Bilal ibn Rabah (RA)
One of the basic teachings of Islam is the unity of mankind and equality of people in the sight of Allah. It is no wonder then that one of the best-known heroes of Islam was an Abyssinian emancipated slave. The hero we are talking about is Hadhrat Bilal ibn Rabah (RA). He was the most trusted, righteous, and influential companions, chosen by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to be the first muezzin (reciter of the adhan, call to prayer) to use his own voice to call people to prayer.

Bilal (RA) was born in Mecca, Western Arabia. His mother was abducted as a child and sold as a slave. Bilal was known for his hard work and loyalty to his master, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, a leader in Mecca and one of the archenemies of Islam. Bilal’s (RA) presence in the household of Umayyah gave him the opportunity to hear the comments made by the leaders of Quraysh (the most influential tribe in Mecca) about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. These comments were a mixture of envy and hatred as well as a confession of Muhammad’s ﷺ integrity and honesty.

When Bilal (RA) was finally convinced of what he had heard of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he declared to join the faith of Islam. He is recorded to be from amongst the first slaves to convert to the Islamic faith in Islamic history. This step itself was not an easy one as newly reverted Muslims were subjected to ridicule and harassment and at times even persecution as soon as their conversion to Islam was identified.

Similarly, Bilal (RA) suffered terribly due to his acceptance. He was beaten mercilessly, dragged around the hills of Mecca and subjected to long periods without food or water. His owner, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, used all sorts of torture on Bilal (RA) to make him change his mind. He would bring him out at the hottest part of the day and throw him on his back in the open valley and have a great rock put on his chest; then he would say to him, ‘You will stay here till you die or deny Muhammad and worship al-Lat and al-’Uzza” (gods worshipped by the people of Mecca).

Bilal’s (RA) response amidst his suffering was only one word – “Ahad, Ahad (He is One, He is One)” which means, ‘Allah is One.’ He said nothing else, but to him this was sufficient to give him all the spiritual support needed to bear the effects of the torture he was exposed to.

A man the society had made captive, who was forced to live, serve and die as a slave, who had no family, wealth, lineage or supporters. As soon as he heard about the message of Islam, it gave him hope, strength, and purpose. It became a revolutionizing message for him and his life forward.

News of the slave who cried out “Allah is One!” even amid torture soon reached Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions. Abu Bakr (RA), Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ closest friend and a wealthy trader was sent to investigate and set Bilal (RA) free.
Umayyah and his men got tired of torturing Bilal (RA). He was asked to say something nice in favour of their gods to let him go, but to Bilal (RA), torture in its worst form was better than even those few appeasing words. When Umayyah despaired Bilal’s (RA) reversion to disbelief, he accepted Abu Bakr’s (RA) offer.

Emancipated, Bilal (RA) instantly became one of the closest and most trusted and distinguished companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. After the migration to Madinah, and when the institution of Adhan (call to prayer) was founded, it was Bilal (RA) who was given the honour to be the first muezzin (caller to prayer) in Islam.

Bilal had an echoing high-pitched mesmerizing voice. The moment people heard Bilal’s (RA) call to prayer, they came running to the masjid for prayer.

Later, upon the victorious entry to Mecca, it was Bilal (RA) again who was asked to ascend and stand on top of the Kabah to perform the call to prayer.

Bilal ibn Rabah (RA) is one of the most inspirational and illustrious names in Islamic history. His rank has been ratified by the Prophet ﷺ himself.

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ أُرِيتُ الْجَنَّةَ فَرَأَيْتُ امْرَأَةَ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ ثُمَّ سَمِعْتُ خَشْخَشَةً أَمَامِي فَإِذَا بِلاَلٌ ‏”
Jabir b. ‘Abdullah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: I was shown Paradise and I saw the wife of Abu Talha (i.e. Umm Sulaim) and I heard the noise of steps before me and, lo, it was that of Bilal. [Sahih Muslim 2457]
He is honoured by all Muslims worldwide. The great companion and second Caliph, Umar (RA), would refer to Bilal as “our Master”,

أَخْبَرَنَا جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ عُمَرُ يَقُولُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ سَيِّدُنَا، وَأَعْتَقَ سَيِّدَنَا‏.‏ يَعْنِي بِلاَلاً
Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah (RA): Umar (RA) used to say, “Abu Bakr is our chief, and he manumitted our chief,” meaning Bilal. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3754]

His life story reflects the deep love, determination and conviction he had in Allah and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His story also demonstrates Islam’s respect for human equality, kindness, anti-racism, and social equity.