It is related that a certain man had dug his own grave, and had been sitting by it for thirty years, emaciated and sick, waiting to die. The great devotee Uwais al-Qarni heard of this, and want to see him. When he found the man, Uwais said, “For thirty years this grave has barred you from your Lord. It is forbidden. to worship any save the One, but you have made an idol of your grave and your burial shroud.”

In the light of Uwais’ spirit, the man saw his vanity for what it was, and in that moment found his own light. Thereupon he gave a loud yell, fell into the grave and died.