Hazrat Bilal (Razi Allah Tala
Anhu) was a tall Abyssinian slave owned by the Quarsihite chief Umayyah
bin Khalaf. He converted to Islam in the early Makkan era, when the
persecutions against the Muslims had begun. It is believed that he was the
second adult Muslim male after Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Razi Allah Tala Anhu)
to convert to Islam.
He was severely tortured by his
master, Umayyah bin Khalaf, who used to tie him down on the hot desert sand and place heavy heated boulders on his chest. However, he remained absolutely
steadfast.
Finally, Hazrat Bilal RA was
freed by the first caliph of Islam Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique RaḍyAllāhu
'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him), who purchased him for the cause of
Islam. Until the Holy Prophet sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam ﷺ passed away, he remained his voluntary
servant.
When Hazrat Bilal RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him)
migrated to Madinah, the Holy Prophet made a bond of brotherhood between him
and the Ansari companion, Abu Ruwaihar.
When the Azan was introduced, the
Holy Prophet RaḍyAllāhu
'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) chose Hazrat Bilal RA for the honour.
Thus he became the first Muezzin (one who proclaims the Azan) of Islam. He also
delivered the Azan from the roof of the Ka'aba in February 629, when the Holy
Prophet paid a three-day visit to Makkah to perform Umra. He remained Muezzin
until the second caliph of Islam Caliphate Hazrat Umar RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him).
Bilal also participated in all
battles with the Holy Prophet ﷺ, and at the battle of Badr, he killed Ummaya
bin Khalaf (his former master). After the demise of the Holy Prophet ﷺ,
Bilal was heartbroken. But he continued to serve the caliphs of Islam
diligently.
Finally, he left Madinah for
Syria to participate in the battlefield. He spent the rest of his life there.
He died in about 18 AH and is buried in Damascus, where now a mosque marks his
grave.
The Holy Prophet said,
I heard the footsteps of Bilal in Paradise
Importance of Hazrat Bilal RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be
pleased with him) in Islam
Hazrat Bilal RA was among the
earliest converts of Islam. Because of his low origin, he was exclusively
targeted by the Makkan chiefs, especially by his master Umayya bin Khalaf. He,
however, set some of the greatest examples of patient perseverance and unshaken
faith. He was also honoured with being the first Muezzin of Islam. Hazrat Bilal
RA strengthened the first Muslim community by killing the powerful Makkan
chief, his own master, Umayyah bin Khalaf.
