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Bilal Ibn Rabah, the first
Muazzin of Islam, was one of the most trusted and loyal
companion of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).He was a
true model of the morals and customs of Islam. He
cherished unbounded love for the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
and was deeply devoted to Islam. He was a staunch foe of
the infidels and idolaters but this involved no personal
feelings. He held the infidels in deep contempt because
they were the enemies of Islam and the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.).
He is, generally, known as "BILAL
HABASHI", but actually his features were not identical
with those of the. Habashi or Zangi, His complexion was
black but his hair was not curly, it was thick.
Actually, his complexion was dark-brown. His body was
tall and slim and his chest prominent. His cheeks were
thin but his nose was not snub. Thus, as the historians
opine, he was not a pure Abyssinian. His father was an
Arab hut his mother was an Abyssinian. His fathers name
was Rabah and his mother was called Hamama, It is likely
that Hamama was a slave girl from Mecca or Sarat, Sarat
is a town between Yemen and Abyssinia, Some of the
historians claim that he was born at Mecca, but the
majority of the historians opine that Bilal was born in
Sarat, And the latter view seem to be acceptable for
there could be a mixed race in Sarat.
There is
also a difference of opinion about his date of birth.
According to some of the historians he was born 53 years
before Hijra but according la some others, he was born
about 43 year before Hijra, and this latter view seems
to be preferable.
Bilal (R.A.A.) was brought up
at Mecca, in a well known Quraishi tribe called Abu
Jamah. During the Days of Ignorance, the members of this
tribe were thought as experts in palmistry-reading the
lines of hands. They also drew out lots with the help of
arrows. This tribe had a constant dispute with Banu Abd
Manaf because, when there was a conflict between Banu
Abd Manaf and Banu Abd Dar, it had sided with the
latter, The other Muazzins of the Prophet (S.A.W.) – Abu
Mahzura and Amr bin Umm Kulsum -were also brought up in
the tribe Abu Jamah. It is difficult to state whether it
was a mere chance or it was due to melody and harmony of
voice.
It is not known with authenticity as to
who amongst the tribe of Banu Jamah was the master of
Bilal and his father. Some have written that he was the
slave of a noble woman of that tribe, while others claim
that a widow related to Abu Jahl was his mistress.
Again, some others have writer that he was the slave of
Umaiya bin Khalaf.
Bilal (R.A.A.) had a natural
hatred against the customs and practices prevailing in
the Days of Ignorance, The people in those days were
devoid of good morals, kindness and of other human
values, deceit had become their second nature.
Allah had endowed Bilal with righteous nature
and he remained true to it in his whole life. It is,
therefore, held that he readily responded to the call of
Allahs Messenger (S.A.A.) when he came out with the
Message of Oneness or Unity of Allah. It is an
established fact that Bilal (R.A.A.) had not embraced
Islam with any worldly motive or securing relief from
the torments of slave life On the contrary by accepting
Islam, he had invited upon himself torment of double
even treble intensity. He had only one purpose in view
and that was to win the favor of Allah. Allah had
illuminated his heart with the light of faith. Hence he
endured all kinds of atrocities with remarkable patience
and fortitude. It was in accord with his nature to
accept the Truth unreservedly. As soon as he heard the
clarion call for the acceptance of faith in One Allah
and the equality of
all human beings issued by
the noblest personality of the most respectable family,
Banu Hashim, he at once made an affirmative response.
His heart was as clean as Mirror, it was filled with the
sentiments of affection, sincerity, obedience and
devotion. The thought crossed his mind like a flash of
lightning that the person who wanted to liquidate class
differences in order to put the master and slave equal,
was a man who belongs to the noblest class in Mecca. Yet
he was a staunch champion of the equality of all human
being, could not be but the Truthful Messenger and the
Prophet of the Creator. He must have thought that it was
impossible for a person, who enjoyed exceeding
popularity in the whole of Mecca and commanded deep
respect from the rank and file of Mecca, to risk to the
loss of his popularity and reputation unless this person
was the Messenger of the Lord who makes no
discrimination between the high and the low, the rich
and The poor, The Arab and the non-Arab.
