Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … Owais was a resident of Qaran. Due to serving his mother, he was unable to present himself in the service of the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. In the terminology of the hadith scholars (muhaddithin), such a person is called a *mukhadrim* (i.e., one who lived during the time of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, accepted Islam, but did not meet him). When he came to Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu, Umar asked him: "Now where do you intend to go?" He replied: "Towards Kufa." Umar said: "Shall I write a letter to the governor of Kufa (so that he may honor you)?" He replied: "I prefer to live among the poor and destitute." The following year, a respected man from that tribe came for Hajj and met Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu. Umar asked him about Owais. He said: "Owais has a small amount of belongings and resides in a dilapidated house." (Muslim)

Owais rahimahullah had accepted Islam during the era of Prophethood. At that time, his mother was alive, and there was no one else to serve her except him. Because of his service to his mother, he was unable to attain the honor of being a Companion (sahabi). The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had informed the Companions about his details, as mentioned in the aforementioned ahadith. After confirming all the signs, Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu requested him to make supplication (dua). Owais rahimahullah, out of humility, said: "You are a Companion of the Messenger of Allah. You supplicate for me." When Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu explained the whole matter, he (Owais) made supplication for Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu, and then disappeared somewhere into the crowd so that he would not become famous among the people in this manner.