The companions of the Prophet, May Allah Exalt his Mention, are numerous and they served different purposes in the life of the prophet in service to the faith that is today followed by over a billion adherents.
Abu Hurayrah, for instance, evokes the reference of reporting the prophet’s sayings, hadith. Salman Al Faarisiy was a seeker of truth, Mus’ab bin Umayr was an ambassador plenipotentiary etc.
The name Bilal will most likely thrust to the fore three main considerations – the call to prayer, torture for his faith, the first black believer.
But there is indeed more to be learned about the life of the man who served Allah and the prophet before, during and long after the prophet.
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Here are some less known facts about the man called Bilal Ibn Rabah, the famed caller to Islamic prayer.
a. He was a slave to the people of the tribe of Jumah in Makkah, his mother served as their slave girl.
b. How he came to know about the Prophet? He used to listen in on conversations between his master and others antagonizing the Prophet often.
c. How he accepted Islam? He went to the Prophet and converted much to the chagrin of his masters.
d. Besides being tortured in the sun daily, which other punishment was meted out to him? He was paraded around Makkah by boys with a rope around his neck.
e. Bilal’s refrain “One.., one” was adopted as the slogan for the Battle of Badr.
f. His ex-master Umayah ibn Khalaf was killed by Bilal during the battle. He referred to Umayah as the chief of kufr (disbelief).
g. Bilal was in the company of the prophet when he returned to Makkah after the conquest.
h. The Prophet used to describe him as one of the inhabitants of paradise.
i. After the death of the Prophet, he sought permission of Caliph Abubakar to leave Makkah seeing that he couldn’t serve anyone that the Prophet.
j. He is reported to have relocated to Madinah under Abubakar’s time before leaving to Syria during Umar’s reign as Caliph.
k. His last call to prayer was in Syria during a visit by Umar. He got all companions present weeping as the call evoked memories of the Prophet.
l. His burial place is in the Syrian capital, Damascus. He died fighting in the cause of Allah.
Two ahadith - sayings of the Prophet that made reference to Bilal - perhaps good grounds to wrap this up - insha Allah.
One:
It was narrated that Jabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I attended Eid prayers with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He started with the prayer before the khutbah (sermon), with no adhan (call to prayer) or iqamah (final call to prayer).
Then he stood up, leaning on Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), speaking of fear of Allah (taqwa) and urging us to obey Him. He preached to the people and reminded them. Then he went over to the women and preached to them and reminded them. Then he said, ‘Give in charity, for you are the majority of the fuel of Hell.
A woman with dark cheeks stood up in the midst of the women and said, ‘Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Because you complain too much and are ungrateful to your husbands.’ Then they started to give their jewellery in charity, throwing their earrings and rings into Bilal’s cloak.”
(Narrated by Muslim, 885)
Two:
Abu Huraira Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that Allah’s Messenger Swalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said to Bilal Radhiallahu ‘anhu “Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise.”
Bilal said : “I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer.”
Narrated by Al-bukhari and Muslim.
Jumadath Thaanii 9, 1440 = February 14, 2019.
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