Those
who accepted Islam in the beginning were, except few,
generally weak and helpless. They had no supporters or
sympathisers. So the infidels inflicted endless in human
tortures on them. Tying ropes to the legs of the
Muslims, they dried them on the stony ground of the
desert. They stripped the poor Muslims need and throwing
them on the burning sand and often on red embers, placed
heavy stones on their bodies. They forced them to stand
in the blazing sun. Bilal too was tortured like that,
They wanted him to make statement which suited the
infidels purpose But he displayed unflinching
self-control, patience and perseverance. They employed
all sorts of cruelties to divert Bilal from the True
Faith but could not succeed. There was no form of threat
which was not held nut to him, and there was no form of
torture which the infidels did not execute on him, but
Bilal (R.A.A.) on the face of all this, held firm to his
faith. In reply to all of their coercion and tortures he
said, "There is none to be worshipped but Allah." Bilals
master Umaiya Bin Khalaf was his greatest tormentor. In
spite of all these tortures Bilal would utter, Ahad,
Ahad (Allah is One, Allah is One), When the tormentors
demanded of him to respect what they said, Bilal would
reply, "No, my tongue is not supposed to utter what you
say."
According to historical records, Bilals
master often tied him and threw him down and flung a
stone and cow hide over him and said, "Your gods are Lat
and Uzza so testify your faith in them." But he
continued to say "Ahad, Ahad." The infidels tied a rope
round his neck and allowed the street urchins to drag
him to and from between the two hills of Mecca. Even,
under this severe torment, Bilals tongue repeated only
one word "Ahad, Ahad." Thereupon, the infidels gave him
a severe heating and stretched him on the burning Sand.A
heavy stone was placed over his body, still he uttered
nothing save the word "Ahad, Ahad."
One day Abu
Bakr Siddiq saw the heart touching plight of Bilal(R.A
A.) and he came to his rescue. "How long will you
oppress this poor fellow?" said Abu Bakr to Bilals
master and bought him paying men Uqia (about 23 grams of
Gold) to his master. Siddiq then declared Bilal (R.A.A.)
a free man. By enduring all sorts of atrocities and
humiliations in the path of love for Allah and His
Prophet, Bilal (R.A.A.) set an example and a beacon
light till the end of this world, for the seekers after
Truth and Righteousness. He knew well the consequences
of renouncing idol-worship and offering devotion to One
God Allah, yet so deep was the imprint of the righteous
life and the unparalleled good morals of the Holy
Prophet (S.A.W.) upon his heart that no degree of savage
oppression and violence could blot it out.
Some
historian state that when the price for Bilal was being
paid, Bilals master increased the price from 7 Uqias to
9 Uqias and Abu Bakr said to him, "Even if you raise the
price to 1000 Uqias, I will definitely buy him."
It is stated that Siddiq bought Bilal at the
advice of Allahs Messenger (S.A.W.) and the Prophet
(S.A.W.) also offered him half of the price in order to
mitigate the burden of Siddiq. But Siddiq begged pardon
from the Prophet (S.A.W.) for not accepting this offer
and he himself emancipated Bilal. He then appointed
Bilal(R.A.A .) as his own store-keeper. Later on Bilal
was made to serve to the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.).
When the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) granted permission to his
companions to migrate, Bilal, along with the other
companions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), migrated to
Medina. In Medina Bilal lived in the same house with Abu
Bakr Siddiq and Aamir bin-Fahria. In Medina when the
Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) established the bond of
brotherhood between the Muhajireen (Migrants) and Ansar
(Helpers), Bilal and Abu Rouwaiha (R.A.A.) were brothers
unto each other. This clarifies that Abu Rouwaiha
(R.A.A.) was not the blood brother of Bilal (R.A.A.)
As in Mecca, so in Medina, Bilal could not
endure separation from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.).He
always accompanied the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) in all the
Holy wars that look place during the Holy Prophet
lifetime. He also remained with the Prophet (S.A.W.) in
the course of all journeys he undertook. It was for this
reason that he was appointed the first Muslim of the
Holy Prophet (S.A.W.).
