Have you heard of a man whose life resonates through centuries? That man is Veysel Karani. We are standing before the Veysel Karani Camii in Dortmund. It is a place that honors his name and legacy.
This mosque is named after Veysel Karani. He was born Üveys bin Amir-i Karani in Yemen. It is believed that he was born in the village of Karen between 555 and 560.
Veysel Karani was a member of the Murad tribe. He lived a simple life as a shepherd. He earned his living by collecting and selling date seeds.
Not much is known about his conversion to Islam. It is likely that Muslims spreading Islam in Yemen influenced him. Despite his desire to visit the Prophet Muhammad in Medina, he stayed in Yemen. He could not leave his elderly mother.
When Veysel Karani was over 40, he received his mother’s blessing to visit the Prophet. Upon arriving in Medina, he learned that the Prophet was on the Tebük Expedition. Aisha welcomed him and conveyed his greetings. The Prophet knew a great man had visited his home. He asked Aisha about the visitor. The Prophet said that he wanted to visit the eyes that had seen him. He told his companions to visit the eyes that had seen Üveys. He said that Üveys was the best of the Tabiin.
Before his death, the Prophet Muhammad asked that his cloak be given to Üveys. After the cloak was given to him, Veysel Karani became more respected. After his mother’s death, he moved to Kufa and Basra.
During his caliphate, Omar asked a group from Yemen if Üveys el-Karani was among them. Üveys revealed himself. Omar said that the Prophet had told him that Üveys would come to Medina and asked for his prayers. Üveys prayed for him.
Omar offered to write a letter to the governor of Kufa. Üveys preferred to live a simple life away from the crowd. The next year, Omar learned that Üveys lived in poverty. He told the man from Kufa what the Prophet had said about Üveys. The man went to Üveys and asked for his prayers. Veysel Karani left the region to avoid attention.
Ali invited him to Medina. He wanted Veysel Karani to join him in the Battle of Siffin. Veysel Karani was injured during the battle and died in 657.
After his death, three tribes wanted to take his body to their lands. Ali could not find a solution and protected him. The next day, Veysel Karani’s body appeared in the coffins of all three tribes. Each tribe took a coffin. One went to Yemen, one to Damascus, and one to Bitlis.
The exact location of Veysel Karani’s grave is unknown. There are shrines attributed to him in various cities. These include Zebid in Yemen and Hive in Uzbekistan.
Veysel Karani is an example for Sufis. They believe he received spiritual guidance from the Prophet. This happened without physically seeing him. People who receive spiritual education without seeing a prophet or sheikh are called Üveysi. The saying “I feel the breath of the Rahman from Yemen” is attributed to Veysel Karani.
As we stand here at the Veysel Karani Camii, remember the shepherd from Yemen. He became a symbol of devotion. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world.