Amir ibn Abd al-Qays (d. ca. 661-680) was a tabi`i of Basra who died at Damascus, where he had become famous within the Muslim community for his austere and eloquent speeches. Numerous miracles are recorded of him; it is said that he lived in the desert where wild beasts came tamely to him. He was also known for his charity towards orphans. These and other aspects of his life are often cited by the Sufis.
During the reign of the caliph Uthman (d. 656), the text of the Quran was standardized, and he despatched a qari along with each copy of the Quran to various cities, so as to demonstrate the correct reading to the people. Amir ibn Abd al-Qays was responsible for this important order in Basrah.
Amir ibn Abd al-Qays was once asked by a group of people, "Do you think to yourself during prayer?" He said, "Is there anything I like to think about more than the prayer?" They said, "We think to ourselves during prayer." He said, "About Paradise and al-hoor and so on?" They said, "No; about our families and our wealth." He said, "If I were to be run through with spears, it would be dearer to me than thinking to myself about worldly matters during prayer."