Bilal (R.A.A.) continued
to the post of Muazzin of the Prophets Masjid till the
Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) left this world for his heavenly
abode He was preferred over all the Mauzzins during the
Prophets lifetime, the cause of this preference being
his precedence in embracing Islam, his rich and
melodious voice and his excellent utterance. When he
recited the call of prayer and wished to inform the
Prophet (S.A.W.) that the time for leading prayer had
come, he would stand by the door of the Prophets room
and would shout "Hasten to the prayer, Hasten to
well-being. O Messenger of Allah, prayer." Hearing his
these words the Prophet would come for leading the
prayers. Bilal (R.A.A.) would say Iqama before the
prayers commenced. While going to Salat-el-Eid or
Salat-Istisqa (prayer for rain), Bilal used to walk
ahead of the Prophet(S.A.W.) holding a spear and would
pitch it on the ground one or two yards away from the
place where the Prophet (S.A.W.) wished to lead the
congregation of the prayer. The spear was one of those
three, sent by the King of Abyssinia in homage to the
Prophet(S.A.W.), The Prophet (S.A.W.), gifted one of the
three spears to Umar (R.A.A.) and kept the third one
with himself, Thus Bilal had the honor of keeping the
Prophets spear throughout his lifetime.
Traditions relate that Bilals marriage had been
arranged by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) himself, It is
stated that the sons of Abul Bukair one day came to the
Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and said, "0 Messenger of Allah,
find a match for our sister. "The Holy Prophet observe,
"Why do you not marry her to Bilal Hearing this they
went back, but after a few days they came again and
repeated the same request, and the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
gave the same reply. Thus after a few days they came
third time with the same request. This time also the
Prophet (S.A.W.) giving the same reply added, "Bilal is
an inmate of Paradise; you should marry your sister to
him." So, having heard the Prophets advice, they married
their sister to Bilal. Bilal (R.A.A.) took more wives
after this marriage. According to Qatadah he had married
a lady of the tribe of Banu Zuhra. It is also recorded
that one of his wives was Hin-ul-Khulania who belonged
to Yemen. Bilal has no issue from any of his.
Once Bilal related to his wife a Tradition of
the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) but his wife expressed some
doubts about the authenticity of his report. Bilal in a
mood of anger went to the Prophet (S.A.W.) and recounted
his dispute with his wife, The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
went with him to his house and observed to his wife,
"You should take Bilals words for any Tradition of mine,
and do not give him cause for anger."
Bilal(R.A.A.) had given up announcing Azan after
the demise of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). He cherished
such deep love for the Prophet (S.A W.) that he could
not bear the thought of announcing the call after his
demise. In fact he used to announce especially for his
Master, the Prophet (S.A.W.), in response to which the
Prophet (S.A.W.) would arrive for prayer. During his
stay in Medina and Syria, after the demise of the HoIy
Prophet (S.A.W.), people made entreaties to him on
several occasions to call the Azan, but he always
declined, except once when Umar (R.A.A.) had visited
Damascus and had requested Bilal to call the Azan. He
complied with the request of the Caliph, and this was
his last Call that, he delivered in his lifetime. As
soon as the news got around that Bilal would deliver the
Azan for the Dawn prayer, a great excitement was
observed among the people . Everyone rushed towards the
mosque with great fondness and in frenzied state of mind
As soon as Bilals voice resounded in the air, it
produced a great excitement among the people . They
recalled to their imagination the times when the Holy
Prophet (S.A.W.) was alive and Bilal used to recite the
Azan . It is recorded in history that the whole
congregation in the mosque burst into tears Umar
(R.A.A.) and the bravest of the warriors Islam, who were
present there, could not check themselves so all wept.
Some scholars are of the opinion that the
present rhythmical form of recital of the Azan in the
Muslim world, is the same as was originated by Bilal.
One thing,
however ,must be clarified in this
connection. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) had not appointed
Bilal as the Muazzin for his masterly rhythm or melody
of the rules but it was his exceeding piety, devotion to
worship and regular attendance in the mosque that the
choice of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) fell an him for the
performance of this important duty.
