Saint Uwais Qarni (R)

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1. Name and Family background
His name was Uwais and his title was Abu Umar ('father of Umar'). His father's name was "Aamir" and his beloved mother's name was "Barai". His family background has its roots in the Quraish clan. He was born in a village called Qam, which was situated in the country of Yemen.

2. Pen Portrait
The colour of his skin was golden brown; he was of medium stature and slim in his physical appearance; he had dark eyes and there was a beautiful mark on his forehead which was a symbol of his constant and repeated prostrations to Allah Ta'ala. He had a small white mark on his right hand.

3. Character
He had many praise-worthy qualities. Hazrat Umar (Radi Allahu Anh) has reported in Mishkat Shareef that he had heard this statement from the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)."A man will come to you from the direction of Yemen, whose name will be Uwais. He will have no relatives in Yemen except his mother. He will be so devoted to his mother that he will not leave Yemen on her account. He has a big white mark on his body. He prays to Allah and as a result of this prayer his mark disappeared but a small circular mark remained. Whoever amongst you meets him, he should ask him to pray for his forgiveness." In another Hadith it is stated: "In the generation of Muslims which follows the Companions there will be a man called Uwais, who is the best amongst them. He will have only a mother. He will have a white mark on his right hand. Whoever finds him should request him to pray for his forgiveness."

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 Sayings

♥ "Hidden invocation (al-du'a fi dhahr al-ghayb) is better than visiting and meeting, because hypocrisy (riya) might enter in the latter two."

♥When asked, 'What is considered as modesty during prayer?'  

Uwais Qarni رضي الله عنه said, 

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اسلامی تاریخ میں بلاشبہ حضرت اویس قرنی رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ کو ایک لازوال مقام حاصل ہے اور آپ رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ کو عاشقانِ مصطفی کریم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم میں سر فہرست شمار کیا جاتا ہے ۔ اس سلسلہ میں یہ واقعہ تقریباً تمام تذکرہ نگاروں نے نقل کیا ہے کہ غزوہ احد میں رسول کریم رؤف الرحیم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کا دندان مبارک شہید  ہوا تو آپ رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ نے اپنے تمام دانت توڑ ڈالے تھے۔

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4. Hazrat Umar (Radi Allahu Anh) and Khawaja Uwais Qarni (Radi Allahu Anh)
  It has been narrated that our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) willed before he passed away from this worldly life that Hazrat Umar and Hazrat Ali (Radi Allahu Anhuma) should preserve his cloak and pass it on to Khawaja Uwais. So Hazrat Umar and Hazrat Ali (Radi Allahu Anhuma) took the cloak to the oasis where Khawaja Uwais used to graze his camels and to spend his own time in praising Allah Ta'ala. They found him there in a state of prostration to Allah Ta'ala. When he heard the sound of the footsteps of Hazrat Umar and Hazrat Ali, he completed his prayer as quickly as possible and finished his formal prayer by offering Salam.He greeted these men. Hazrat Ali asked him his name and he replied "Abdullah" (Devotee of Allah). At this stage Hazrat Ali said, "Every Muslim is Abdullah. But please tell us what name has been given to you by your mother." He replied, "My name is Uwais." Both men conveyed to him the greetings of the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam). They requested him to pray for the salvation of the Muslim Community and presented to him the cloak of the Messenger of Allah (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam). They further asked him his wish so that they may try to fulfil it. Khawaja Uwais replied: "If a person wishes to gain a week it becomes a month. He who wishes to gain a month it becomes a year. In this way his wish always tends to increase." He further added: "Well! The time is short but the work is too much. God willing we shall meet again on the Day of Judgement." He spoke these words and disappeared into the desert. It has been reported that Hazrat Umar often used to ask the residents of Yemen about the life and deeds of Khawaja Uwais. One day Khawaja Uwais came personally into the court of Hazrat Umar. Hazrat Umar asked, "Are you Uwais?" He replied, "Yes, I am." Then Hazrat Umar asked, "Do you belong to the tribe of Murad and are you a resident of Qam?" He replied, "No doubt I am." Hazrat Umar asked, "Did you have white marks on your body which have now disappeared and left behind only one white mark the size of a coin?" When he replied in the affirmative Hazrat Umar (Radi Allahu Anh) asked, "Have you only a mother and nobody else?" The reply came, "Yes, none else." After this Hazrat Umar (Radi Allahu Anh) read out the Hadith mentioned above and requested the venerable Khawaja to pray for his salvation. Khawaja Uwais said, "What sort of prayer can a humble man like me offer for an outstanding man like you?" Hazrat Umar insisted and then Khawaja Uwais actually offered a prayer. When, after the prayer, Hazrat Umar learned that it was the intention of Khawaja Uwais to visit Kufah. Hazrat Umar made arrangements for him to be received with dignity and honour by the governor of Kufah. Khawaja Uwais (Radi Allahu Anh) promptly said, "Oh commando' of the faithful, it is better for me to remain an unknown person among the Muslim Ummah." Long after he had gone, Hazrat Umar, out of great love and respect for this man asked regularly about his welfare from the people who knew him personally.

