Hazrat Bilal Habshi

Sayyid al-Mu'azzineen (Leader of the Mu'azzins), Imam al-Aashiqeen, The great devotee, faithful companion & Mu'azzin of the beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Sayyiduna Bilal al-Habashi (radi Allahu anhu) is a famous & exalted Sahabi who accepted Islam in it's 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 &bhis mother's name was Hamamah.

His birth place is Abyssinia (Ethiopia) & 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 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 Hazrat Bilaal or Umayya Ibn Khalaf himself when he accepted Islam. The Kaafirs of Makkah persecuted him severely. When Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) came to know about the pain & anguish which he underwent at the hands of the Kuffaar, he bought him & set him free. One of the many emancipated slaves of Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) was known for his beautiful voice & was given the honour by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) of being the first Mu'azzin of Islam. He remained constantly in the company of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). He was at the service of the needs of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Muhaddith Hakim & Hafiz Abu Nu'aym also regarded him as one of the Ashaab of al-Suffah.

After he had accepted Islam, he participated with beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in the battle of Badr & in all other battles. He called the Adhaan & he was the Mu'azzin of Masjid al-Nabawi as long as he remained with beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). His greatness & excellence is mentioned in numerous books of Ahadith.

VIRTUE:
One day at the time of Fajr, beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu 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". Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu 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 & from amongst the Salaah I read, I verily read Tahiyyat-ul-Wudhu (Salaat after Wudhu)" when beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) heard this, he said that it was because of this action that he had attained such status.

Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) used to mention:

أبو بكر سيدنا وأعتق سيدنا
Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) is our leader who freed our leader Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu).

In "Hilyat al-Auliya", beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) mentions that he is Sayyid al-Mu'azzineen (leader of the Mu’azzins).

ENDURANCE OF DIFFICULTY ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM:
Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) was harassed & beaten the day long & during the night. He was tied in chains & 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 anhu), who was loved by Allah Ta'ala.

Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu 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 & sometimes Umayyah bin Khalaf & others. Each of them would beat him until they got tired but no mercy was spared for the slave whom they so brutally injured & whose status in Jannah was to surpass that of many Arabs.

In the sweltering heat under the Arabian skies, Hazrat Bilal’s love for Allah shone brighter than the sun itself. So strong was it that he could not conceal it despite the punishment & 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 Hazrat Bilal, so strong was his faith & love.

His Jewish master would insult him & threaten him to denounce Islam, beat him, whip him & humiliate him on the streets of Makkah, but nothing was able to shake Hazrat Bilal's heart.

FREEDOM:
One day, it so happened that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) was passing that way & saw Sayyidina Hazrat Bilal crying out, "Ahad! Ahad!", despite the immense torture he was being subjected to. As he watched, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique’s heart became agitated upon seeing Hazrat Bilal under such persecution & tears filled his eyes.

He then called Hazrat Bilal towards himself & advised him to utter Allah's name in solitude & not to utter it in the presence of his persecutor, or he would be subjected to further persecution & torture. Hazrat Bilal replied, "O Honoured One! You are the Siddique of Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) & therefore I accept your advice & will act accordingly."

The following day, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) happened to pass that way & again he witnessed the same sight.

Hazrat 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, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique’s heart was filled with pain & he advised Hazrat Bilal, "Brother, why do you utter 'Ahad' in the presence of this persecutor? Utter it silently & secretly within yourself".

Hazrat Maulana Rumi (radi Allahu anhu) says:

"When Abu Bakr advised him towards silence & 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."

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique, on numerous occasions, gave Hazrat 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!"

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) finally went to Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) & related the story to him. When Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) heard the story, he was filled with sorrow & 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?"

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) replied: "Ya Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), I shall buy Bilal. Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) agreed & said, "Let my share also be therein".

Subhan Allah! How great the fortune of Sayidina Hazrat Bilal, that Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) himself took part in purchasing him.

