Bilal Ibn Raban, the first muezzin of Islam, was so named as he was from the Habash area, now known as Ethiopia. His life story resonates courage and consistency in a revolutionary time for the Arabs.
He had been amongst the slaves owned by Umaya ibn Khalaf, a member of the leading tribe of Arabia - the Quraish. This man became infamous in history due to his cruelty towards the new Muslims especially his slave Bilal.
Islam had been practiced undercover when Bilal chanced upon knowledge about this new religion which preached equality and worship of One Creator- Allah. He had heard about the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Muhammad was also from the Quraish tribe and was known amongst his community as"Al-Amin"(the truthful one). This newfound belief led Bilal to being severely punished by his master who hated this new upstart religion.
The torture of Bilal is famous in the history of Islam as it depicted the religious ostracism the new Muslims faced. Umaya ibn Khalaf used to leave Bilal in the middle of the desert, in soaring temperatures, with huge stones placed upon his chest. Bilal Habashi refused under all this duress to give up his beliefs. Even as he was whipped and beaten he would not stop believing in one god. This defiance against his slave master, who may have owned his body, proved ultimately that nobody could own ones mind or ones thought.
Hearing of his plight another companion of the prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr Siddiqui, came to his aid and bought his freedom for the price of nine dinars. Umaya felt he had won- and he reportedly told Abu Bakr that he would have gladly sold Bilal for one dinar. Abu Bakr replied that he would have paid one hundred dinars. This describes the high place and value of Bilal Ibn Raban, the Ethiopian slave, amongst the early Arab Muslims. His status nor his colour bore any importance amongst them but the strength of his character and his unyielding adherence to his belief.
When the muslims emigrated to Medina from to leave the persecution of Meccans in the year 622, Bilal Ibn Raban was called upon to be the first muezzin in Islam. The strong soulful voice of Bilal was ideal to project the Adhan to the community, calling the muslims dutifully to prayer five times a day.
Bilal Ibn Raban continued to be a valued member amongst the Sahaba, the companions, of the prophet Muhammad. He joined in many battles and fate was such that he eventually killed his former slave owner- Umaya ibn Khalaf!
After the death of the prophet Muhammad in year 632, Bilal found it difficult to continue his job as the muezzin. He would burst out crying due to his emotional ties to the prophet. He left Medina and is reported to have participated in further conquests before settling in Syria.
He died some time in the year 640. There in a Damascus graveyard known as Bab Sagheer, is a grave disputed to be the final burial place of a resilient man, loved and admired by Muslims for his constancy to Islam and courage displayed as a minority amongst minorities. Bilal, the first muezzin of Islam .
He had been amongst the slaves owned by Umaya ibn Khalaf, a member of the leading tribe of Arabia - the Quraish. This man became infamous in history due to his cruelty towards the new Muslims especially his slave Bilal.
Islam had been practiced undercover when Bilal chanced upon knowledge about this new religion which preached equality and worship of One Creator- Allah. He had heard about the prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Muhammad was also from the Quraish tribe and was known amongst his community as"Al-Amin"(the truthful one). This newfound belief led Bilal to being severely punished by his master who hated this new upstart religion.
The torture of Bilal is famous in the history of Islam as it depicted the religious ostracism the new Muslims faced. Umaya ibn Khalaf used to leave Bilal in the middle of the desert, in soaring temperatures, with huge stones placed upon his chest. Bilal Habashi refused under all this duress to give up his beliefs. Even as he was whipped and beaten he would not stop believing in one god. This defiance against his slave master, who may have owned his body, proved ultimately that nobody could own ones mind or ones thought.
Hearing of his plight another companion of the prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr Siddiqui, came to his aid and bought his freedom for the price of nine dinars. Umaya felt he had won- and he reportedly told Abu Bakr that he would have gladly sold Bilal for one dinar. Abu Bakr replied that he would have paid one hundred dinars. This describes the high place and value of Bilal Ibn Raban, the Ethiopian slave, amongst the early Arab Muslims. His status nor his colour bore any importance amongst them but the strength of his character and his unyielding adherence to his belief.
When the muslims emigrated to Medina from to leave the persecution of Meccans in the year 622, Bilal Ibn Raban was called upon to be the first muezzin in Islam. The strong soulful voice of Bilal was ideal to project the Adhan to the community, calling the muslims dutifully to prayer five times a day.
