Male Sahabah of African Origin

Bilal ibn Rabah

As the sun of Nubuwwah rose, the rays of light spread across the horizon, and the first individuals to witness and attest to its light will always be remembered. We all are aware that Sayyidah Khadijah radiya Llahu ‘anha was the first woman to embrace Islam, Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu the first man, Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu the first child, and Sayyidina Zaid ibn Harithah radiya Llahu ‘anhu the first slave. But who was the first African to enter the faith? Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam himself informed us when he said:

بِلالٌ سَابِقُ الْحَبَشَةِ

Bilal is the forerunner of the Africans.^[1]

What a privilege! To be the first from the second largest continent on earth to answer the call of Islam.

Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu is the son of Rabah and Hamamah, and attributed to both his father and mother. His agnomen is Abu ‘Abdullah. He was tall and dark in complexion. He had plenty of hair on the head with scant hair on his face. A slave of African origin, Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu was not seen as one having any value in society, but according to his Creator, he was exceptional.

He entered the fold of Islam in its early days. After embracing the faith, he was mercilessly tormented and tortured by his master, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and other polytheists. Umayyah would drag him in the scorching heat of noon and make him lie on his back in the desert sands of Makkah. He would then order a huge boulder to be placed on his chest, and would thereafter taunt him, “You will remain like this until you die or belie Muhammad and worship Lat and al ‘Uzza.”^[2] Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu was also forced to wear steel armour and left to swelter in the burning sun. But Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu was unique, unlike the others who surrendered somewhat, he was absolutely resolute and relentless. So they handed him over to the children of Makkah who dragged him in the streets.^[3]

In the face of such excruciating torture, what slogan would be suitable to console himself and enrage his torturers? What would be the appropriate catch phrase? Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu regarded himself as worthless and insignificant, the idols of the polytheists were hopeless and helpless, the tortures and torments he was facing were impermanent and fleeting; the only Being that was Omnipotent, Supreme, and Eternal was Allah, the Almighty subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. So he chanted, “Ahad! Ahad! (The One! The Unique!)”^[4] All the idols you are inviting me to are useless and hopeless whereas Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala alone is useful and helpful. All your persecutions are transitory, while Allah is Eternal and His blessings and rewards are everlasting. The pain I feel is meaningless, unless it is for The One, The Unique.

The cry, “Ahad! Ahad! (The Unique! The Exceptional!)” was furthermore a reflection of his state. He was unique in his resoluteness. He was matchless in his confidence. He was unparalleled in his determination in the face of difficulty. Ahad! Ahad! (The Matchless! The Exclusive!) And embodiment of humility coupled with dignity, and self-effacement combined with self-confidence. Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu was distinctive in this remarkable excellence.

Let not the Hadith Qudsi slip your mind:

فإن ذكرني في نفسه ذكرته في نفسي و إن ذكرني في ملأ ذكرته في ملأ خير منهم

If he remembers Me in secret, I remember him in secret; and if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a nobler gathering.^[5]

While the chants of Ahad Ahad echoed in the streets of Makkah, the honourable mention of Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu resounded in the heavens. He promoted Allah’s Oneness on earth, and so Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promoted his prominence in the heavens and on the earth.

His unshakable determination to announce the Oneness of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala earned him a position of dignity by the Almighty subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and in the pages of history, which will never be forgotten. Among the great legends of Islam, his name appears in the top list of Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum who will continue to be remembered by the Muslims till the end of time.

Despite this, Sayyidina Bilal’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu humility was remarkable. When people would list his virtues and excellences, he would submit, “I am only an African. I was a slave yesterday.”^[6]

The hadith aptly spells it out:

ما تواضع أحد لله إلا رفعه الله

No one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that he will be elevated by Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.^[7]

The manifestation of this promise was soon to be realised. Such honour was to be conferred upon him that his name will live eternally and his sacrifices will become proverbial. The promoter of the slogan Ahad Ahad; the African slave Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu, was going to become the architype for every Muslim faced with adversity.

While Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam would comfort the other persecuted Muslims by advising them to persevere, the torture and cruelty upon Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu was so severe and harsh, that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam expressed his desire to purchase Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu to relieve him of this torment.^[8]

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala bestowed this exclusive honour to the cream of this ummah, Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu, who purchased him for five gold coins and subsequently emancipated him. The polytheists said mockingly, “Had you refused to buy him except for a single gold coin, we would have sold him to you.” Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu countered, “Had you refused to sell except for a hundred coins, I would have still taken him.’”^[9] Sayyidina ‘Umar ibn al Khattab radiya Llahu ‘anhu would fondly state, “Abu Bakr our master freed Bilal our master.^[10]” Glory be to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala! The second greatest individual of this ummah calls Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu his master!

After his emancipation, he lived in the close company of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam during the Makkan period, benefitting spiritually from his noble qualities, and then emigrated to Madinah Munawwarah. Madinah, called Yathrib at the time, was filled with a certain type of infectious disease and the environment did not agree with Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu. He thus fell ill, with severe fever. Reciting poetry, he would express his desire to be in Makkah, away from the disease of Madinah. Hearing this, Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam supplicated to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala to remove this disease from Madinah and make Madinah beloved to them just as Makkah was, or more beloved, and to bless them in Madinah.^[11]

The Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam contracted brotherhood between him and Sayyidina Abu ‘Ubaidah ibn al Jarrah radiya Llahu ‘anhu, the trustworthy individual of this ummah.^[12] Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu himself was so trustworthy and honest that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam appointed him his personal treasurer and the treasurer of the public treasury as well.

The Muslims had settled in Madinah and established a base for Islam, Masjid al Nabawi. A counsel was held concerning the manner in which to invite the congregants for salah. Various opinions were put forward but none of them were favoured by Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. The next morning, Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn Zaid ibn ‘Abd Rabbihi radiya Llahu ‘anhu comes rushing, full of joy, to the presence of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and relates to him his dream in which an angel taught him the words of the Adhan. Without a delay in statement, Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam instructed him to stand with Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu and dictate the words to him so that the latter might call out the Adhan. “He has a sweeter and louder voice than you,” Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam explained.^[13]

It was not just his loud voice that earned him this position. Rather the manifestation of Allah’s subhanahu wa ta ‘ala promise was about to be realised. Whoever humbles himself for Allah’s pleasure will be elevated by Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala honoured Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu by making him the first Mu’adhin of Islam. The first to proclaim the Greatness of Allah, the testimony of faith, and the summons to the greatest form of worship was none other than Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

We learn from a range of traditions that the Mu’adhin will enjoy the greatest rank of distinction on the Day of Qiyamah,^[14] and he will receive forgiveness to the extent to which his voice reaches.^[15] Every moist and dry place will testify on his behalf,^[16] every human, jinn, and creation will bear witness in his favour on the Day of Qiyamah.^[17] In addition, he will receive the reward of all those who performed salah with him.^[18] Just ponder over these virtues. Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu will receive the reward of all the salah Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam performed and the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum performed. Fortunate is he indeed!

He remained the Mu’adhin of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam throughout the Madinian period and called out the Adhan for him at home and on journey. The apex of this honour was during the Conquest of Makkah. After Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam overcame the Makkans and destroyed the idols of the polytheists, he instructed Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu to climb up onto the roof of the Ka’bah and proclaim the Oneness and Greatness of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in his melodious and thunderous voice.^[19] There, the former slave climbed up the most sacred structure on earth and stood upon it, to call out the greatest call ever, while the entire Makkah watched in awe. A moment that was profoundly inspiring to most but terrifying to the few who still resisted Islam. The one who was dragged in the streets and shoved into the dirt yet never relented from taking the name of his Lord, was now made to tower above all, while standing upon the most sanctified House on earth, proclaiming the majesty of the Almighty.

