In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Within the embrace of Allah, happiness pours into the hearts.
Seek ever-greater closeness to the Most Merciful.
The Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz al-Musa Mosque
presents, through the Badi' [media group],
The Essence of the Sermon,
by Sheikh Usama Bahr, may Allah preserve him.
Whoever obeys the Lord dissolves into the sweetest of feelings.
If you meet Uways al-Qarani,
for Allah, the Exalted,
may elevate a person whom people might consider lowly,
and may lower a person whom people might consider great.
This is a truth we learn
through the story of Uways al-Qarani.
For the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said
to our masters 'Umar and 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both:
"If you meet Uways, ask him to seek forgiveness for you and to pray for you."
For he has a mother, and he has a white patch [on his skin].
Who is this man who would seek forgiveness for 'Umar,
the giant of Islam,
and for 'Ali, the knight of Islam?
The journey to search for Uways al-Qarani began
by 'Umar and 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with them.
They waited for ten years after the passing of the Prophet, peace be upon him,
watching for Uways during the Hajj season,
until the following year arrived.
A delegation from Yemen came,
and our master 'Umar said to the leader of the delegation,
after inviting them to a feast:
"Is there among you a man who is fair-skinned and has a white patch?"
The man said, "Perhaps you know him;
he is obscure, tending our camels."
So they went to him, and 'Umar said to him,
"What is your name?" He replied, "I am 'Abdullah [a servant of Allah]."
Our master 'Ali said, "We know that everyone under the heavens is a servant of Allah,
but what is the name your mother gave you?"
He asked, "Who are you two?"
Our master 'Umar said, "I am 'Umar, and this is 'Ali."
He stood up on his feet
and said, "The Commander of the Faithful and the son-in-law of the Messenger of Allah!
May Allah reward you with the best reward on behalf of Islam.
You have attained the honor of companionship [with the Prophet],
whereas I have not seen the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him."
Our master 'Umar said to him,
"O Uways, how do you imagine the Messenger of Allah?"
He replied, "I imagine him as a light that sparkles and fills the horizon."
'Umar wept out of longing for the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,
and said, "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,
requested that you seek forgiveness for us and pray for us."
He replied, "I do not single anyone out in my prayers,
but I make them general."
'Umar said, "Admonish me, O Uways."
He said, "Seek the mercy of Allah when you obey Him,
and avoid His disobedience when you fear His punishment,
and let your hope in Him never be severed."
'Umar asked, "Where do you intend to go?"
He replied, "I intend to go to Kufa."
'Umar said, "Shall we provide you with some provision?"
He said, "No."
'Umar said, "Shall we speak to the governor of Kufa on your behalf?"
He said, "No.
I wish to be among the common folk, obscure and unknown."
Then he went on his way.
Uways died in a tent for the Muslims,
obscure, known by no one.
This story confirms for us
that there are people whose station with Allah is high.
Here is Uways al-Qarani,
who did not see the face of the Prophet, peace be upon him,
yet 'Umar and 'Ali speak of him,
and they are who they are,
and he commands them, if they meet Uways,
to have him seek forgiveness and pray for them.
There is no doubt that there are many like Uways,
and that Allah, the Exalted, loves them for the purity of their hearts and deeds,
even if they are among the common folk.
These are the true standards
by which a person should be known.
It is not wealth, nor position,
nor status, nor lineage;
these are the standards that Allah, the Exalted, considers.
So reflect upon that.
Within the embrace of Allah, happiness pours into the hearts.
Seek ever-greater closeness to the Most Merciful,
so that joy may embrace you.
Attach your soul to your Lord and fill the surroundings with light;
for whoever obeys the Lord dissolves into the sweetest of feelings.
For there is darkness, then light, and revelation thereafter.
If Allah wills a thing,
He says to it, "Be," and it is.