Hazrat Bilal-e-Habshi
(RA)
First Muezzin of Islam
In the second year after Hijrah, the announcing of the time
of Salaat began and Hadrat Bilal (RA) was appointed Muezzin and always remained
the muezzin of Nabi (SAW) both in his presence and also during travel.
Hadrat Bilal (RA) stayed with Nabi (SAW). In Madinah, he was
the muezzin and even while travelling, he went with Nabi (SAW), and at the time
of Salah he used to give Adhan. Very seldom Nabi (SAW) went somewhere and
someone other than Hadrat Bilal (RA) called the Adhan. Whenever Nabi (SAW) went
to Musjid-e-Qubaa, then Bilal (RA) would give the Adhan and when hearing him,
the people living around the area knew that Nabi (SAW) was in the area.
Hadrat Bilal (RA) used to give the Fajr Adhan from the roof
of the house of a lady from the tribe of Banu Najjaar. Her home was joined to
the Masjid. From the time of Sehri he used to sit on the roof waiting for the
time of Fajr. When it was time to commence the Adhan then he should stretch his
limbs, and make the following Du'a after which he gave the Adhan.
'Oh Allah I praise you, and I desire that You become aid to
the Quraysh to establish Your Deen'
The woman from whose roof he gave the Adhan said that there
was not a day that he did not mention this Du'a. (Abu Dawud).
Birth:
Hazrat Bilal ibn Rabah (RA) is also known as Bilal al-Habshi. He (RA) was an Ethiopian. He was born in Mecca in the late 6th century, sometime between 578 and 582. His father's name was Rabah and his mother's name Hamamah. His birth place is Abyssinia and this is why he is known as Habshi (the old name for Abyssinia is Habsh).
Early life
Hadrat Bilal (RA) is a
famous companion of the Holy Pr0phet (SAW). When he accepted Islam, the
non-believers placed great difficulties upon him which he bore with great patience
in his youth.
He was the slave of a
woman in Makkah when he accepted Islam. The pantheist of Makkah persecuted him
severely. Hadrat Bilal (RA) was strained and beaten the day long and during the
night He was tied in chains and lashed. On the next day, he was again made to put
on the hot desert sands which cause even greater injuries to the body of Bilal
(RA), who was loved by Allah Almighty.
Hadrat Bilal (RA) used to
be beaten by many people. When one would get tired, another would take his
place. Sometimes it was Abu Jhal's turn and sometimes Umayyah bin Khalaf and
others. Each of them would beat him until they got tired but no mercy was spared
for him.
One day while Hazrat
Bilal (RA) was being tortured in this way by Umayyah bin Khalaf and his
friends, Abu Bakr (SAW) passed that way. He asked Umayyah bin Khalaf, 'Do you
not fear Allah? How long will you carry out this practice on this poor
person?" Umayyah bin Khalaf retorted that, 'since you have instigated him
(by teaching Islam to him, so you free him." Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA)
answered, "Yes, I will free him. I have a black slave who is even stronger
than him and who is in your religion. Will you accept this slave in exchange
for him?" Umayyah bin Khalaf accepted the offer. Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA)
exchanged the slaves and thus bought Hadrat Bilal (RA) and freed him before
Hijrat. Besides Bilal (RA) he bought other slaves who were being beaten and
harassed for accepting Islam and freed them also.
The woman who owned
Hadrat Bilal (RA) had made Umayyah bin Khalaf her agent in the matters of
Hadrat Bilal (RA). (Jamul Fawaaid vol. 2 pg. 32)
VIRTUE
One day at the time of
Fajr, Nabi (SAW) asked Hadrat Bilal (RA), 'O Bilal, Show me one action that you
have done after accepting Islam, whose virtue is above all other actions,
because I have heard your footsteps in Jannat'. Hadrat Bilal (RA) explains that
I have not done any action whose virtue is more than the others. But it is
true, that during the day or night, whenever I made Wudhu, I made it my duty to
read some Nafl Salaats, and from amongst the Salaats I read, I verily read
Tahiyyatul Wudhu (Salaat after Wudhu)" when Nabi (SAW) heard this, he said
that it was because of this action that he had attained such status.
Hadrat Umar (RA) used to
mention that Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA) is our leader who bought our leader Hadrat
Bilal (RA) and freed him. In 'Hilyatul Awliyaa', Nabi (SAW) mentions that he is
Sayyidul Muazzineed (leader of the Muazzins).
ENDURANCE OF DIFFICULTY ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM
COMRADESHIP
After Hijrah Rasulullah (SAW)
formed 'Mooaakhaat' between the Sahaaba (RA) which meant that two two brothers
should be concerned about each other's difficulty and necessity. In this way
all of them became Muslim brothers and they shared in the sorrow and grief of
each other. Nabi (SAW) made Hadrat Bilal and Hadrat Ubaydah bin Harith (RA)
brothers and a few Historians mention that Nabi (SAW) made Hadrat Abu Rawahah
Khashami (RA) the brother of Hadrat Bilal (RA). (Isabah).