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala displayed to the world the love and respect He conferred upon Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu. A chief principal was taught: honour and respect in the eyes of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is not obtained through wealth, knowledge, or lineage, but rather through piety. Some of the disbelievers made condescending remarks about this spectacle, but Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala revealed:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ وَّأُنْثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوْبًا وَّقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوْا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِيْمٌ خَبِيْرٌ

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.^[20]

And his fortune never ended here: He was one of three to enter the Ka’bah with Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam on the Day Makkah was conquered, and it was he who indicated to the ummah the very spot where Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam performed salah in the Ka’bah.

During the caliphate of Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu, when soldiers were being mobilised to strengthen the armies marching on Syria, Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu requested the khalifah to allow him to join the reinforcements, expressing his desire to wage jihad in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Again we see him seeking obscurity, rather than fame. Let me be an unknown soldier, striving in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, sacrificing my life for my Beloved, than live as the official Mu’adhin of the capital. The more Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu humbled himself seeking the countenance of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, the more Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala elevated his name.

The honour of calling out the Adhan in Masjid al Nabawi was secured by someone else after his departure from Madinah, but his name will not shine like the name of Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu. The African soldier continued fighting in the Path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, and it was only when Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu came to Syria to take the keys of Bayt al Maqdis did Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu once again call out the Adhan upon his request. His pleasant voice made people recall the happy days of the time of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and they wept, “On no other day were more people seen weeping than on that day,” the narrator explains.^[21]

A life spent initially enduring hardships in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, followed by participation in expeditions and campaigns alongside the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and calling out the Adhan, and culminating in waging jihad with the Muslim troops in Syria ended in 17/18 A.H in Damascus. Sayyidina Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu breathed his last at the ripe age of 65.

When he was on his deathbed he exclaimed, “Tomorrow we will meet the dear friends, Muhammad and his comrades.” His wife mourned, “Oh! What a disaster,” so he said, “Oh! What happiness!”^[22] Tomorrow, on the plains of Resurrection, we hope to be in the company of the beloved of Allah, Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and his faithful attendant and friend, our Master Bilal radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

NEXT⇒ Usamah ibn Zaid

^[1] Al Tabaqat al Kabir, vol. 3 pg. 213. Grade: Mursal Sahih.

^[2] Tanwir al Ghabash fi Fadl al Sudan wa al Habash, pg. 122.

^[3] Al Mustadrak, Hadith: 5238; Hilyat al Auliya’, vol. 1 pg. 149.

^[4] Al Mustadrak, Hadith: 5238; Hilyat al Auliya’, vol. 1 pg. 149.

^[5] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 502; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 6471.

^[6] Al Tabaqat al Kubra, vol. 2 pg. 2228; Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 2 pg. 214; Raf’ Sha’n al Hubshan, pg. 284.

^[7] Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 6264.

^[8] Siyar A’lam al Nubala’, vol. 1 pg. 352; Musannaf ‘Abdul Razzaq, vol. 11 pg. 234.

^[9] Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 36589; Hilyat al Auliya’, vol. 1 pg. 38.

^[10] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 3544; Jami’ al Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3656.

^[11] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 1803.

^[12] Al Isabah, vol. 1 pg. 326.

^[13] Jami’ al Tirmidhi, Hadith: 189; Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 499.

^[14] Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 750.

^[15] Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 515; Sunan al Nasa’i, Hadith: 653.

^[16] Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 515.

^[17] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 638

^[18] Sunan al Nasa’i, Hadith: 653; Sahih al Jami’ al Saghir, Hadith: 6643; Sahih al Targhib, Hadith: 231.

^[19] Al Bidayah, vol. 4 pg. 202; Sirat Ibn Kathir, vol. 3 pg. 575; Raf’ Sha’n al Hubshan, pg. 274.

^[20] Surah al Hujurat: 13.

^[21] Raf’ Sha’n al Hubshan, pg. 282; Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 2 pg. 214; al Isti’ab, vol. 1 pg. 142.

^[22] Siyar A’lam al Nubala’, vol. 1 pg. 359.

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