Hazrat Abu Bakr then approached the Jew while he was again torturing Hazrat Bilal. Hazrat 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." Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) answered, "Yes, I will free him. I have a black slave who is even stronger than him & who is in your religion. Will you accept this slave in exchange for him?" Umayyah bin Khalaf accepted the offer. Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) exchanged the slaves & thus bought Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) & freed him before migration. It is also narrated that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique paid the ransom & freed Hazrat Bilal. Besides Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) he bought other slaves who were being beaten & harassed for accepting Islam & freed them also.

After this, Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), out of love & joy, embraced Hazrat Bilal & held him to his heart.

Hazrat Maulana Rumi (radi Allahu anhu) says:

"Beloved Mustafa embraced Bilal & 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, it's people fled to their houses in fear & bolted the doors & windows. They feared that the Muslims would avenge themselves for the wrong done to them years ago.

The Muslims advanced towards the Holy Kabah & then Hazrat 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 Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) formed brotherhood between the Sahaaba (radi Allahu anhum ajma'een) which meant that two two brothers should be concerned about each other's difficulty & necessity. In this way all of them became Muslim brothers & they shared in the sorrow & grief of each other. Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made Hazrat Bilaal & Hazrat Ubaida bin Haarits (radi Allahu anhuma) brothers & a few Historians mention that beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam made Hazrat Abu Rawahah Khashami (radi Allahu anhu) the brother of Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu).

PARTICIPATION IN THE BATTLE OF BADR & THE KILLING OF UMAYYA BIN KHALAF:
A year after beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) & his beloved Sahaaba (radi Allahu anhum ajma'een) migrated from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah, the battle of Badr took place. Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu 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 & the Muslims - who forced the Muslims out of Makkah, who also oppressed Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) were killed in this battle. Specially, Abu Jahl & Umayyah bin Khalaf who severely punished Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) were both killed in this battle.

THE BEGINNING OF ADHAAN & THE APPOINTMENT OF HAZRAT BILAAL (radi Allahu anhu) AS MU'AZZIN:
In the second year after Hijrah, the announcing of the time of Salaat began & Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) was appointed Mu'azzin & always remained the Mu'azzin of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) both in his presence & also during travel.

Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) stayed with beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) In Madinah Munawwarah, he was the Mu'azzin & even while travelling, he went with beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) & at the time of Salaah he used to give Adhaan. Very seldom beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) went somewhere & someone other than Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) called the Adhaan. Whenever beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) went to Masjid al-Qubaa, then Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) would give the Adhaan & when hearing him, the people living around the area knew that beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was in the area.

Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu 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 & 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 & 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 (sallallahu alaihi wasallam):
Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) was the Muazzin of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) & his treasurer. If anyone came to beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) with any necessity then he used to ask Hazrat Bilaal to carry out this task who would then make sure to get the necessary item & fulfill the need on behalf of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

Hazrat Bilal mentioned it to Abdullah Al-Hawzaani that if some Muslims came who did not have anything to wear, then Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) should order me to take a loan & purchase a cloth to clothe the needy.

Whilst doing this once Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) accumulated a heap of dates. Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) what is this? Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) answered I have accumulated this for you & your visitors. Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Oh Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu), spend it & do not fear it becoming less"

ENDURANCE OF HUNGER:
Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) was the special companion of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). It is for this reason he also endured difficulties. Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said that undoubtedly, the fear he had for Allah was greater than anyone else. On one occasion thirty nights & days passed with him & Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) having had only that amount to eat which could be concealed under the armpits (side) of Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu).

COMPANIONSHIP WITH BELOVED PROPHET (sallallahu alaihi wasallam):
Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) was always present in the company of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Hazrat Jaabir (radi Allahu anhu) mentions that at the time of Eid, he was present with beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) started the Salaah without the Adhaan, Iqaamat & thereafter gave the Khutbah. Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) stood up & stood side by side with beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) while beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) stood up resting on him & after praising Allah, beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) delivered a lecture & reminded the people about the commands of Allah & encouraged the people to be obedient to Allah Ta'ala. Thereafter, he took Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) with him & addressed the women & ordered them to fear Allah & advised them & reminded them about the commands of Allah.

