The Story of Owais bin Amir Qarni

The story of Owais Qarn

The lesson we learn from this companion, or according to other historian, Tabaeen(Followers of Prophet's companion), is that love Prophet even without seeing him. Hazrat Owais bin Amir Qarni was a man of Yemen born on Asir region, Qarn in 594 CE.

His father, Amir, knew a lot of Islam, but passed away when Hazrat Owais was young. He devoted his son on fasting, praying, and service to his mother, who was weak, ill, and blind. He profound love for Prophet. Owais never meet Prophet or see him in person, but the Prophet knew about his love for him. 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 bin 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.” 

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.

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.

Qarni, the Prophet is said to have remarked, is the best among tabeiin, (second generation of the companions). Qarni rubbed the blessed cloak over his face and eyes, and kissed it, when he finally received it. The blessed cloak, it is said, is preserved in Istanbul, Turkey.

Referring to Qarni, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) once told his companions: “There is a person in my Ummah whose prayers would bring forgiveness to as many sinners as the number of the sheep in the tribes of Rabia and Mudar.”

The two tribes of Rabia and Mudar were well known for raising sheep during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

He once said to Umar bin Khattab that he love to live with poor people. He took part in the Battle of Siffin(37 A.H.) and there he got wounded and unfortunately passed away at the age of 63. 

His life is a great example for the love for Prophet without meeting him. 

He is buried in either Salalah, Oman or in Ar Raqqah, Syria. In 2014, May 31, it was demolished by a blast. That shrine was in Syria, Ar Raqqah. Close to it was the grave of Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir. 

Shrine of Owais Qarni