It is
reported in the Traditions that the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.) paid close attention to the education and
training of Bilal (R.A.A.). Once the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.) said, "O Bilal, The best deed that a believer
can perform is to struggle for the cause of Allah. The
Prophet (S.A.W.)also taught him concerning humility " 0
Bilal always live in humility and with contentment and
die with those who feel contented."
The Prophet
(S.A.W.),off and on gave him instructions concerning
distribution of the surplus wealth with him i.e. the
Prophet (S.A.W.) He would say, "Bilal, a quantity of
wealth has accumulated with me I do not wish to keep it,
so take it and give it away to the needy so that my
heart may he alleviated from its burden " Actually the
Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) intended to teach Bilal by
example how a man should cultivate the virtue of
contentment in life and abstain from wealth. Bilal
observed with great attention all the instructions and
precedent of the Holy Prophet and proved to he a true
follower and a devotee of the Prophet (S.A.W.) till the
end of his life. He was in constant attendance on the
Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) day and night, because he derived
delight from the sight, love and kindness. He performed
the duties of an attendant upon the Holy Prophet in all
circumstances, during journeys and stay in camp, in war
and peace, but was never treated like a servant by the
Prophet (S.A.W.), Bilal expressed deep devotion for his
master and leader, He could not bear even the slightest
discomfort of the Prophet (S.A.W.) and was alive ready
to respond to his masters call. Throughout the battles
he kept running between the Prophets camp and the
battlefield, bearing communications , orders and
instructions from the Prophet (S.A.W.).to the troops
when the Prophet (S.A.W.) made a victorious entry into
the city of Mecca and the Prophet(S.A.W.) entered Holy
Kaba, there were three men. accompanying him and one of
them was Bilal (R.A.A.), the other two were
Usman-bin-Talha , the key-bearer of Kaba and Usman bin
Zaid (R.A.A.). Bilal performed the duty of reciting the
call to prayer.
He recited the Azan for a few
days only after the demise of the Prophet (S.A.W.) and
then requested Abu Bakr Siddiq(R.A.A.) the Caliph to
release him of the duty of calling Azan, and grant him
leave to go to Syria with the Mujahideen (soldiers). It
is stated that when in the absence of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.) he pronounced the name of the Prophet while
calling the Azan ,he could not bear the absence of his
master and burst into uncontrollable tears . His
audience too, stricken with grief, broke down. He felt
oppressed in Medina without the Prophet, so in spite of
being sixty years of age, he resolved to forsake his
peaceful life in Medina and devote rest of his days to
holy war in
far-away lands. He then participated
in a number of battles. He then went to his small piece
of land in the suburbs of Damascus, which he cultivated
and lived on its produce. It is not known how long
Bilal(R.A.A.) remained in the company of Abu
Bakr(R.A.A).
After the reign of the first
Caliph, Bilal was assigned some state duties, It is
recorded in history that when the second Caliph Umar Bin
Khattab (R.A.A.) called upon Khalid-ibn El Waleed - the
Sword of Allah- to explain in connection with some of
his alleged irregularities and errors, it was Bilal who
took off Khalids turban from his head and tied his hands
with if in open assembly and did not untie him until
Khalid (R.A.A.) had furnished a satisfactory explanation
of all the charges made against him. After this he
offered his sincere apology to Khalid(R.A.A.).
There is another episode that reveals the high
esteem in which Bilal was held by Umar. It is stated
that one day Abu shufyan-bin-Harb, Suhail- bin-Amr and
some other prominent Arab Chiefs came to the Caliph for
an interview. By chance Bilal and Sahib (an ex-slave)
also arrived to meet the Caliph, When Umar learnt of
their arrival he called in Bilal and Sohaib at once and
the Arab Chiefs, who had come earlier, stood waiting
outside. Abu Sufyan could not restrain himself turning
to his companions he remarked, "It was our fate to
endure this disgrace. The slaves are admitted to
audience while we the nobles of Arabia stay at the
door,"
Hearing this remark Suhail Bin Amr
retorted, "But who is to be blamed for this? The
Messenger of Allah invited us all with one voice but we
refuted his call and offered severe resistance to him On
the other hand these slaves came forward "and made a
positive response, It is their right now to get
preference over us in this world and the next. We have
no cause for complaint,"
During the Caliphate of
Umar (R.A.A.), when the registers of salaries and
allowances were being prepared, the Caliph dispatched a
letter to Bilal – who was with the army in Syria -
asking him to intimate with whom his name should be
entered.
