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Uwais al-Qarni (Arabic: أويس القرني) (d. 657) was a Muslim resident of Qaran in Yemen who lived during the lifetime of Muhammad (d.632). His grave is stiuated in Baykan, Siirt Turkey. Although his life was insignificant from a worldly point of view, he is renowned and honored among both Shia and Sunni Muslims, Sufis in particular, for his piety, practice of zuhd (asceticism), and love for Muhammad. Oveyssi has shown to the mankind that love can be attained through heart and people who are not part of the muslim umma can also be muslims from the heart. The Oveyssi order is still in existence today with over a half-million students worldwide.
Life
Uwais embraced Islam during Muhammad's lifetime but he could not present himself before Muhammad because he looked after his elderly, blind mother and thus remained deprived of the honour of companionship. It is said that he spent his hours in solitude, fasting, night vigil and salat (prayers). In honour of Muhammad, who at the Battle of Uhud in 625, had lost two of his teeth, Uwais al-Qarni drew out his own teeth. Muhammad called him the best of the Tabieen (successors) and he advised his companions to, “Get him to pray for your forgiveness.”
Following the death of Muhammad in 632, Umar ibn al-Khattab and Ali ibn Abi Talib set out on a quest to find Uwais, who was residing alone in the desert. When they found Uwais, he was engaged in prayer, and they waited until he finished his devotions. They then asked for his blessings, gave him Muhammad's greeting and enjoined him to pray for the Muslim ummah (community). Not long after this meeting Uwais left his homeland of Qaran and came to Kufa, in modern day Iraq. One day he was seen by Harim ibn Hayyan, but after that nobody saw him until the period of the first Muslim civil war (656-661). He fought for Ali ibn Abi Talib against the army of Muawiyah and was martyred at the Battle of Siffin in 657.Attar, Muslim Saints and Mystics, trans. A.J. Arberry, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1983
Invocation of Uwais al Qarni (دعاء أويس القرني)
اللهم خلقتني ولم أك شيئا مذكورا، ورزقتني ولم أملك شيئا، وظلمت نفسي وارتكبت المعاصي وأنا مقرّ بذنبي، إن غفرت لي فلا ينقص من ملكك، وإن تعذبني فلا يزيد في سلطانك، وإنك تجد من تعذبه غيري وأنا لا أجد من يغفر لي إلا أنت، إنك أنت أرحم الراحمين
Translation of the Invocation of Uwais al-Qarni:
"O Allah, You created me when I was not worthy of mention; And You provided for me when I had nothing; And I wronged my soul and sinned, and I confess my guilt. If You forgive me, that will in no way diminish Your sovereignty; And if You punish me, that will in no way augment Your authority. You can find others to punish besides me, But I can find no one to forgive me but You. Truly, You are the most merciful of those who show mercy."
Notes
External links
"Uwais al-Qarni"