 5. His love of the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)
He was a fond and loyal lover of the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam). Often the friends of Allah (Awlia Allah) remember him as the leader of the lovers of the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam). It is related that when Khawaja Uwais came to know that the teeth of our Beloved Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) were broken in the Battle of Uhud, he immediately broke two of his own teeth. But then when he thought perhaps these were not exactly the two teeth he broke two more. He continued in this way breaking all his teeth. This shows how deeply he loved the Prophet of Islam (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam). It is reported that the Prophet of Islam (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to turn his face towards Yemen and say, "I get the fragrance of love from this direction." Sometimes he used to say, "I am eager to meet my brother." Khawaja Uwais also desired much to meet the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) but the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) forbade him, saying that he should first serve his old mother carefully and affectionately.

6. His Aloofness from Worldly Pleasures
Khawaja Uwais Qarni was not interested in the pleasures and comforts of this world. If the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) had not told us about him, perhaps we would not have known anything at all about his noble existence. Imam Ghazali, who is a great authority on Islam says that Khawaja Uwais is the leader of the Sufis who remain aloof from the pleasures of the world. He spent his life in the remembrance of Allah Ta'ala in a quiet corner away from the main habitation of Qam. Since he lived a very simple and secluded life, for many years the general public did not get to know who he was. He used to gather the pips and seeds of various fruits and eat them when he felt hungry. If there was a dried or partly eaten date, he used to keep it for opening his fast. All good dates were given away by him in charity. It is reported that children used to throw pebbles and stones at him when he used to gather pips and date stones. He did not shout at the children but lovingly advised them to throw small sized stones so that there should be no bleeding and no damage done to his ablution.

7. Some of His Golden Sayings 
i. When I sought greatness, I discovered it in humility. When I sought authority I discovered it in advice. When I sought courtesy, I discovered it in truth. When I sought pride I discovered it in selflessness. When I sought family distinction I found it in God-consciousness and piety. When I sought nobility I found it in contentment. When I sought pleasure I found it in virtue and worship of Allah Ta'ala.

ii. A person who loves three things will find that hell fire near him:
a. Good food 
b. Good clothes
c. Company of rich people

iii. Complete and wholehearted involvement in prayer would be that if an arrow hits the praying person he would not know what had happened.

iv. When you turn your face towards one Master, do it so well that you have no need of turning your face towards another master.

 8. Death
There are different reports about his death. Some say he died in Azerbaijan. Another report says that in the last years of his life he came to Hazrat Ali and took part at his command in the battle of Siffeen in 32AH and attained the high status of martyrdom. 

 

{Oh Allah! Shower your choicest blessings on the Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and show your pleasure to those who love your Prophet (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam)}.

Notes:

1. Regarding Uwais Qarni (rahmatullah alayh), Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: "Uwais Qarni is the noblest of the Tabieen with ihsaan." 
(The highest stage of ihsaan is to worship Allah Ta'ala as if you are seeing Him.)

Sometimes Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) would turn in the direction of Yemen and say: "I perceive the fragrance of love from Yemen."

Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: "Tomorrow on the Day of Qiyaamah Allah Ta'ala will create 70,000 malaa-ikah in the image of Uwais Qarni who will enter in their midst into Jannat. No one will recognise him except those whom Allah wishes." Since he engrossed himself in ibaadat in concealment, fleeing from people, Allah Ta'ala will preserve his concealment even in the Aakhirah. Allah Ta'ala has said: "My Auliyaa are under My Mantle. None besides Me knows them."

Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: "In my Ummat is a man whose shafaa'at (intercession) will be accepted on behalf of so many people whose number equals the hairs on the sheep/goats of the tribes of Rabeeh and Mudhir."

These two Arab tribes possessed the most sheep and goats, hence the analogy. When the Sahaabah enquired about the identity of this man, Rasulullah  (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: "A servant among the servants of Allah." The Sahaabah responded: "We all are the servants of Allah. What is his name?"

Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: "Uwais Qarni."

Sahaabah: "Where is he?"

Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) : "In Qarn."

Sahaabah: "Have he seen you?"

Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) : "Not with his physical eyes, but he has seen me with his spiritual eyes."

Sahaabah: "Such an ardent lover, but why has he not entered into your companionship?"

Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) : "There are two reasons. The first is ghalbah haal (i.e. he is always in a high spiritual state which makes him oblivious of everything besides Allah Ta'ala). The second is his profound observance of my Shariat. His mu'minah mother is extremely old and blind. He tends to camels and with his earnings he supports his mother."

Sahaabah: "Can we see him?"

Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said to Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra): "You will not see him, but Umar and Ali will see him. His entire body is covered with hair. On the palm of his hand and left side is a white spot, the size of a dirham, which is not the mark of leprosy. When you meet him, convey my salaam to him and tell him to make dua for my Ummat. Among the Auliyaa those who are the Atqiyaa (a very loft category of Auliyaa), he is the holiest."

Sahaabah: "Where shall we find him?"

Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) : "In Yemen, he is a camel-herd known as Uwais. You should follow in his footsteps."

As Rasulullah's ( صلى الله عايه وسالم ) demise neared, the Sahaabah asked: "To whom shall we give your jubbah (cloak)?"

Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: "To Uwais Qarni."

After the demise of Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) Hadhrat Umar and Hadhrat Ali (dma) journied to Kufa. After delivering a Khutbah, Hadhrat Umar  (ra) said: "O people of Najd, all of you stand up." Everyone obeyed. He then enquired: "Is any among you from Qaran?" When they said, 'yes', he asked for information about Uwais Qarni.

They replied: "We do not know him. However, there is a madman who has become estranged from people. He flees from people. When Hadhrat Umar  (ra) enquired of his whereabouts, he was told that he (Uwais Qarni) tends to camels in Wadi Urnah. At night he eats dry bread. He does not enter the town. He does not speak to anyone. He does not eat what people generally eat. He does not know what is grief and happiness. When people laugh, he cries. When they cry, he laughs."

Hadhrat Umar and Hadhrat Ali (ra) travelled to that valley (Wadi Urnah). Ultimately when they discovered him, he was engaged in Salaat. By the command of Allah, angels were tending to the camels. On perceiving the presence of human beings, Uwais terminated his Salaat, and said "Assalaamu Alaikum".

Hadhrat Umar Farooq (ra) replied: "Wa-Alaikum Salaam", and asked: "What is your name?"

Uwais: "Abdullah (i.e. a slave of Allah)."

Hadhrat Umar: "We all are the servants of Allah. What is your specific name?"

Uwais: "Uwais".

Hadhrat Umar: "Show me your right hand."

When Hadhrat Uwais showed his hand, Hadhrat Umar  (ra) seeing the mark indicated by Rasulullah  (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), kissed his hand, and said: 
"Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) has conveyed salaams to you; sent this cloak for you and commanded that you make dua for his Ummah."

Uwais: "You are more qualified to make dua because there is no one nobler than you."

Hadhrat Umar: "I am always engaged in this duty of dua. However, you have to comply with the order of Rasulullah  (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم)."

Uwais: "O Umar! Think carefully. Perhaps Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) had in mind someone else besides myself."

Hadhrat Umar: "All the signs indicated by Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) exist in you."

Uwais: "Give me the cloak of Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) so that I may make dua."

Taking the cloak, Hadhrat Uwais said: "Wait here."

He went a distance, fell into Sajdah and supplicated: "O Allah! I shall not don this mantle as long as You do not forgive the entire Ummah of Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), for he has presented this cloak. Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), Umar Farooq and Ali Murtaza have discharged their duties."

A Voice exclaimed: "We have forgiven a number by virtue of your intercession."

Uwais: "O Allah! As long as You do not forgive all, I shall not don this mantle."

