Biography of Hazrat Bilal Ibn Rabah (RA)
Biography of Hazrat Bilal Ibn Rabah (RA)
Bilal Ibn Rabah (RA) was the first Muezzin of Islam (Muslim professional of a mosque who summons the faithful to prayer from a minaret of a mosque 5 times an afternoon). He turned into chosen because of the first Muezzin with the aid of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) himself. He is, normally, called "BILAL HABSHI". Bilal (RA) was one of the maximum dependent on and dependable associates of the Messenger of Allah (SAW).
His lineage and Early Life:
Bilal’s (RA) father became an Arab and his mother changed into an Abyssinian (Modern day Ethiopian). His father's name changed to Ribah and his mom’s call was Hamama. According to distinct Islamic historians, Bilal (RA) had a dark brown complexion with a tall slender frame and thick hair. He had a Muslim brother named Khalid and a sister known as Aqra. There is the difference of opinion approximately his date of delivery. According to some pupils, Bilal (RA) become born 53 years earlier than Hijra (570 AD) however in line with some others, he became born approximately 43 years before Hijra (580 AD). He was brought up in Makkah. Bilal (RA) belonged to Banu Jumah Tribe (certainly one of the Quraish Tribe). Before the revelation of Islam, the people of the Jumah tribe have been considered to be experts in palmistry. Bilal's (RA) parents have been slaves and slaves had the lowest reputation in society as they needed to obey all orders given to them by way of their masters. Bilal become born as a slave and his grasp changed into Umayyah ibn Khalaf who became head of Banu Jumah.
His Appearance:
According to distinctive Islamic historians, Bilal (RA) had a very darkish complexion with a tall slim body and thick hair.
His Acceptance of Islam:
Even earlier than the revelation of Islam, Bilal (RA) had an herbal hatred for the customs and practices of infidels. When Messenger of Allah (SAW) announced his prophethood and started to evangelize the message of Islam, Bilal (RA) right now rejected idol worship and he became Muslim. In truth, Bilal (RA) changed into one of the first 9 blessed people who transformed to Islam.
His Persecution:
People who widespread Islam in the starting had no supporters or sympathizers and infidels began torturing them brutally. Bilal (RA) become among the maximum oppressed Muslims at that time. When Bilal's (RA) grasp, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, discovered approximately his conversion to Islam, he commenced to torture Bilal (RA) so that he surrender slam and go back again to his vintage faith i-e worshiping idols. But Bilal (RA) refused to give up Islam. His grasp Umayyah and different infidels used to take him out in the noon warmth whilst the desolate tract grew to become t fatal hell. Then they could throw him bare on its scorching rocks and convey a burning hot rock, which took several men to boost from its vicinity and throw it onto Bilal’s (RA) frame and chest. This savage torture became repeated each day till the hearts of a number of his executioners took pity on him. Finally, they agreed to set him unfastened on condition that he might talk well in their gods/idols, in spite of most effective one phrase that would permit them to preserve their delight so that the Quraish would not say they were defeated and humiliated by using the resistance in their persevering slave. But even this one phrase, which he should eject from outdoor his coronary heart and with it purchase his life and soul without losing his faith or abandoning his conviction, Bilal (RA) refused to mention and started out to copy his lasting chant rather: “Ahad Ahad" (Allah is absolute/one). His torturers shouted at him, imploring him, “Mention the call of our idols ‘Al-Laat’ and ‘Al-Uzzaa’." But Bilal (RA) spoke back, "Ahad ... Ahad.” They said to him, "Say as we are saying." But he responded them with notable mockery and caustic irony, "Indeed my tongue isn't always appropriate at that." So Bilal (RA) remained in the melting warmness and under the burden of the heavy rock and by using sundown, they raised him up and placed a rope around his neck. Then they said their boys to go him the mountains and streets of Makkah. But Bilal's (RA) tongue did no longer point out something aside from his holy chant, "Ahad … Ahad…” Bilal’s (RA) torture endured for numerous days however he remained patient, courageous, firm, and waiting for the reward in the Hereafter from Allah.
