Bilal ibn Rabah was among the first to embrace Islam and served as the Prophet Muhammad’s first muezzin. Little is known about his life before his conversion, but upon embracing Islam, he faced severe torture and persecution from his enemies.
Brutal and relentless torture
Subjected to relentless torment, Bilal endured unimaginable suffering. Despite the cruelty inflicted upon him, he remained steadfast in his faith, refusing to renounce Islam, even when faced with death. It is said that Umayya ibn Khalaf would tie a rope around Bilal’s neck and have the boys of Mecca drag him through the valleys. They would take him to the scorching hot rocks of Mecca, place a heavy stone on his chest, and demand that he renounce his faith or face death. He was tortured on a surface so hot that if a piece of meat were placed on it, it would cook. Yet, Bilal would cry out, ” I will never worship Al-Lat and Al-Uzza (the idols of the disbelievers)!” and would faint from the intensity of the torture.
A Companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
After his conversion, Bilal became a constant companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the Sacred Mosque. As Islam spread in Mecca and Medina, he served as the Prophet’s attendant and treasurer. Bilal participated in all the battles, including Badr, Uhud, the Trench, and the conquest of Mecca.
The Prophet held Bilal in high regard and would tell Bilal’s wife, “Whatever he conveys from me is true. Do not upset him, for if you do, none of your deeds will be accepted.”
Despite the privileges bestowed upon him by the Prophet, Bilal remained humble, often saying, “I am still that Abyssinian slave of yesterday.”
Bilal was a great lover of the Prophet’s family and household. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) said of him, “May God have mercy on Bilal, for he always loved the Ahl al-Bayt.” He was also a narrator of hadith, and forty-four hadiths are attributed to him.
Bilal’s Final Call
Bilal ibn Rabah, the beloved companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was among the first to enter the Kaaba during its conquest. It was there that he delivered the first call to prayer within its sacred walls. After the Prophet’s passing, Abu Bakr sought Bilal’s voice to lead the congregation in prayer, but Bilal declined.
Some historians recount that Bilal later agreed to call the faithful to prayer at the request of Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Husayn (AS). The city trembled as his familiar voice echoed through the Mosque of the Prophet.
Bilal’s final call remained unfinished. Following the Prophet’s demise, Bilal journeyed to Syria. However, at the request of the Prophet’s daughter, Fatimah, he returned to Medina to call the people to prayer once more. As his familiar words, “Allahu Akbar,” filled the air, Fatimah was overwhelmed with memories of her beloved father. When Bilal declared, “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah,” Fatimah’s heart ached, and she fainted. Upon hearing the news, Bilal ceased his call, leaving his final words unfinished.