The Voice: "I have forgiven thousands."

Uwais: "I am petitioning for the forgiveness of all."

This performance was enacted several times. Each time, The Voice announced an increase in the number of persons forgiven by virtue of Hadhrat Uwais' intercession. Meanwhile Hadhrat Umar and Hadhrat Ali (ra) unable to hold their patience came near to Hadhrat Uwais to see what was happening. When Hadhrat Uwais saw them, he exclaimed: "Why have you come? I would not have donned this mantle as long as Allah Ta'ala had not forgiven the entire Ummah of Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم)."

Gazing at Hadhrat Uwais with deep intent and concern, Hadhrat Umar (ra) perceived 18,000 spiritual kingdoms under the simple shawl Hadhrat Uwais was wearing at the time. Hadrat Umar (ra), now overwhelmed by spiritual enthusiasm, lost complete interest in himself and his Khilaafat. In an ecstatic mood he cried out: "Is there anyone prepared to accept my Khilaafat in exchange for a piece of bread?"

Hadhrat Uwais said: "Only a man lacking in intelligence, will purchase it. What are you talking of buying and selling! Abandon it! Whoever wishes, can pick it up."

Then donning the mantle of Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), Hadhrat Uwais said: "As a result of the barkat of this mantle and my intercession, the number of people of the Ummah of Muhammad  (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) forgiven, equals the number of hairs on the bodies of the goats of the tribes of Rabeeah and Mudhirr."

Hadhrat Umar: "O Uwais, why did you not meet Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) ?"

Uwais: "Perhaps you saw the blessed forehead of Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم). Tell me, were Rasulullah's  (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) eye-brows fine or broad?" [Arabic in manuscript margin, bk 1, pg 31]

Surprisingly, neither Hadhrat Umar (ra) nor Hadhrat Ali (ra) was able to describe Rasulullah's (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) eye-brows.

Uwais: "You are he Companions of Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) ?"

Hadhrat Umar: "Most certainly we are."

Uwais: "On the day when the blessed tooth of Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) was martyred, why did you not martyr your own teeth? The requirement of love was that you conformed."

Hadhrat Uwais opened his mouth and they observed that all his teeth were missing. He said: "I broke my teeth without seeing the mubaarak face of Rasulullah  (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم). After having broken a tooth, I was not satisfied. Perhaps another tooth of Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) was martyred, not the one I broke in my mouth. In this way I continued breaking my teeth until all were removed.

Both Hadhrat Umar and Hadhrat Ali (ra) were overcome with emotion. Now they learnt a new concept of love and devotion. They resolved to learn this devotion from Hadhrat Uwais. Hadhrat Umar (ra) then said: "O Uwais, make dua for me."

Uwais: "I have already made dua. You should not desire more. In the Tashahhud of every Salaat I say: "O Allah! Have mercy on all the believing men and women and forgive them."

If you reach the grave with the safety of Imaan, then most certainly, you have obtained my dua. I do not want to destroy my dua.

Hadhrat Umar: "Counsel me."

Uwais: "Umar, have you recognized Allah Ta'ala?"

Hadhrat Umar: "Yes, I recognized Him." 
Uwais: "It is best that you recognize only Allah Ta'ala and no one besides Him."

Hadhrat Umar: "Say something more."

Uwais: "Allah Ta'ala knows you. It is best that besides Allah Ta'ala, no one else knows you."

Hadhrat Umar (ra) then attempted to present a gift of some money to Hadhrat Uwais. Hadhrat Uwais producing two dirhams from his pocket, said: "This is my earning for tending camels. If you can vouch that these dirhams will be depleted before my death, I shall then accept more."

Obviously, Hadhrat Umar (ra) could not comply, hence Uwais refused the gift.

Hadhrat Uwais: "Both of you had undergone considerable hardship to reach me. Now return. Qiyaamat is near. We shall then meet where there shall no longer be any separation. Presently I am in a dilemma. I am concerned with the preparations for this journey." 
They bid farewell and took leave with heavy hearts.

