Download PDF: [S] Hadrat Bilal the Mu’azzin (Islamic story)

It is reported that when the slave of Ummayah bin Khalf had accepted Islam, he was full of rage. This slave was no ordinary slave, he was to be the first Mu’azzin in Islam famously known as Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal bin Rabaah – may Allah be pleased with him.

 

The Meccans also began to inflict all types of hardship and punishment to the great Muslim. Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – was placed on the hot sand and large boulders were placed on him. A rope was placed around his neck and people could take him around the streets of Mecca so that others could torment him, insult him and throw stones at him. Yet, even in these difficult times, the words of Kufr were never uttered from his lips. Even in these most difficult of times, he used to say that Allah Almighty is One and never changed his word.

 

One day, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – walked past when Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – was being punished by Umayyah bin Khalf. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – said that he would like to purchase him. Umayyah bin Khalf then said that he could have him for any amount even for as little as ten Dinaars.

 

When Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – heard this, he replied, “Even if you had asked me for a hundred thousand Dinaars, I would have been willing to pay that amount.”

 

Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – was then freed from this state of constant punishment. With regard to this act of immense kindness, the Qur’an declares in Surah Layl, verse 17 to 21:

 

وَ سَیُجَنَّبُہَا الْاَتْقَی ﴿ۙ۱۷﴾ الَّذِیۡ یُؤْتِیۡ مَالَہٗ یَتَزَکّٰی ﴿ۚ۱۸﴾ وَ مَا لِاَحَدٍ عِنۡدَہٗ مِنۡ نِّعْمَۃٍ تُجْزٰۤی ﴿ۙ۱۹﴾ اِلَّا ابْتِغَآءَ وَجْہِ رَبِّہِ الْاَعْلٰی ﴿ۚ۲۰﴾ وَ لَسَوْفَ یَرْضٰی ﴿۲۱﴾٪

 

“He will be (kept) far away (from the Fire of Hell, this person who is) from the most pious. Who gives his wealth in order to be pure. And no one has done a favour to him, for which he should be compensated. He desires only to please his Lord, the Supreme. And indeed, soon he will be very pleased.”

 

In other words, compared to other pious Muslims, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – will be given a most unique and elevated status and the Fire of Hell will never touch him or come near him.

 

This act of the great Muslim was done without any ulterior motive. He simply freed another Muslim for the Divine Pleasure of Allah Almighty.

 

He then took Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – to the blessed court of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

 

The state of Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – was something to behold. His clothes were merely tattered rags. Due to his beating, his body was dripping with blood and there were also pieces of flesh hanging from his blessed body.

 

When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – saw Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – he arose and warmly embraced him. He held him near like a person holds something dear to him. He then made special Du’a for him and this Du’a resulted in this great Muslim being the first Mu’azzin in Islam.

 

Such was the power of his Adhan that it is mentioned that when Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – used to give Adhsn, the whole of Madina Shareef used to come a stand still. His Adhan had such a great effect on people that people used to rush towards the Masjid after hearing it.

 

We also know that the Salaah was something which was considered as the coolness for the blessed eyes of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. In the Hadith Shareef, it is mentioned that he used to say, “O Bilal! Bring comfort and peace to us through Salaah.” In other words, when Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – gave Adhan, it meant that the time of Salaah had arrived and through this, peace and tranquility will be experienced by the Muslims. (Sunan Abi Daud; Musnad Imam Ahmed)

 

It was Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal’s – may Allah be pleased with him – habit that he used to carry the water for Wudu and the walking stick of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and wait for the beloved Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. He used to also carry the Na’lain Shareef of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – in his hands. When the Wudu was completed, the stick and Na’lain Shareef was handed over to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. He also considered this as one of his greatest reward which no one else had the opportunity to perform.

 

Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – had such immense love and reverence for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – that he wanted to follow every action of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. His service to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – became his mission in life and this was something which he adorned his inner being with.

 

It is reported that one day, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – asked him, “O Bilal! Explain to me the action which you have performed in Islam and of whose acceptance you have high hopes in because I can hear your foot steps in Jannah in front of me.”

 

Imagine the greatness of this eminent companion. He is being given the firm information and glad tidings that he is in Jannah while he is in this world and that too, by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – himself!

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “I have not performed such deeds whose acceptance I am quite sure of. Yes, however, during the day and night when I complete the Wudu, whatever Salaah I can perform in this time, I make sure I complete them.” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

 

It is mentioned that in one expedition, the safety of the army was placed on Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then asked, “Who will awaken us for Fajr Salaah?”

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – replied that he will awaken Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Thereafter, the Muslims decided to have a small nap. Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – continued to stay awake by performing as much Salaah as he could.

 

However, just before the Fajr Salaah, he thought that perhaps he could have a little rest. However, in this state of tiredness, he entered a deep sleep. The time of Fajr came and went, and Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – was still asleep. The entire Muslim army were also in a deep sleep.