Emancipation of Bilal:
News of this slave reached some of the Prophet’s companions and they informed the Messenger of Allah (SAW) about Bilal (RA). Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) dispatched Abu Bakr (RA) to negotiate for the emancipation of Bilal (RA). Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) went to Umayyah and his human beings even as they have been torturing Bilal (RA). Abu Bakr (RA) shouted at them, "Are you killing a person because of the truth he says, 'Allah is my Lord? "' Then Abu Bakr (RA) shouted at Bilal’s master Umayah ibn Khalaf, ''Take greater than his charge and set him unfastened." Umayyah favored Abu Bakr’s (RA) provide as the idea that promoting Bilal (RA) to Abu Bakr (RA) changed into greater profitable to him than his servant’s dying. Umayyah bought Bilal (RA) to Abu Bakr (RA). Abu Bakr (RA) straight away emancipated Bilal (RA) and Bilal took his place among loose guys. When Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) put his arm spherical Bilal, dashing with him to freedom, Umayah said to him, "If you had refused to buy him besides for one ounce of gold, I could have sold him to you." Abu Bakr found out it was suitable now not to answer, however, due to the fact they violated the honor of this man who had become his brother and his same, he replied Umayah through saying, "By Allah, if you had refused to promote him besides for one hundred oz., I would have paid it." Then Abu Bakr (R.A) departed together with his Bilal (RA) to the Messenger of Allah (SAW), giving him news of his liberation and there was an exceptional birthday celebration. Bilal (RA) then has become one of the most depended on and dependable Sahabi.
His Migration to Madinah and Became First Muezzin:
When the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) granted permission to his companions to migrate, Bilal (RA), in conjunction with the companions of the Prophet who migrated from Makkah to Madinah. After reaching Madinah, Bilal (RA) lived inside the equal house with Abu Bakr (RA) and Amir Bin Fahria (RA). When the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) mounted the bond of brotherhood among the Muhajireen (migrants) and Ansar (Muslim citizens of Madinah), Bilal (RA) and Abu Rouwaiha (RA) had been declared brothers unto each other When Muslims settled in Madinah, the Messenger (SAW) instituted the ‘Azan’. Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) appointed Bilal a "Muezzin" the legit who calls the worshippers to prayers. Being an African, Bilal (RA) overlooked the (h) inside the Arabic word "Ash-Hadu". Residents of Madinah first laughed at his faulty pronunciation, however, the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) rebuked them and instructed them how dear Bilal (RA) was to Allah for the stout religion he showed at some stage in infidel’s tortures on him in Makkah. Beneath Meccan tortures. Bilal (RA) had a resonant excessively pitched voice which had a hypnotic first-class, that exerted an abnormal pull on hearts. The second humans heard Bilal's (RA) Athan, they left their jobs and came jogging to the mosque. On listening to the Azan, the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) might come for leading the prayers. Bilal might additionally say the "Iqama" before the prayers started.
His role in Battles:
Bilal (RA) lived with the Messenger of Allah (SAW), witnessing all of the battles with him including Battle of Badr, Battle of Uhud, Battle of Trench, and others. In the Battle of Badr, he killed his former grasp, Umayyah ibn Khalaf. After the Muslim forces had Conquered Makkah, Bilal (RA) ascended to the pinnacle of the Kabah to name the believers to prayer (Azan). This turned into the primary time the Azan was heard inside Islam’s holiest city Makkah.
His Marriages:
One day, sons of Abul Bukair (RA) came to the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) and said, "O Messenger of Allah, discover a healthy for our sister." The Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) take a look at and said, "Why do you no longer marry her to Bilal.” Hearing this, they went lower back, however, after a few days they got here once more and repeated the same request, and the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) gave the same reply. Thus after a few days, they came a third time with the identical request. This time also the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) gave the identical reply with addition, "Bilal is an inmate of Paradise; you ought to marry your sister to him." So, having heard the Prophet's advice, they married their sister to Bilal. Bilal (RA) took greater wives after this marriage. According to Qatadah, he had married a woman of the tribe of Banu Zuhra. It is also recorded that considered one of his better halves changed into Hinul- Khulania who belonged to Yemen.