Bilal Ibn Raban continued to be a valued member amongst the Sahaba, the companions, of the prophet Muhammad. He joined in many battles and fate was such that he eventually killed his former slave owner- Umaya ibn Khalaf!
After the death of the prophet Muhammad in year 632, Bilal found it difficult to continue his job as the muezzin. He would burst out crying due to his emotional ties to the prophet. He left Medina and is reported to have participated in further conquests before settling in Syria.
He died some time in the year 640. There in a Damascus graveyard known as Bab Sagheer, is a grave disputed to be the final burial place of a resilient man, loved and admired by Muslims for his constancy to Islam and courage displayed as a minority amongst minorities. Bilal, the first muezzin of Islam .
The grave of Bilal Ibn Rahan in Bab Saqhir cemetery
He was dragged like animals in the streets and beaten furiously by his masters on the way. After every strike on his black skin, his aggressors were further outraged upon his resounding of the greatest truth; Ahad (Allah is one and only). He was Bilal ibn Ribah (RA), the slave of a non believer, freed by the faith in Allah Almighty.
Bilal's (RA) masters had all his life been telling him that he is inferior to them, since his god was made of wood and theirs made of gold. Now he was enlightened by the truth he was defying all inept logics presented by his masters. The great revelation upon the poor slave was that Almighty God is one and only. Allah is same for poor or rich, master or slave, black or white.
The tortured body of Bilal (RA) was witnessed by many, yet tortured egos of his masters with resounding of Ahad were less realized at that time. They placed a heavy rock on his chest laying him down on the burning sands in the scorching heat of Arabian Desert. The rock was so heavy that it was lifted by four people, but it was much lighter than the burden of truth in Bilal's (RA) heart. His skin melted in the sand that others could smell yet he stood fast on his belief on oneness of Allah and kept on repeating Allah is one and only.
Bilal ibn Ribbah (RA) was born in Mecca in the late 6th century to an Arab named, Ribbah. His mother was an Ethiopian (Abyssinian) slave. therefore, he had mixed features of Arabs and Ethiopians. He was tall and slim with straight and thick hair. He was sold as slave in his early age to Ummayyah ibn Khalaf. His master was firm believer of Idol's worship and staunch ally of enemy's of Islam.
Once the news of atrocities committed upon Bilal (RA) reached Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), He sent his most trusted companion Abu Bakkar (RA) to buy Bilal's (RA) freedom. Bilal (RA) remained present in the company of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), till sad demise of the Prophet. Bilal (RA) remained loyal and trusted companion of the Prophet (PBUH). He accompanied Prophet (PBHU) in all Islamic battles including battle of Uhud, battle of Badr and battle of Trench. He remained very close to the Prophet (PBUH) in all important events and expeditions.
Bilal (RA) also had the honor of being the first Moazen of Islam. He was chosen by the Prophet (PBUH) to say Azan (call for Prayer) due to his sweet and deep voice. He would climb the roof of the mosque and say Azan from deepest corners of his heart. His affectionate call would pierce through the hearts of listeners. Despite the fact that he could not maintain right accent in his call, it had deepest impression. He maintained his status of Moazen, till demise of the Prophet (PBUH), after which he left Madina and only said Azan at two special occasions in his life.
Bilal ibn Ribbah (RA) had no means to earn worldly nobility before he embraced Islam. He was an ordinary black slave, downtrodden in the curse of his slavery and his skin color. After embracing Islam his exemplary demonstration of faith and commitment to truth earned him great respect in the eyes of Allah, his Prophet and his fellow Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once said that he heard the resonance of Bilal's footsteps ahead of him in the heavens, which indicates Bilal's worth in the eyes of Allah. However, literal meaning of Bilal (RA) being ahead of Prophet Muhammad must not be taken.
Prophet's companions showed their affection towards Bilal (RA) by calling him Sayyadna (our respected Sir) Bilal. He was greatly respected for his Taqwaa (fear of Allah's annoyance). He would always be remembered as a role model of love and affection for Islam and Allah's Prophet. May Allah bless his sweet soul.
KNOWLEDGE IS KING!!!!!!!
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