 

After sunrise, the first person to arise was Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him. After him, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – also arose from his sleep. They then saw what they had never seen before. In other words, the act of missing the Fajr Salaah. (This action also gave a clear law to future Muslims that if they remain asleep during Fajr for some reason, the minute they awake, they should complete the Fajr Salaah).

 

When Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – approached to awake Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, he also felt extreme embarrassment to awake the beloved Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Instead, he stood on one side near Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and started to give Adhan. When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – heard the words of the Adhan, he called Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – and made him sit near him.

 

He then asked, “O Bilal! You did not awake us from our sleep?”

 

Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “O Prophet of Allah! That Divine Being had made my eyes to remain close Who did not allow you to awake as well.”

 

When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – heard these words, there was a deep smile on his face. The Adhan was again given by Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – and the Fajr was completed by all the Muslims. (Sahih Bukhari Shareef, Musnad Imam Ahmed)

 

Another amazing incident took place when Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – entered Mecca Shareef at the head of nearly ten thousand Ashaab. He also brought down the various idols which were placed in the Haram Shareef with his blessed walking stick. He also recited the 81st verse of Surah Bani Israel which clearly explains that now truth has come and falsehood has disappeared.

 

When the time for Zohar appeared, all the Muslims were sitting within the Haram Shareef and waiting for the Zohar Salaah. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – then asked, “Where is Bilal?”

 

When Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – presented himself in front of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – he was ordered to climb on the roof of the Ka’ba and sound the Adhan.

 

Is this not the best revenge for one who was persecuted by the inhabitants of the same city? Is this not the best repayment and reward for those were once poor and destitute? Is this not the best reward for those who were once considered as weak and powerless? Is this not the greatness of Islam that a former black slave will now stand on the roof of the Ka’ba and sound the Adhan while everyone stood below. Where is Abu Jahl? Where is Abu Lahab? Where are the disbelievers of Mecca Shareef?

 

The great Muslim then stood on the eastern part of the roof of the Ka’ba and sounded the Adhan. As he recited the Adhan, the entire crowd began to weep. In fact, some of their weeping were heard all around the Haram Shareef. Who were those who had seen the state of this once black slave before and were watching him now?

 

When the sound of the Adhan reached the blessed ears of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – his blessed eyes also filled with tears. He was also picturing those moments in the past how the people in Mecca treated his beloved Mu’azzin.

 

This was that beloved Muslim who used to be dragged on the streets of Mecca Shareef and people used to pelt him with stones from everywhere. This was that Muslim who was beaten and had sustained injuries in every part of his blessed body. Most times, his body used to drip with blood and pieces of flesh used to fall from his body but, today, this is the same person who is standing on the roof of the Ka’ba while those who tormented him are standing below him.

A few days later, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – left this mundane world.

 

There is no doubt that after being so close to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him, like all the rest of the blessed Ashaab, was highly affected and saddened. He had spent many moments in the blessed company of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and now when he looked around, he could not see his master. The entire world seemed to have no meaning to him. However, he also realised that everyone had to leave this world and this was the Divine Decree of Allah Almighty.

 

In the morning, after the passing away of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – he came to call out the Adhan. It was also his habit to look in the direction of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – whenever he used to recite the name of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – in the Adhan. But this morning, when he turned in that direction, he could not see Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. He only recited half this sentence and began to weep without control. In fact, even the people in Madina Shareef began to weep without control.

 

When the blessed Ashaab entered the Masjid, they noticed that Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – had fallen to the floor and was crying without control.

 

When they asked him what had happened, Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – replied that he could no longer give the Adhan and that they should nominate someone else. He also said that he could no longer give the Adhan for anyone else after the Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – understood the state of the great Mu’azzin and allocated this duty to someone else.

 

As the years went by Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – also took part in many battles and he was also present on the day that Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – entered Baitul Muqaddas as the victorious leader of the Muslims.

 

The moment Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – arrived, some of the greatest generals of the Muslim armies were waiting to greet him and welcome him. These were those blessed Muslims who had been present during the trials in Mecca Shareef, during the various times when the Muslims swore allegiance to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. These were Muslims who had taken part in major battles such as Badr and Uhud.

 

The time of Zohar arrived and the great Muslim turned to Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – and asked humbly, “I ask you in the Divine Name of Allah! To please call the Adhan, O Bilal!”

 

The great Mu’azzin replied, “I request you not to make us remember the past”.

 

However, the other Muslims requested that he obey the command of the Ameerul Mo’mineen which he acceded to.

 

Bear in mind that these were also his beloved companions and Hadrat Sayyiuna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – could not refuse their request at this historical moment. He then stood up to read the Adhan. Bear in mind that at this stage, he was much older and looked very frail and weak. However, the moment he started to read the Adhan, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – began to weep without control. All the other companions also did the same. Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal – may Allah be pleased with him – also could not control himself. All of them were remembering the days in Madina Shareef.

 

After this incident, the great Muslim choose to settle in Syria, in the city of Damascus. He passed away a short while later and a few moments before his passing, he said: “Very soon, I shall meet those who are my beloved, Muhammad and his blessed companions”. He passed away in 30 A.H.