Introduction
He was an exemplary successor of the followers of the holy Prophet (SA) and leader of his (SA) dignified forty companions. Holy prophet (SA) used to say, "Owais is the best among his followers in terms of kindness and consideration.” Whose attributes the king of both the worlds has appreciated, can any one exalt further? Sometimes, the holy Prophet (SA) used to state, facing towards Yamen, that he felt the breeze of compassion coming from that direction.
Eulogy
His honour (SA) says, "On the day of judgment, seventy thousand angels in Owais Quarni's (RA) guise will accompany him to the heaven so that he could not be recognized by others (but for them who would be permitted by Allah) because he had sustained his prayers and mystic exercises in seclusion in this world to avoid recognition for the same. Because of this consideration, this secrecy is to be maintained on the day of the judgment."
The holy prophet (SA) said that among his followers there was such a person whose intercession would be the reason of forgiveness (by Allah) of sinners equivalent to the combined numbers of the hairs of the sheep of the tribes of Rabeeya' and 'Mazar'. ("Rabeeya' and 'Mazar' were two tribes possessing very large numbers of sheep). On enquiry about the person and his residence,
he (SA) said, "He is a slave of Allah." On their insistance he (SA) said that he was Owais Quarni (RA).
Privilege of seeing from hidden eyes.
His (SA) companions asked, "Was he ever present in your (SA) service?"
He (SA) said, "Never but he was privileged to see me by his hidden (not the external) eyes. There are two reasons for not visiting me: one, 'overwhelming divine ecstasy'; two, 'utmost regard of divine jurisprudence'. His mother is a believer. She is in her advanced age and blind, too. Owais (RA) earns to serve her by grazing the camels."
Then his (SA) companions expressed their desire for the privilege of meeting him. He said, "No. However Omar and Ali (RAS) will meet him. He can be recognized by hairs all over his body and a white patch equivalent to a small inflammation on the back of his left palm. But it is not leucoderma or scar.
Therefore convey my Sala'm (greetings) when you meet him. Then request him to pray for my followers."
When his (SA) companions asked as to who deserved his (SA) dress, he (SA) said that he was Owais Quarni.
Dignity, status and wish of the companions and the successors of the holy Prophet, SA During the period of orthodox caliphate IIMs Omar and Ali (RAS) went to Kufa (a place near Medina) and enquired from the people about his where abouts. Some one said, "Though I do not exactly know him however an abnormal person grazes the camels far away from the in habitation in the Arfa valley. He lives on dry loaf. He cries when others laugh and laughs when others cry."
When HMs Omar and Ali (RAS) reached there, they observed him engrossed in Namaz and the angels grazing his camels. After the prayer, when his name was enquired, he replied, "Slave of Allah". HM Omar (RA) insisted for his real name. To that, he said, "It is Owais".
Then, HM Omar (RA) requested him to show his hand. He obliged. On finding it in conformity with the description of the Prophet (SA) HM Umar (RA) kissed his hand, handed him over the holy dress of the holy prophet (SA), conveyed Sala m (greeting) and message of the prophet (SA) to pray for his (SA) followers. On hearing it, HM Owais Quarni (RA) asked them,"You should clear your douts if I am the same person whom the holy prophet (SA) had indicated to be." HM Omar (RA) said that he (Owais Quarni) had those identification marks as described by the holy Prophet (SA).
Hearing it, Hazratt Owais (RA) said, “O Omar, your prayers can be more effective than mine".
He replied, “I keep praying for the same. However you should carry out the will of the holy Prophet (SA)". Then HM Owais Quarni (RA) moved a small distance away along with the holy dress of the holy Prophet (SA) and prayed to Allah that he would not adorn the dress of the king of both the worlds till He forgave his (SA) entire followers because His Prophet had handed over his (SA) followers in his care.
A heavenly voice came, "I pardoned a few persons on your request".
But he again appealed for the pardon of the entire 'Ummah' (disciples,followers, adherents, bretheren in faith).
Reply came, "I pardoned a thousand persons".
Like this he was engrossed and involved in his appeal. Meanwhile, HMs Omar and Ali (RAS) came in front of him. He felt helpless and informed them, "Why did you come? I won't have adorned this holy dress till I had got the entire Ummah duly pardoned by Allah".
Status of saintliness is preferred over caliphate.
HM Omar (RA) found him attired in such a blanket beneath which thousand state of wealth was concealed. This observation lead his soul develop a desire to shun caliphate.
He wished to offer the caliphate to any person for a piece of loaf. HM Owais (RA) observed, "Only a fool can agree to your terms. You should throw away instead of selling it. Then, whosoever likes, picks it up". Having said this, he put the dress of the Prophets (SA) on and said that Allah had pardoned the "Ummah' (community) equivalent to the numbers of the hairs of all the sheep of Banu Ra'biya and Banu Mazar tribes.
When HM Omar (RA) enquired his reason for not having, ever, blessed himself by the audience of the holy Prophet (SA) he asked him, "If you have been blessed by his (SA) sight, could you please tell me about the holy Prophet's eyebrows? Were they wide (apart) or contiguous?” Both the companions of the holy Prophet (SA) would not know the answer.
Breaking the blessed teeth.
HM Owais Quarni (RA) asked them, "If you are the companions of the holy Prophet (SA) tell me about the tooth of the holy
Prophet (SA) martyred in the holy war of 'Ohadh'? And why did you not break all your teeth for the sake of the love for the holy Prophet, SA?” Then he showed all his broken teeth and said, "When I got the news, I broke one of them. Then, I realized that probably some other tooth was martyred. Like this,
I broke all of them, one by one. Then, only, I was at peace with myself." Holy Prophet's (SA) both the companions were touched so much that they kept weeping. They realized the depth of the degree of respect for the holy Prophet (SA). Though, he was not privileged by the audience of the holy Prophet (SA), he fulfilled the expectations of faithfulness and left this world leaving behind a commendable tradition and setting the trend for the times to come.
Safety of faith is a must for a believer.
When HM Omar (RA) requested for invocation, he said, "I recite Allahummaghfiril-momeneena wal-momena te' (O' Allah forgive all faithful men and women) after 'Tashahud" in my Namaz (five times Islamic prayer). You will be among the blessed ones if you leave this world with your faith still intact. Otherwise my prayers may get a begging."
Counsel (Advice).
When HM Omar (RA) requested for his counsel, he said,"O, Omar (RA) if you are Allah-knowing person no advice would be better than this that you do not recognize anyone but Allah”. Further, he asked, “O, Omar (RA) does Allah, also, know you?"
Omar (RA) replied in affirmative.
HM Owais (RA) said, "Allah is enough! No one other than Allah should recognize you. It is better for you."
Content.
HM Omar (RA) requested him to remain there till he returned. He wished to bring some thing for him. He took out two Dirhams (a currency) from his pocket and said, “It is the reward for grazing the camels. Certainly you may bring anything for me as you wish provided you assure me that I will not die before these coins are spent. These two Dirhams are more than sufficient for me".
Then he said, "I apologize for the trouble of your journey to this place. Now, both of you should return as the day of the judgment was about to come and I am worried of it." After their departure people got to know about his greatness and started flocking around him. He got unnerved and settled at Kufa (a place). Only, Haram-bin-Habban could have the privilege to meet him there. On hearing the news about intercession, he developed the unquenchable thirst of getting a glimpse of the true servant of Allah.Allah obliged him.
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| Dargah Shareef Hazrat Owais Quarni R |