Qais Abdur Rashid

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Qais Abdur Rashid is a legendary progenitor of the Pashtun people, thought, among Pashtuns, to be the first Pashtun who traveled to Mecca and Madina during the early days of Islam.

Qais Abdur Rashid was born Pehtan Qais in Southern Afghanistan. Upon hearing about the advent of Islam, he was sent by his tribe to Arabia. He met Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and embraced Islam, and was named Abdur Rashid by him.

It is also said that the famous warrior companion, Khalid bin Walid, who was a Quarashi Arab from Bani Makhzoom, cousins of Mohammed who was from bani Hashim, and Qais Abdur Rashid was introduced by him to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). It is commonly believed by Pashtuns that Khalid bin Walid and Qais Abdur Rashid were their fathers, who brought Islam to them, well before the invasion of Afghanistan/Pakistan by the Arab Muslim forces during the caliphate of Omar bin Khattab, the second caliph.

Qais Abdur Rashid died leaving three sons: Sarban, Baitan and Ghourghusht. From these three sons, as well as Karlan. Most of his sons went on to settle parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan as far away as Lahore. We get the majority of Pashtun tribes known today from these sons.