Bilal’s (RA) Honor:
Once the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “O Bilal, what special needs you've got done that I heard sounds of your taking walks steps ahead of me in Paradise.” Bilal said, “I did not do something well worth bringing up beside that each time I executed Wudu (ablution) for the duration of the day or night, I prayed after that ablution as a whole lot has become written for me (Tahayyatul Wudu).” (Ref: Sahih Bukhari: 1149) Once King Najashi of Habasha sent 3 spears as a gift to the Holy Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), he gave one ever to Umar ibn Khattab (RA), Ali ibn Talib (RA), and Bilal ibn Rabah (RA), who used the spear to restoration for the route of prayer. Bilal (S.A.W) became reputable for his entire honesty and integrity. On account of this, the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) entrusted him with the control of the Bait-al-Maal (Treasury). During his control, Bilal (RA) allotted funds to widows, orphans, wayfarers, and others who couldn't support themselves. He turned into additionally incharge of the Prophet's household. At the time of the Prophet's (SAW) death, Bilal (RA) remained close handy and changed into covered among the chosen few who finished the funeral rites of the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). It was Bilal who sprinkled water from a skin-bag over the grave of the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) and as a result, gained the rare privilege of administering the final funeral rites.
He stopped calling the ‘Azan’:
After the death of Prophet Mohammad (SAW), Bilal never felt identical again. A day after the Prophet’s death, Bilal went to make the usual Azan for Morning Prayer. While giving the Azan, he broke down and streams of tears began to roll freely down his cheeks. He managed to finish the relaxation of the Azan in a low voice. After that, Bilal (RA) stopped calling the Azan in Madinah.
During the Caliphate of Abu Bakar and Umar (RA):
Abu Bakr Siddiqi (RA) took command of the Muslims after the demise of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). Bilal (RA), who felt oppressed in Madinah without the Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), went to Abu Bakr (RA) and requested him that he wanted to enroll in the Muslim Army who become combating for the cause of Islam. Abu Bakr (RA) asked Bilal (RA) to stay in Madinah for some time as he badly needed Bilal’s help in many topics. After hearing Abu Bakr’s (RA) request, Bilal (RA) determined to live in Madinah for the duration of the caliphate of Abu Bakr (RA). When Umar Ibn Khattab (RA) took over as Caliph after the loss of life of Abu Bakr (RA), despite being quite antique, Bilal (RA) requested Caliph's permission to permit him to enroll in the Muslim Army and fight for the cause of Allah. Umar (RA) tried difficult to preserve his lower back however Bilal (RA) might now not listen. So Umar (RA) needed to provide his request and Bilal (RA) joined the Syrian Campaign. Bilal’s (RA) remaining Azan was for the duration of the caliphate of Umar (RA) when he visited Syria. The Muslims asked Umar (RA) to influence Bilal (RA) to name one Azan for them. Caliph Umar (RA) called Bilal (RA) when it became time for Prayer and requested him to call Azan as he become used to doing at some stage in the golden days of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). Bilal (RA) rose and make contact with Azan. When Bilal (RA) turned into calling the Azan, all Muslims commenced weeping like children.
His Death:
While on the loss of life bed, Bilal’s (RA) wife cried and stated, ‘What a painful pain’, to which Bilal (RA) replied, “What an exceptional joy; Tomorrow I will meet with my loved ones, Mohammad (SAW), and his partners.” It is thought that Bilal (RA) died in Syria between 638 and 642AD. Imam Al-Suyuti in his book ‘Tarikh al-Khulafa’ writes: “He (Bilal) died in Damascus whilst he was simply over sixty years antique.” Others consider that he died in Madinah. ALLAH knows high-quality.
Peace be upon Bilal Ibn Rabah (RA) for eternity.
