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Here is a story about Bilal if anyone is interested, from his early life to
where he died and how people still adore him. His grave is constantly
visited and prayers are said there for him daily by Syrians and
non Syrians alike.
I know its a heavy read, but it's worth it, believe me for it will lay
to rest many false assumptions once and for all (i hope).

I culled it from this site http://216.21.156.6/f_bilal.htm

Good weekend to all.

Regards
Manneh.
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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
father's 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
Allah's 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." Bilal's 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, Bilal's 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,
Bilal's 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 Bilal's 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, Bilal's
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 Allah's 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 Prophet's Masjid till
the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) left this world for his heavenly abode He was
preferred over all the Mauzzins during the Prophet's 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 Prophet's 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 Prophet's spear throughout his lifetime.

Traditions relate that Bilal's 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 Prophet's 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 Bilal's 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 Bilal's 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 master's call. Throughout the battles he kept running between
the Prophet's 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 Ka'ba, 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 Ka'ba 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
Khalid's 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 Bilal's credibility was e high that they would rather
disbelieve their own eyes Than cast doubts on Bilal's 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 Bilal's recommendation.

Seeing the various aspects of Bilal's 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 Prophet's 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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