PARTICIPATION IN THE BATTLE OF BADR
A year after Nabi (SAW)
and his beloved Sahaaba (RA) made Hijrat from Makkah to Madinah, the battle of
Badr took place. Hadrat Bilal (RA) also participated in this battle with the
other Sahaaba (RA). The leaders of the Mushrikin of Makkah (who were the
enemies of Islam and the Muslims - who forced the Muslims out of Makkah, who
also oppressed Hadrat Bilal (RA) were killed in this battle. Abu Jahl, Umayyah
bin Khalaf who severely punished Hadrat Bilal (RA) were both killed in this
battle.
THE PUBLIC TREASURER
Hadrat Bilal (RA) was the
Muazzin of Nabi (SAW) and his treasurer. If anyone came to Nabi (SAW) with any
necessity then he used to ask Hadrat Bilal to carry out this task who would
then make sure to get the necessary item and fulfil the need on behalf of Nabi
(SAW).
Abdullah Al-Hawzaani (RA)
says that I met Hadrat Bilal and I asked him concerning the expenditure of Nabi
(SAW),He mentioned that from the time Allah Ta'aala gave him Nubuwwat until his
death, this expenditure was entrusted to me. (this expenditure was for the
needy, and those people who came from outside or anyone who asked for
assistance. I used to do as commanded and fulfil this need). If some Muslims
came who did not have anything to wear, then Rasulullah (SAW) should order me
to take a loan and purchase a cloth to clothe the needy. (Hilyatul Awliyaa).
Hadrat Bilal (RA) was the
special companion of Nabi (SAW). It is for this reason he also endured
difficulties. Nabi (SAW) said that undoubtedly, the fear he had for Allah was
greater than anyone else. On one occasion thirty nights and days passed with
him and Hadrat Bilal (RA) having had only that amount to eat which could be
concealed under the armpits (side) of Bilal (RA).
COMPANIONSHIP WITH NABI (SAW)
Hadrat Bilal (RA) was
always present in the company of Nabi (SAW).
Hadrat Jabir (RA) relates
that at the time of Eid, he was present with Nabi (SAW). Nabi (SAW) started the
Salaat without the Adhan and Iqamat and thereafter gave the Khutbah. Bilal (RA)
stood up and stood side by side with Nabi (SAW) while Nabi (SAW) stood up
resting on him and after praising Allah, Nabi (SAW) delivered a lecture and
reminded the people about the commands of Allah and encouraged the people to be
obedient to Allah Ta'aala. Thereafter, he took Hadrat Bilal (RA) with him and
went closer towards the women and ordered them to fear Allah and advised them
and reminded them about the commands of Allah.
At one time Hadrat Bilal
(RA) presented himself in the company of Nabi (SAW). It was morning and Nabi (SAW)
was having meals. Nabi (SAW) told Bilal (RA) to join him. Hadrat Bilal (RA)
mentioned to Nabi (SAW) that he was fasting. Nabi (SAW) remarked, 'We are
eating our food and the food of Bilal (RA) is preserved in Janna." Then
told Bilal (RA) that the bones of a fasting person make Tasbeeh and the Angels
request his forgiveness when something is eaten near him." (Mishkat)
STAY IN SYRIA
When Nabi (SAW) passed
away and Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA) became Khalifah, then Hadrat Bilal (RA) met
Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA) and said, 'Oh Khalifah of Rasulullah, without doubt I have
heard from Nabi (SAW) that the best action of a Mu'min is Jihad in the path of
Allah and I have intended now to spend my life in Jihad till I die."
Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA) said, 'Oh Bilal! I swear by Allah and my right which is
deserving to honoured (it is for this reason) that during my lifespan you spend
it in Madinah and give Adhan. Because I have become old and my time is near
(death)." Hadrat Bilal (RA) then remained in Madinah. (Asadul Ghabaa)
When Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA)
passed away and Hadrat Umar (RA) became Khalifah, then Bilal (RA) came to him
and said the same thing again. Hadrat Umar (RA) gave the same answer which
Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA) had given, but Bilal (RA) was unhappy and refused to stay
any longer. He told the Khalifah of Nabi (SAW) that he used to give the Adhan
in the time of Nabi (SAW) and during the life of Abu Bakr (RA) because he was
very dear to him. He said, 'I have heard from Nabi (SAW) that there is no
action greater than Jihad (now I want to spend my life in Jihad)".
Although he was displeased, Hadrat Umar (RA) granted permission to him. Hadrat
Bilal (RA) became a Mujahids forever and went to Syria. During the Khalifat of
Hadrat Umar (RA) when he went to Syria, then Hadrat Bilal (RA) gave Adhan in
his presence. The narrator says that on this day, Hadrat Umar (RA) thinking of
the days of Nabi (SAW) cried to such an extent which we never saw before.
MARRIAGE
While in Syria, Hadrat Bilal (RA) got married but it is not
known whether he had any children or not. According to Asadul Ghaba, at the time of
death, Hazrat Bilal (RA) had no children.
Passed away
HADRAT Bilal (RA) passed away in the 20 A.H.(638 to 642 AD)
in Damascus at the age of 63 years and
there he is buried near 'Babus sagheer'. When Nabi (SAW) proclaimed prophet hood,
he was 30 years old. He spent the remaining 33 years of his life in the
assistance of this Deen, persecuted severely for admitting his Islam and
despite this, he continued to announce boldly, 'Ahad, the One Allah!'. He
participated in the battles and endured both hunger and pain. He was not only a
Muazzin, but was granted the status of being the leader of the Muezzins.
