Sayyid al-Mu’azzineen (Leader
of the Mu’azzins), Imam al-Aashiqeen, The great devotee, faithful companion and
Mu'azzin of the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, Hadrat Sayyiduna
Bilal al-Habashi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu is a famous and exalted Sahabi who
accepted Islam in its early days in Makkah al-Mukarramah. When he accepted
Islam, the non-believers placed great difficulties upon him which he bore with
great forbearance in his youth. His father's name was Rabah and his mother's
name was Hamamah.
His birth place is Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and this is why he is known as Habshi
(the old name for Abyssinia is Habsh). Born in the late 6th century, the
preferred view is that Bilal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was 43 years old at the
time of Hijra but it has been suggested by some that he could have been as old
as 53.
He was either a slave of a woman in Makkah who had made Umayyah bin Khalaf her
agent in the matters of Hadrat Bilaal or Umayya Ibn Khalaf himself when he
accepted Islam. The Kaafirs of Makkah persecuted him severely. When Hadrat Abu
Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu came to know about the pain and anguish which he
underwent at the hands of the Kuffaar, he bought him and set him free. One of
the many emancipated slaves of Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, Bilal Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was known for his beautiful voice and was given the honour by
the Holy Prophet Muhammad SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam of being the first
Mu'azzin of Islam. He remained constantly in the company of beloved Prophet
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. He was at the service of the needs of beloved
Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Muhaddith Hakim and Hafidh Abu Nu'aym also
regarded him as one of the Ashaab of al-Suffah.
After he had accepted Islam, he participated with beloved Prophet SallAllaho
Alaihi wa Sallam in the battle of Badr and in all other battles. He called the
Adhaan and he was the Mu'azzin of Masjid al-Nabawi as long as he remained with
beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. His greatness and excellence is
mentioned in numerous books of Ahadith
VIRTUE
One day at the time of Fajr, beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam asked
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, 'O Bilaal, 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 Jannah'. Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala
Anhu 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 Salaah, and from amongst the Salaah I read, I
verily read Tahiyyatul Wudhu (Salaat after Wudhu)" when beloved Prophet
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam heard this, he said that it was because of this
action that he had attained such status.
Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu used to mention
أبو بكر سيدنا وأعتق سيدنا
Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu is our leader who freed our leader
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala.
In 'Hilyat al-Awliyaa', beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam mentions
that he is Sayyid al-Mu’azzineen (leader of the Mu’azzins).
ENDURANCE OF DIFFICULTY ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was harassed 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 lie on the hot desert sands which cause even greater injuries to
the body of Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, who was loved by Allah Ta'ala.
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu 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 the slave whom they so brutally
injured and whose status in Jannah was to surpass that of many Arabs.
In the sweltering heat under the Arabian skies, Hadrat Bilal’s love for Allah
shone brighter than the sun itself. So strong was it that he could not conceal
it despite the punishment and torture afflicted on him by his cruel master.
There were times when a large boulder would be placed upon his chest as he lay
on the scorching sand, his ribs being crushed under the weight. Yet the words
‘Ahad! Ahad! (There is only one Allah!)’ were constantly repeated by Hadrat
Bilal, so strong was his faith and love.
His Jewish master would insult him and threaten him to denounce Islam, beat him,
whip him and humiliate him on the streets of Makkah, but nothing was able to
shake Hadrat Bilal’s heart.
FREEDOM
One day, it so happened that Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu
was passing that way and saw Sayyidina Hadrat Bilal crying out, "Ahad! Ahad!",
despite the immense torture he was being subjected to. As he watched, Hadrat Abu
Bakr Siddique’s heart became agitated upon seeing Hadrat Bilal under such
persecution, and tears filled his eyes.
He then called Hadrat Bilal towards himself and advised him to utter Allah's
name in solitude and not to utter it in the presence of his persecutor, or he
would be subjected to further persecution and torture. Hadrat Bilal replied, "O
Honoured One! You are the Siddique of Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam,
and therefore I accept your advice and will act accordingly."
The following day, Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu happened to
pass that way, and again he witnessed the same sight.
Hadrat Bilal was once more uttering the cry of "Ahad! Ahad!" while the Jew was
torturing him to such an extent that again his body became soaked in blood.
Seeing this, Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique’s heart was filled with pain and he
advised Hadrat Bilal, "Brother, why do you utter 'Ahad' in the presence of this
persecutor? Utter it silently and secretly within yourself".
Hadrat Mawlana Rumi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu says:
"When Abu Bakr advised him towards silence and secrecy,
Bilal repented again,
But when love overwhelmed, he swallowed the repentance.
It is the message of the troubled heart.
Without You there can be neither peace nor comfort."
Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique, on numerous occasions, gave Hadrat Bilal the same
advice but on every occasion when he passed that way, he saw the same scene -
the Jew persecuting Bilal who was all the time crying, "Ahad! Ahad!”
Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu finally went to Rasulallah
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and related the story to him. When Rasulallah
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam heard the story, he was filled with sorrow and tears
flowed from his blessed eyes. He asked, "O Siddique! What is the solution to
this problem? How can we save Bilal from this calamity?"
Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu replied: "Ya Rasulallah
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, I shall buy Bilal. Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa
Sallam agreed and said, "Let my share also be therein".
SubhanAllah! How great the fortune of Sayidina Hadrat Bilal, that Rasulallah
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam himself took part in purchasing him.
Hadrat Abu Bakr then approached the Jew while he was again torturing Hadrat
Bilal. Hadrat Abu Bakr said to him, "Why are you beating this friend of 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 Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu 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 Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu exchanged the slaves
and thus bought Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu and freed him before
migration. It is also narrated that Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique paid the ransom and
freed Hadrat Bilal. Besides Bilal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu he bought other slaves
who were being beaten and harassed for accepting Islam and freed them also.
After this, Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, out of love and joy,
embraced Hadrat Bilal and held him to his heart.
Hadrat Mawlana Rumi Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu says:
"Beloved Mustafa embraced Bilal and held him against his chest. The ecstasy
Bilal felt! Who can ever imagine that?"
CONQUEST OF MAKKAH
When the Muslims finally conquered the city of Makkah, its people fled to their
houses in fear and bolted the doors and windows. They feared that the Muslims
would avenge themselves for the wrong done to them years ago.
The Muslims advanced towards the Holy Kabah and then Hadrat Bilal assured the
people that they were safe. He announced out loud, "All those who lay down arms
are safe. All those in the house of Abu Sufyan are safe. All those behind closed
doors are safe."
BROTHERHOOD
After the migration Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam formed brotherhood
between the Sahaaba Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhum Ajma’een 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. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam made Hadrat
Bilaal and Hadrat Ubaida bin Haarith (Radi Allahu Anhuma) brothers and a few
Historians mention that beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam made Hadrat
Abu Rawahah Khashami Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu the brother of Hadrat Bilaal Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anhu.
PARTICIPATION IN THE BATTLE OF BADR AND THE KILLING OF UMAYYA BIN KHALAF
A year after beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and his beloved Sahaaba
Radi Allahu Anhum Ajma’een migrated from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah
Munawwarah, the battle of Badr took place. Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu
also participated in this battle with the other Sahaaba Radi Allahu Anhum
Ajma’een. The leaders of the Mushrikeen of Makkah (who were the enemies of Islam
and the Muslims - who forced the Muslims out of Makkah, who also oppressed
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) were killed in this battle. Specially,
Abu Jahl and Umayyah bin Khalaf who severely punished Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anhu were both killed in this battle.
THE BEGINNING OF ADHAAN AND THE APPOINTMENT OF HADRAT BILAAL RADI ALLAHU TA’ALA
ANHU AS MU’AZZIN
In the second year after Hijrah, the announcing of the time of Salaat began and
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was appointed Mu’azzin and always remained
the Mu’azzin of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam both in his presence
and also during travel.
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu stayed with beloved Prophet SallAllaho
Alaihi wa Sallam In Madinah Munawwarah, he was the Mu’azzin and even while
travelling, he went with beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, and at the
time of Salaah he used to give Adhaan. Very seldom beloved Prophet SallAllaho
Alaihi wa Sallam went somewhere and someone other than Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anhu called the Adhaan. Whenever beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa
Sallam went to Masjid al-Qubaa, then Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu would give
the Adhaan and when hearing him, the people living around the area knew that
beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam was in the area.
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu used to give the Fajr Adhaan 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 Adhaan then he should stretch his
limbs, and make the following Du'a after which he gave the Adhaan.
اللهم إنى أحمدك وأستعينك على قريش أن يقيموا دينك
'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 Adhaan said that there was not a day that
he did not mention this Du'a. [Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol. 2, Page 198, Hadith 519]
TREASURER OF BELOVED PROPHET SALLALLAHO ALAIHI WA SALLAM
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was the Muazzin of beloved Prophet
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and his treasurer. If anyone came to beloved Prophet
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam with any necessity then he used to ask Hadrat Bilaal
to carry out this task who would then make sure to get the necessary item and
fulfill the need on behalf of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam
Hadrat Bilal mentioned it to Abdullah Al-Hawzaani that if some Muslims came who
did not have anything to wear, then Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam
should order me to take a loan and purchase a cloth to clothe the needy.
Whilst doing this once Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu accumulated a heap
of dates. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam asked Hadrat Bilaal Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anhu what is this? Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu answered
I have accumulated this for you and your visitors. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho
Alaihi wa Sallam said, 'Oh Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, spend it and do not
fear it becoming less'
ENDURANCE OF HUNGER
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was the special companion of beloved
Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. It is for this reason he also endured
difficulties. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam 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 Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu having
had only that amount to eat which could be concealed under the armpits (side) of
Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu.
COMPANIONSHIP WITH BELOVED PROPHET SALLALLAHO ALAIHI WA SALLAM
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was always present in the company of
beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Hadrat Jaabir Radi Allahu Ta'ala
Anhu mentions that at the time of Eid, he was present with beloved Prophet
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam started
the Salaah without the Adhaan and Iqaamat and thereafter gave the Khutbah.
Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu stood up and stood side by side with beloved
Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam while beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa
Sallam stood up resting on him and after praising Allah, beloved Prophet
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam 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 Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu with him and addressed
the women and ordered them to fear Allah and advised them and reminded them
about the commands of Allah.
At one time Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu presented himself in the
company of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam It was morning and
beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam was having meals. Beloved Prophet
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam told Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu to join him.
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu mentioned to beloved Prophet SallAllaho
Alaihi wa Sallam that he was fasting. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa
Sallam remarked, 'We are eating our sustenance and the sustenance of Bilaal Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anhu is preserved in Jannah." Then he told Bilaal Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anhu that the bones of a fasting person make Tasbeeh and the Angels
request his forgiveness when something is eaten near him." [Mishkat al-Masabih]
HEARTBREAK & IMMENSE GRIEF
After the passing away of Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, Hadrat Bilal
was overcome with immense grief. This death had completely shattered his heart
and in this state, he decided that he could no longer stay in Madinah Sharif. He
then gathered his belongings and left for Syria. He had just left the border of
Madinah Sharif, when sleep overcame him. He found a tree to sleep under and took
some rest there. In his sleep, Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam appeared
in his dream and said, “Bilal, why did you leave me?” Hadrat Bilal immediately
woke up and, without hesitation, made the journey back to Madinah Sharif.
When the people of Madinah saw Hadrat Bilal returning through the city gates,
they were overwhelmed with joy. Word spread through the streets that Bilal, the
Holy Prophet’s Muazzin had returned. As Hadrat Bilal made his way to the Holy
Prophet’s Masjid, requests for him to do the Azan were ringing in his ears.
People followed him through the streets, pleading for him to deliver the call to
prayer once more. The blessed city had been deprived of his beautiful Azan for
too long, and the people craved to hear it one last time.
However, since the passing away of Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam,
Hadrat Bilal’s grief had been so immense that he resolved that he would never do
the Azan again, and so he refused the pleas of the people. As he advanced
towards the blessed Masjid, he saw the two beloved grandsons of Rasulallah
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, Hadrat Hassan and Hussain. They too requested for
him to do the Azan, and when he looked upon their blessed young faces, his love
for them overwhelmed his heart. He knew he could never refuse them anything, and
they were, after all, the grandsons of the one whose love had penetrated his
heart through and through.
Hadrat Bilal then stood up on the Mimbar, assumed his position as the Muazzin
and started to read the Azan. His voice, beautiful as it was, rang through the
streets of Madinah Sharif, his pain and heartbreak evident in the painful tune.
He read to his heart’s content, and in such a manner that there was not a person
in the blessed city whose eyes were not wet with tears.
When Hadrat Bilal reached “Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur Rasulallah”, he broke down
and could not continue. His pain and the pain of Madinah’s people was
unbearable. Memories of the beautiful days when Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa
Sallam sat amongst them penetrated their hearts with hurt and agony. The
emptiness of their lives and their souls without Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa
Sallam had devastated them and left them broken inside. Even the strongest
amongst them who were usually able to suppress the pain could not hold back any
longer.
STAY IN SYRIA
Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu then came in the presence of Hadrat Abu
Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu and said, 'Oh Khalifah of Rasoolullah, without
doubt I have heard from beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam that the
best action of a Mu'min is Jihaad in the path of Allah and I have intended now
to spend my life in Jihaad till I die." Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu
said, 'Oh Bilaal! I swear by Allah and my right which is deserving to honored
(it is for this reason) that during my lifespan you spend it in Madinah
al-Munawwara and give Adhaan. Because I have become old and my time is near
(death)." Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu then remained in Madinah
Munawwarah. [Asad al-Ghabbah]
After Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala
Anhu became Khalifah, then Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu came to him and said
the same thing again. Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu gave the same answer
which Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu had given, but Bilaal Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anhu respectfully refused to stay any longer. Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anhu granted permission to him. Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu
became a Mujaahid forever and went to Syria. During the Khilaafat of Hadrat Umar
Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu when he went to Syria, then Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anhu gave Adhaan in his presence. The narrator says that on this day,
Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu thinking of the days of beloved Prophet
SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam cried to such an extent which we never saw before.
MARRIAGE
While in Syria, Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu got married but it is not
known whether he had any children or not. The author of Asad al-Ghabbah states
that at the time of death, Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu had no children.
PASSING AWAY OF THE PROPHET’S MU'AZZIN
The great devotee and Muazzin of Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, the
courageous and beloved Abyssinian by the name of Hadrat Bilal Radi Allahu Ta'ala
Anhu passed away in the 20th year after Hijrah in the middle of reading Adhan in
Damascus, Syria between the years 638 and 642 (AD) at the age of 60 or 63 and
there he is buried near 'Bab as-Sagheer'. When beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi
wa Sallam proclaimed Prophethood, 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 Mu’azzin, but was granted the status of being the leader
of the Mu’azzins
His respected stature during the birth of Islam is a perfect example of the
importance of pluralism and racial equality in the foundations of Islam. May
Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala be pleased with him forever... Aameen!!