2. After the departure of these two eminent Sahaabah, people began to honour Hadhrat Uwais. Since their excessive veneration agitated him, he fled from that place. Thereafter he was not seen again by anyone except once by Hiram Ibn Hibbaan (rahmatullah alayh) who gave the following account of his encounter with Hadhrat Uwais (rahmatullah alayh):

"When I heard of the status of the Shafa'at (Intercession) of Hadhrat Uwais, I was overtaken by an intense yearning to meet him. I went to Kufaa and set out in search of him. It was my great fortune to locate him making wudhu on the banks of the river Euphrates. I found him fitting the description of him I had heard. After exchange of Salute actions, he looked intently at me. I desired to shake his hands, but he refused. I said:

"Uwais, may Allah have mercy on you and forgive you."

His physical weakness and forlornness reduced me to tears in profusion. Uwais (rahmatullah alayh) also wept and said: 
"Hiram Ibn Hibban, may Allah Ta'ala grant you a good reward. What has brought you here? Who showed you the road to me?"

Hiram Ibn Hibban: "How do you know my name and the name of my father? You have never met me before."

Hadhrat Uwais: "He Whose Knowledge is all-encompassing has informed me. My rooh has recognized your rooh because the arwaah (souls) of the Mu'mineen recognize each other."

Hiram: "Narrate a Hadith of Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) to me."

Hadhrat Uwais: "I did not meet Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), but I have heard of his attributes from others. I have no desire to be a Muhaddith or a Mufti or a narrator because I am engrossed in an abundance of activity."

Hiram: "Recite an aayat of the Qur'aan so that I hear it from your blessed tongue."

Uwais: After reciting

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم

 he wept uncontrollably and recited: 

وما خلقت الجن والانس الالیعبدون


"I did not create jinn and man except that they worship Me."

Then he let out such a frightening screech that I thought he had become insane. He said: "O Ibn Hibban, what has brought you here?" I replied: "To become your friend and to reform myself." Hadhrat Uwais commented: "I cannot even think of a man who has recognized Allah Ta'ala, having any love and desire for others and deriving comfort from others besides Allah." I said: "Give me some naseehat".

 He replied: "Keep Maut under your pillow when sleeping. When you wake up, don't cherish hope of life. Never consider sin as being minor. If you consider sin as being minor, know that you are considering Allah Ta'ala as being insignificant."

I asked: "Where should I take up residence?" He said: "In the Land of Shaam." I said: "How shall I earn my living there?"

Hadhrat Uwais said: "Alas! Pity those souls who are beset with doubt and uncertainty and refrain from accepting naseehat."

I said: "Give me more naseehat." He said: "O son of Hibban! Your father has died. Aadam, Hawwaa, Nooh, Ibraaheem, Musaa, Daawood (alayhimus salaam), all have gone to their reward. Abu Bakr, the first Khalifah has also died and my brother Umar has departed from this earthly abode. Oh Umar! Oh Umar!"

I said: "May Allah have mercy on you. Umar has not yet departed." Hadhrat Uwais said: "Allah Ta'ala has informed me of his demise. You and I are among the dead."

He then recited Durood and made some dua, and added: "It is my advice that you cling to the Kitaab of Allah and adopt the path of Islaah (moral reformation). Never for a moment be forgetful of Maut. Never take even one step beyond the fold of the Jama'ah of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), for then, Allah forbid, you will become without Deen and land in Jahannum." 

After making dua, he said: "Son of Hibban, go! Neither will you see me again, nor will I see you. Remember me in your dua. I too shall remember you in my dua. Now don't follow me, I am going."

I desired to accompany him a few steps, but he refused. He wept and so did I. I gazed long after him until he disappeared from sight. Thereafter, I never again heard of him.

3. Hadhrat Rabee' (rahmatullah alayh) gives the following narrative of his encounter with Hadhrat Uwais Qarni (rahmatullah alayh): "I set out with a yearning to meet Uwais. I found him engaged in Fajr Salaat. As he completed his Salaat, he immediately commenced thikr. He continued with thikr until Zuhr. After Zuhr he again became involved in thikr until Asr. In this way he continued until Fajr of the next day. He maintained this practice for three days. During this entire period he neither ate nor slept. On the fourth night he took a short nap. He suddenly awoke with a start, jumped up and supplicated:

"O Allah! I seek Your protection from sleeping to the satisfaction of the eyes and from eating to the satiation of the stomach."

On hearing this, I decided that I had seen enough and returned."

4. His practice was to remain awake in ibaadat the entire night. He would say: 'Tonight is the night of Sajdah; tonight is the night of Ruku'; tonight is the night of Qiyaam.' In the way would he spend the nights worshipping Allah Ta'ala.

