Why was 'Umar looking for a poor, unknown man? Discover the story of Uways Al-Qarani, a discreet believer whose sincerity held immense value with Allah.
Groups of men regularly arrived from Yemen to join the Muslims.
Each time these travelers presented themselves, 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked them the same question:
— Is Uways Ibn 'Amir among you?
The men sometimes looked at each other with astonishment.
Why was the Commander of the Believers looking for this man?
Was he an important chief?
A great scholar known in all cities?
A rich merchant?
No.
Uways was none of that.
He lived simply, away from the eyes of people.
Many people did not even know his name.
Yet, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had spoken of him to his Companions without ever having met him.
He had told them that a man coming from Yemen would one day arrive among them.
This man would be called Uways Ibn 'Amir.
And the Prophet (peace be upon him) had given an astonishing recommendation:
whoever met Uways should ask him to invoke Allah to obtain His forgiveness.
Since that day, 'Umar awaited his arrival.
Finally, Uways
One day, a new group arrived from Yemen.
As was his habit, 'Umar asked:
— Is Uways Ibn 'Amir among you?
This time, the man he was looking for was there.
'Umar approached him.
Uways did not look like a famous person.
He wore simple clothes and stood among the other travelers.
'Umar asked him:
— Are you indeed Uways Ibn 'Amir?
— Yes, he replied.
— Are you from the tribe of Murad and the clan of Qaran?
— Yes.
A tribe is a large group of families having a common origin. A clan is a smaller part of that tribe.
'Umar continued:
— Were you afflicted with leprosy, then cured, except for a small part of your body the size of a coin?
Leprosy is a disease that can affect the skin and certain parts of the body.
Uways replied:
— Yes.
'Umar then asked a final question:
— Is your mother still alive?
— Yes.
At that moment, 'Umar understood that he had finally found the man announced by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
An Astonishing Request
'Umar then explained to Uways what he had heard from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) had announced that a man named Uways Ibn 'Amir would come from Yemen.
He had explained that Uways had been afflicted with leprosy then cured, that he still had his mother, and that he was kind to her.
Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) had added that if anyone met Uways, he should try to ask him to invoke Allah to obtain His forgiveness.
'Umar therefore looked at this simple man and asked him:
— Ask Allah to forgive me.
Uways accepted.
He invoked Allah so that He would forgive 'Umar.
The scene was astonishing.
'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the great Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
He had lived with him.
He had learned directly from him.
Uways, for his part, had never even met the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
He was neither famous, nor rich, nor surrounded by many students.
And yet, 'Umar had just asked him for an invocation.
What had this almost unknown man done to reach such a degree?
To be continued...
