SUCH WERE THE PROPHET’S COMPANIONS
BILAL BIN RABAH رضي الله عنه
1. Who was Bilal bin Rabah (R.A)?
Popularly known as the Prophet’s mu’azzin, Bilal (R.A) was one of the seven early persons who accepted Islam.
2. What was his mother called?
His mother was Hamama.
3. Who was Abu Dharr al-Ghifari?
He was one the noble companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
4. Why did Umayyah bin Khalaf treat Bilal (R.A) so cruelly?
Umayyah bin Khalaf treated Bilal (R.A) so cruelly because the latter had embraced Islam.
5. Describe how Umayyah bin Khalaf persecuted Bilal.
Umayyah bin Khalaf used to bring Bilal (R.A) out in the scorching sun, throw him on the burning sand on the back and have a huge stone placed on his chest.
6. How did Bilal become free?
Bilal (R.A), who was a slave of Umayyah, was bought by Abu Bakr (R.A) and set him free.
7. How can you say that Bilal (R.A) was a very brave fighter?
Had it been otherwise Bilal would not have tolerated the bitter persecution at the hands of Umayyah bin Khalaf.
8. How did Bilal (R.A) came to be known as the Propher’s Mu’azzin?
When Allah honoured Muslims with the gift of Azan, the Prophet (pbuh) commanded Bilal (R.A) to deliver Azan from the Masjidun Nabwi. Thus Bilal came to be known as the Prophet’s mu’azzin.
9. Why did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) say to Abu Dharr once that he was still a man belonging to the pagan times?
Abu Dharr once spoke bad about Bilal (R.A) and called him ‘the son of a black woman’.
10. What was its effect on him? Why?
It had a deep effect on him as he began to realize his mistake. This was because he was a faithful Muslim and was of a very sensitive temperament.
11. What lesson should be learn from this incident?
We should realize that the colour of man’s skin is not important. What distinguishes a man from a man is not the colour but the Faith and righteous conduct.
12. Bilal (R.A) was a person pure of heart and very truthful. Can you quote an incident from his life to prove this statement.
Once Abu Ruwaiha requested Bilal to speak for him to the family of a Yemeni woman who Abu Ruwaiha desired to marry. Bilal went and said to them, “I am Bilal bin Rabah. Abu Ruwaiha is my brother but he lacks good manners. It is your choice whether to marry your daughter to him or not”. Bilal (R.A) did not deceive by hiding the fact. He was conscious of Allah. This incident proves that Bilal (R.A) was a man of pure heart.
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BILAL BIN RABAH – THE MU’AZZIN OF THE PROPHET (Peace be upon him)
Popularly known as the Prophet’s mu’azzin, Bilal (R.A) was one of the seven early persons who accepted Islam. He was of Abyssinian descent. His mother was Hamama. He was a slave of Umayyah bin Khalaf.
Umayyah bin Khalaf used to bring Bilal (R.A) out in the scorching sun, throw him on the burning sand on the back and have a huge stone placed on his chest.; then he would say to him: You will stay here till you die or deny what Muhammad teaches you. In reply, Bilal would only say: One, One.
He was bought by Abu Bakr (R.A) who set him free.
When Allah honoured Muslims with the gift of Azan, the Prophet (pbuh) commanded Bilal (R.A) to deliver Azan from the Masjidun Nabwi. Thus Bilal came to be known as the Prophet’s mu’azzin