At one time Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) presented himself in the company of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) It was morning & beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was having meals. Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) told Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) to join him. Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) mentioned to beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that he was fasting. Beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) remarked, "We are eating our sustenance & the sustenance of Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) is preserved in Jannah." Then he told Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) that the bones of a fasting person make Tasbeeh & the Angels request his forgiveness when something is eaten near him." (Mishkat al-Masabih)

HEARTBREAK & IMMENSE GRIEF:
After the passing away of Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Bilal was overcome with immense grief. This death had completely shattered his heart & in this state, he decided that he could no longer stay in Madinah Sharif. He then gathered his belongings & left for Syria. He had just left the border of Madinah Sharif, when sleep overcame him. He found a tree to sleep under & took some rest there. In his sleep, Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) appeared in his dream & said, "Bilal, why did you leave me?" Hazrat Bilal immediately woke up & without hesitation, made the journey back to Madinah Sharif.

However, since the passing away of Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Bilal’s grief had been so immense that he resolved that he would never do the Azan again & so he refused the please of the people. As he advanced towards the blessed Masjid, he saw the two beloved grandsons of Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Hassan & Hussain. They too requested for him to do the Azan & when he looked upon their blessed young faces, his love for them overwhelmed his heart. He knew he could never refuse them anything & they were, after all, the grandsons of the one whose love had penetrated his heart through & through.

Hazrat Bilal then stood up on the Mimbar, assumed his position as the Mu'azzin & started to read the Azan. His voice, beautiful as it was, rang through the streets of Madinah Sharif, his pain & heartbreak evident in the painful tune. He read to his heart’s content, & in such a manner that there was not a person in the blessed city whose eyes were not wet with tears.

When Hazrat Bilal reached "Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur Rasulallah", he broke down & could not continue. His pain & the pain of Madinah's people was unbearable. Memories of the beautiful days when Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) & sat amongst them penetrated their hearts with hurt & agony. The emptiness of their lives & their souls without Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had devastated them & 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:
Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) then came in the presence of Hadrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) & said, "Oh Khalifah of Rasoolullah, without doubt I have heard from beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that the best action of a Mu'min is Jihaad in the path of Allah & I have intended now to spend my life in Jihaad till I die." Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) said, "Oh Bilaal! I swear by Allah & my right which is deserving to honored (it is for this reason) that during my lifespan you spend it in Madinah al-Munawwara & give Adhaan. Because I have become old & my time is near (death)." Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) then remained in Madinah Munawwarah. (Usd-ul-Ghabah)

After Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) became Khalifah, then Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) came to him & said the same thing again. Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) gave the same answer which Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) had given, but Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) respectfully refused to stay any longer. Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) granted permission to him. Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) became a Mujaahid forever & went to Syria. During the Khilaafat of Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) when he went to Syria, then Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) gave Adhaan in his presence. The narrator says that on this day, Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) thinking of the days of beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) cried to such an extent which we never saw before.

MARRIAGE:
While in Syria, Hazrat Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) got married but it is not known whether he had any children or not. The author of Usd-ul-Ghabah states that at the time of death, Bilaal (radi Allahu anhu) had no children.

PASSING AWAY OF THE PROPHET’S MU'AZZIN:
The great devotee & Mu'azzin of Rasulallah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), the courageous & beloved Abyssinian by the name of Hazrat Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) passed away in the 20th year after Hijrah in the middle of reading Adhan in Damascus, Syria between the years 638 & 642 at the age of 60 or 63 & there he is buried near "Bab as-Sagheer". When beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) 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 & despite this, he continued to announce boldly, "Ahad, the One Allah!". He participated in the battles & endured both hunger & 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 & racial equality in the foundations of Islam. May Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) be pleased with him forever... Aameen!!

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