Owais Qarani, an ardent supporter of the cause of the Holy Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.)

Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz
On 18th of the Islamic month of Safar in 37 AH, Owais Qarani, the devout follower of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) from Yemen, who personally did not meet the Prophet, attained martyrdom during a battle of the War of Siffin in defence of the cause of the Prophet\'s First Infallible Successor, Imam Ali ibn Abil Taleb (AS).
He was a victim of the treachery of the Omayyad rebel, Mu\'awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan, who had incited civil war amongst Muslims. Owais was born in Qaran in Yemen and lived a life of piety. On hearing of the message of Islam, he became a Muslim and journeyed to Medina to meet the Prophet who was not in Medina, and Owais had to return to Yemen without meeting him since his mother was very sick.
When the Prophet heard about this he blessed Owais and prayed for him. After the passing away of the Prophet, the devout Owais gave his pledge of allegiance to Imam Ali (AS), and was an ardent supporter of the cause of the Prophet\'s Ahl al-Bayt. When seditionists started civil wars amongst Muslims, he stood steadfastly beside the Imam, until he attained martyrdom. His tomb in Reqqa near the Syrian city of Aleppo is a site of pilgrimage today.