan to the town of Medina. Seeing a group of caravan from Yemen, Caliph Umar RA and Sayyidina Ali KW mmediately went to them and asked if Uwais also with them. The delegation said that he is and taking care of their camels at the city border. Hearing the answer, they hurried to meet Uwais al-Qarni.
Arriving at the tent where Uwais is, Caliph Umar RA and Sayyidina Ali KW greeted salam to him. But apparently Uwais is praying. When he ended his prayer, Uwais replied the greetings of both great guests and shaked hands with them.While shaking hands, Caliph Umar RA quickly reversed Uwais hands, to prove the truth of a white mark on his palm, as told by Rasulullah. It was true! He is the occupant of sky. He was then asked by both Sayyidina Umar RA and Ali KW, "What is your name?". "Abdullah.", answered Uwais. The two friends then laughed and said, "We are also Abdullah, the servant of God. But what is really your name?" Uwais then said, "My name is Uwais al-Qarni." In their conversation, it was known that Uwais' mother had died. That was why he participated in the caravan trade delegation that time. Finally, Caliph Umar RA and Sayyidina Ali K.W. requested Uwais to pray for them. Uwais refused and he said to the Caliph, "It is me who should request prayers from you." Hearing the word of Uwais, Caliph said, "We came here to ask you to pray and asking forgiveness for us." Due to insistence from both sahabah, Uwais al-Qarni finally lifted his hands, prayed and asked forgiveness for them.
Then the Caliph Umar promised to donate money from the state treasury (Baitulmal) to Uwais, for his life betterment. Immediately and discreetly he rejected by saying,"I beg you that I be known only for today. Let me the unknown poor to others after this. "After that incident, the name of Uwais submerged and not heard anymore.
However, there was a man who had met and being assisted by Uwais. We were on the ship heading to the Arab with all the traders. Unexpectedly a strong typhoon blew turbulently. As a result, the strong waves hit our ship till the water got into the ship and caused the ship to be heavier. At that time, we see a man who impose fur blankets at the corner of the ships that we boarded in, then we call him. The man got out of the ship and kept prayering on the water. We are so surprise to see the incident."O Waliyullah, help us!" However, the man paid no heed. Then we cried again,"By Him Who has to give you strength of worship, help us! "The man turned to us and said,"What happened?" "Do you not see that the ship was blewn and hit by the waves?" Ask us."Bring yourself to God all of you!" He said."We have to do it." "Come out from the ship and read Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiim!" We came out of the ship one by one and assembled. At that time we were in total of five hundred and more. It was miracle, we did not sink, while our boat and its contents sank into the sea.Then he said to us,"It doesn't matter you lost your properties, as long as all of you are safe." "For Allah sake, we would like to know what is your name?" Asked us. "Uwais al-Qorni." He answered quickly.Then we said to him,"Indeed, the properties is that ship are owned by poor people in Medina sent by the Egyptians." "If Allah bring you back the wealths, will you distribute them to poor people in Medina?" He asked. "Yes!" we answered. He then performed 2 rakaah prayer on the water, and prayed. Uwais al-Qarni after giving his salam, the ship suddenly came to the surface, then we board on it and moved on. On arrival at Medina, we divide the whole properties to the poor in Medina, no one was left.
Some time later, there was news spread that Uwais al-Qarni had passed away. Oddly, when he was about to be bathed suddenly there were a lot of people fought to do it. Then when he was on bed to be shrouded, there were people waiting to do it. Similarly goes to when people go to dig his grave. There was already people who had dig his grave through to completion. When the bier carried towards the cemetery, remarkably many people fought to carry him. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salamah explained,"When I go to manage his body until I came back from sending his remains, then I return to the grave to mark the grave, the grave was gone, not even a mark can be seen" (Sheikh Abdullah bin Salamah is one the martyr who go to war with Uwais al-Qarni in the reign of Sayyidina Umar RA)
Uwais al-Qarni's pass away shocked the the whole Yemeni city community. A lot of unusual things happened. So many people who they do not know came to manage the funeral and burial, whereas he is only a poor Uwais who did not own anything. From the bathing of his body till to lowering body into the grave, there are always people who ready to do them first. Yemen townspeople were stumped. All of them were wondering, "Who is actually Uwais al-Qarni? Uwais that we know, only a poor man who do not have anything? He's only a shepherd?" "However, on your last day on earth, you have shocked the people of Yemen of the presence of foreign people who are anonymous to us. They come in such a huge amount. "Perhaps they are the angels who descended to earth, only to manage his body and his funeral.
At that time, then the people of Yemen knew who is Uwais al-Qarni. "He is Uwais al-Qarni, not known on earth, but very famous in the sky."