5. Someone asked: "How should Salaat be performed?" Hadhrat Uwais said: "I desire that before completing in Sajdah (during the night) it is already morning. Ibaadat should be like the worship of the Angels."

6. Someone asked: "What is khushu' (concentration in Salaat)?" He replied: "If you are struck with a spear, you remain oblivious of it."

7. He was asked: "How are you?" He said: "Like one who gets up in the morning, not knowing if Maut will grant him respite until the evening."

8. Hadhrat Uwais said: "A man who loves three things, Jahannum is closer to him than his jugular vein: Delicious food; fine garments and association with the rich."

(This naseehat does not apply to the masses who find it difficult to abstain from even haraam on account of extreme deficiency of Imaan. The advice of Hadhrat Uwais–(rahmatullah alayh)–is directed to Auliyaa of high rank. As far as weaklings engrossed in material pursuits are concerned, the minimum demand is to eat, drink and participate in worldly affairs within the permitted confines of the Shariah–in moderation.)

9. People said to Hadhrat Uwais: "There is a man nearby who has been sitting in a grave with a kafan for the past 30 years, weeping profusely."

On his request, Uwais was taken to view this man in the grave. The man was reduced to a skeleton. He was like a dried out weed and was crying. Hadhrat Uwais said: "The kafan and the qabar have diverted you from Allah. Both these objects constitute a veil for you in the Path (leading to Allah Ta'ala)."

His statement struck a responsive chord in the heart of the man. His spiritual eyes opened and he realised his folly. He let out a terrible scream and expired in that grave in which he had spent 30 years.

If even the grave can become a veil and an obstacle in the path of spiritual progress, what is the effect of the numerous other pursuits and objects of the material world?

10. Once for three days he was without food. On the fourth day he found a dinaar (gold coin) laying on the ground. Thinking it to be the lost property of someone, he left it. As he walked on, a wolf with a loaf of bread in its mouth approached him. The wolf left the bread infront of him. Uwais thought that the wolf had snatched the bread belonging to someone. As he thought, the wolf said: "I am the servant of the Same Being Whose servant you are." The wolf then disappeared. Hadhrat Uwais realising that the bread was sent by Allah Ta'ala, ate it.

11. Hadhrat Uwais said: "Nothing remains hidden from a person who has recognized Allah Ta'ala." "Safety is in solitude. True solitude is that there is no room in the heart for thinking of others. Solitude in which the mind is occupied with the thoughts of others is defective."

"When two people gather to indulge in futility, shaitaan departs because he has achieved his objective. There is no longer a need for his presence since these two are sufficient to deceive each other. Both are forgetful of Allah Ta'ala." "Keep your heart alert so that aliens do not gain entry." (i.e. Always remember Allah Ta'ala, for Thikrullah prevents shaitaan from entering the heart of man.)

"I searched for glory and I found it in humility. I searched for kingdom and I found it in admonishing people (i.e. giving them naseehat). I searched for culture and found it in truth. I searched for holiness and found it in poverty. I searched for Nisbat and found it in piety. (Nisbat refers to a special relationship of proximity with Allah Ta'ala.)

 I searched for honour and I found it in contentment (i.e. contentment with whatever Allah Ta'ala has ordained). I searched for comfort and found it in zuhd (abstinence –renunciation of the world). I searched for independence and found it in tawakkul (trust in Allah)."

12. When Hadhrat Uwais walked in the road, mischievous children considering him to be a mad man would pelt him with stones, mocking and jeering. He would say: "Pelt me with small stones. Big stones draw blood which breaks my wudhu."

13. It is narrated that towards the close of his life he joined Hadhrat Ali  (ra) in the Battle of Siffeen and was martyred. Among the Auliyaa there is a category called Uwaisiyyah. Those in this class do not need a Shaikh (Spiritual Mentor). Just like Hadhrat Uwais, they acquire spiritual elevation without the medium of a Shaikh. Hadhrat Uwais (rahmatullah alayh), despite not having physically associated with Rasulullah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) gained spiritual elevation by virtue of Nabi-e-Kareem's  (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) baatini (spiritual) medium. This pedestal occupied by these Auliyaa is extremely lofty. Only Allah Ta'ala decides who is to be favoured with this rank. 

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