KQZ Institute

*** Innah lillah hi wah innah ilayhi rajioon ***

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of the eminent scholar, the Shāfiʿī M***i of Makkah, al-Ḥabīb ʿUmar al-Jīlānī.

May Allah envelop him in His vast mercy, grant him firmness and success in the grave and what follows, and raise him in the highest stations of Jannah alongside our Master, Sayyidunā Muḥammad ﷺ. May Allah grant his family, students, and loved ones patience, comfort, and ease during this profoundly difficult time.

Al-Fatiha

There are people who shake the world with their voices, and there are people who shake the heavens with their sincerity.

The story of Uways ibn ʿĀmir al-Qaranī is not just history.

It is an invitation, a possibility,
You could be one of Allah's closest servants… even if no one ever knows your name.

Uways ibn Amir al Qarani was a poor man from Yemen. He lived a simple life and took care of his elderly mother. He was not known, not respected by society, and had no special position. To most people, he looked like an ordinary man with nothing remarkable about him.

During the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Uways believed in Islam and loved the Prophet ﷺ deeply. He wanted more than anything to travel to Madinah and meet him. But Uways had one responsibility that came before his own desires his mother. She was old, weak, and depended on him completely.

One day, Uways asked his mother for permission to go to Madinah. She allowed him, but only for a very short time because she could not manage without him. Uways agreed. He traveled toward Madinah with great excitement in his heart.

When he arrived, the Prophet ﷺ was not in the city. At that moment, Uways faced a choice. He could wait until the Prophet ﷺ returned, or he could keep his promise to his mother and go back immediately. Uways chose his mother. He did not wait. He turned around and returned to Yemen so his mother would not suffer.

Because of that choice, Uways never met the Prophet ﷺ in person.

Even though Uways never met him, the Prophet ﷺ spoke about him to his Companions. Uways never met the Prophet yet he told them that a man named Uways ibn Amir would come from Yemen. He described him clearly. He mentioned that Uways once had leprosy and Allah cured him except for a small mark. He said that Uways was extremely devoted to his mother. Then the Prophet ﷺ said something amazing:

لَوْ أَقْسَمَ عَلَى اللَّهِ لَأَبَرَّهُ
“If he were to swear by Allah, Allah would answer him.”
A person whos Dua is 100% answered !?

The Prophet ﷺ even told the Companions that if they ever met Uways, they should ask him to make duaa and ask Allah for forgiveness for them.

Years later, after the Prophet ﷺ had passed away, Umar ibn al Khattab رضي الله عنه became the Caliph. Umar remembered what the Prophet ﷺ had said. Every year during Hajj, Umar would ask people from Yemen if there was a man among them named Uways ibn Amir.

For many years, no one knew him.

Finally, Umar found him. Uways was poor and living a simple life. Umar asked him questions to confirm his identity. Did you have this illness. Are you from this tribe. Do you have a mother and take care of her. Uways answered yes to everything.

Then something incredible happened.
Umar, the leader of the entire Muslim world, the Ameerul Mu'mineen, asked Uways to make duaa for him.
Who wouldnt grab that opportunity, a man whose prayers will be answered unconditionally.
A man unknown to the world but well known in the heavens.

After that, people began to notice Uways. But Uways did not like attention. He did not want fame or recognition. He preferred to remain unknown. He returned to his quiet life, worshiping Allah and caring for his mother.

Why this Story matters to us?

Uways was not special because he was famous. He was special because he was sincere. He did not do big public acts. He did not give speeches. He did not lead armies. His greatness came from obedience to Allah and kindness to his mother.

This means something very important for us today.

You do not need to be famous to be close to Allah.
You do not need people to notice your worship.
You do not need followers or praise.

If you pray sincerely, care for your parents, avoid sin when no one is watching, and choose Allah over your desires, you can be raised in rank just like Uways.

The story of Uways teaches us that sometimes, even when we desire something deeply for the sake of Allah, circumstances may prevent it. But continued obedience, thats what matters.

It teaches us that some of the greatest people in Islam lived quietly. They were unknown on earth but honored in the heavens.

And that door is still open.

We could be one of them.

اللهم ارزقنا الإخلاص، واجعلنا من عبادك الصالحين ولو كنا مجهولين بين الناس.

O Allah, grant us sincerity and make us among Your righteous servants even if we are unknown among people.