"Enter my name with Abu Rouwaiha whom I
shall never abandon on account of the fraternal bond
established by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) between him and
me," replied Bilal (R.A.A.).
Except the episodes
mentioned above, history furnishes no further record of
his life after the demise of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.),
It is recorded that he had joined the Muslim Army in the
Holy War in Syria. But he had completely dissociated
himself from the public life in the closing phase of his
life, As we have stated above, he acquired a piece of
land in the outskirts of Damascus and passed his days in
peace and isolation, After this nothing was heard about
him but he was seen in public when he called Azan for
the Caliph Umar (R.A.A.) on the request of the eminent
companions of the Prophet (S.A.W.).
It was the
year 20 of Hijra when Bilal (R.A.A.) expired in
Damascus. He was seventy when he died. He died of
epidemic like plague. It is stated that he was of the
same age as was Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.A.). On his
deathbed he was very glad at the prospect of meeting his
master, the Prophet (S.A.W.) and his companions who had
already gone to the next world. When his wife cried out
by his bedside and began to weep bitterly, he comforted
her saying:
"Do not cry. Why do you weep! l am
looking forward to see my master, the Prophet (S.A.W.)
and other companions after such a long reparation. If
Allah wills I shall meet them all tomorrow." And he
really expired the day after, "Innalillah-e-Wa Inna
Ilai-he-Raje-oon."
He was buried in Damascus,
near Bab-as-Sagheer. His tomb is even today the favorite
resort of crowds of visitors, People, high and low, come
to offer prayers (Fateha) at his grave.
Among
the people Bilals credibility was e high that they would
rather disbelieve their own eyes Than cast doubts on
Bilals report of any Tradition of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.), because he paid the greatest regard to truth
in all matters concerning the action or precepts of the
Holy Prophet (S.A.W,), as well as in the affairs of
others. When Abu Rouwaiha (R.A.A.) his brother-in-Islam,
wanted to contract marriage with a lady of a respectable
tribe, he requested Bilal to intercede on his behalf.
Bilal went with him and told in clear terms to the
guardians of the bride, "I am Bilal-bin-Ribah and this
is my brother Abu Rouwaiha, who wants to establish
matrimonial relation with you. So, I must point out that
he is a very hot-tempered a man. It is up to you to give
your daughter in marriage to him or refuse." Hearing
this clear-cut testimony of Bilal the parents of the ady
accepted the proposal of Abu Rouwaiha (R.A.A.), for they
could not disregard Bilals recommendation.
Seeing the various aspects of Bilals life we
come to the clear conclusion that the most prominent
feature of his life was his complete honesty and
integrity. It was on this account that the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.) had entrusted to Bilal the management of the
Baitul Mal (State Treasury). He was also in charge of
the house hold of the Prophet (S.A.W.). He remained
close at hand even at the time of the Prophets departure
for heavenly home and was included among the selected
few who performed the funeral rites of the Prophet
(S.A.W.). It was Bilal who sprinkled water from a
skin-bag over the sepulchre of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.), and thus, gained the rare privilege of
administering the last funeral rites.
Bilal,
because of his sincerity, was an extremist by nature. He
loved intensely and hated intensely. He loved intensely
Allah and His Prophet (S.A.W.) and was deeply devoted to
Islam, but he was, at the same time, a staunch foe of
the infidels and polytheists, and he never tried to hide
his feelings and contempt for them.
Bilal
(R.A.A.) left no legacy in the form of material wealth
or offsprings, but he left a spiritual memorial which is
unique in the world, that is Azan. The call to prayer
has been recited continuously in the world, for the last
fourteen hundred years of Islam, and as the people hear
the call it recalls to mind the memory of the First
Muazzin of Islam, Bilal bin Ribah (Radia Allahu
Anhu).
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