Bilāl ibn Rabāḥ (Arabic: )ِباَل ل ِبن َر َباح, c.
580–640, was one of the most trusted and
loyal Sahabah (companions) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was born in Mecca and is
considered to have been the first mu'azzin in history, chosen by Muhammad himself.[1][4][5][6] He was a
former Abyssinian slave and was known for his voice with which he called people to their prayers.
He died in 640, about the age of 60 (or just over 20 in Hijri years).
Birth and early life
Bilal ibn Rabah was born in Mecca in the Hejaz in the year 580.[7] His father Rabah was an Arab
slave for the clan of Banu Jumah while his mother, Hamamah, was allegedly a former princess
of Abyssinia[8] who was captured after the event of the Year of the Elephant, and put into slavery.
Being born into slavery, Bilal had no other option but to work for his master, Umayyah ibn Khalaf.
Through hard work, Bilal became recognised as a good slave and was entrusted with the keys to the
Idols of Arabia. However, racism and sociopolitical statutes of Arabia prevented Bilal from achieving
a great position in society.[7]
Bilal's appearance
Bilal (left) with another of Muhammad's companions in Musa va 'Uj,
an early 15th century painting
In his book, Bilal ibn Rabah, Muhammad Abdul-Rauf states that Bilal "was of a handsome and
impressive stature, dark brown complexion with sparkling eyes, a fine nose and bright skin. He was
also gifted with a deep, melodious, resonant voice. He wore a beard which was thin on both cheeks.
He was endowed with great wisdom and a sense of dignity and self esteem." [9] Similarly, in his
book The Life of Muhammad, William Muir states that Bilal "was tall, dark, and with African feature
and bushy hair."[10] Muir also states that noble members of the Quraysh despised Bilal and called him
"Ibn Sawda" (son of the black woman).[10]
Conversion to Islam
When Muhammad announced his prophet-hood and started to preach the message of Islam, Bilal
renounced idol worship, becoming one of the earliest converts to the faith. [11]
Persecution of Bilal
Bilal ibn Rabah being whipped after he declared his Islamic Faith.
When Bilal's slave master, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, found out, he began to torture Bilal. [7] At the
instigation of Abu Jahl, Umayyah bound Bilal and had him dragged around Mecca as children
mocked him.[11] Bilal refused to renounce Islam, instead repeating "ahad, ahad" ("one, one"), i.e., one
God.[11][12] Incensed at Bilal's refusal, Umayyah ordered that Bilal be whipped and beaten while
spread-eagled upon the Arabian sands under the desert sun, his limbs bound to stakes. When Bilal
still refused to recant, Umayyah ordered that a hot boulder be placed on Bilal's chest. [7] However,
Bilal remained firm in belief and continued to say "ahad, ahad". [7]
Bilal's emancipation
News of the persecution of Bilal reached some of Muhammad's companions, who informed the
prophet. Muhammad sent Abu Bakr to negotiate for the emancipation of Bilal, who manumitted him
after either purchasing him or exchanging him for a non-Muslim slave.[7][13][14][15]
Many years later, during the mobilization for one of the Islamic expeditions in the Levant under Abu
Bakr's rule, Bilal asked him, being his previous manumitter, for permission to leave Medina and
pursue Jihad.[16]
Bilal in Madina
In the newly formed Islamic state of Madina, Bilal had become a prominent contributing member of
the Muslim society taking on important roles.
Adhan
Muhammad chose Bilal as the first mu'azzin (reciter of the Adhan).[17]
