Hazrat Bilal (Razi Allah tala anh) was one of the closest and most faithful companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). He was strong in faith, patient in hardship, and loved by Allah and His Messenger. His life teaches us the meaning of courage, truthfulness, and loyalty to Islam. He was the first person to give the call to prayer (Adhan) in Islam. His voice reminded people to come and pray to Allah. But before he was honored with this role, he went through many difficult tests.
Early Life and Acceptance of Islam
Hazrat Bilal was born in Makkah. He was an African slave who lived in a time when slaves had no rights and were treated badly. His master was a rich man who worshipped idols. Bilal, like many other slaves, had to obey whatever his master said.
But deep in his heart, Hazrat Bilal was different. When he heard about the message of Islam, his heart opened to the truth. He learned that there is only one God—Allah, and that He is the only one who should be worshipped. He also learned that all people are equal in the sight of Allah—whether they are rich or poor, black or white, strong or weak.
Trials for Faith
Bilal (Razi Allah tala anh) accepted Islam with a sincere heart. He believed in the message of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and left idol worship. But when his master found out, he became very angry. He did not like that Bilal had left the religion of his forefathers. He wanted Bilal to go back to idol worship.
But Bilal refused. He said with full faith, “Ahad, Ahad,” which means, “One, One”—referring to the One true God, Allah.
Because of his belief, Hazrat Bilal was punished badly. He was taken out to the hot desert. His body was placed on the burning sand under the hot sun. Heavy stones were placed on his chest. He was beaten and told to stop saying “Ahad.” But Hazrat Bilal did not give up. He did not change his words. He kept saying “Ahad, Ahad” again and again. His body was in pain, but his heart was full of peace.
This shows us how strong his faith was. He knew that suffering for the truth was better than living in falsehood.
Freedom and Honor
When the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companions heard about his suffering, they were very sad. Hazrat Abu Bakr (Razi Allah tala anh), a close friend of the Prophet, went to Bilal’s master and bought his freedom. He paid money to free Bilal from slavery. After that, Bilal became a free man and a proud Muslim. He stayed close to the Prophet and learned many things about Islam.
Bilal (Razi Allah tala anh) was not rich or powerful, but he was loved deeply by the Prophet. The Prophet (ﷺ) once said that he heard the footsteps of Bilal in Paradise. This was because of his strong faith, clean heart, and sincere actions. Bilal never let his past make him sad. He always looked forward and continued to do good.
The First Mu’azzin
When the Muslims moved to Madinah, Bilal went with them. There, the Prophet asked him to become the first Mu’azzin, the one who gives the call to prayer. Bilal stood on the mosque and gave the Adhan in his strong, beautiful voice. His call reminded people of their duty to Allah. Every time people heard the Adhan, they would come to the mosque and pray together.
This made the Muslim community stronger and more united.
Loyalty and Devotion
Hazrat Bilal (Razi Allah tala anh) always stayed by the Prophet’s side. He joined the Muslims in many battles and never ran away. He prayed, gave charity, and helped others.
After the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) passed away, Bilal felt very sad. He missed the Prophet so much that he found it hard to stay in Madinah. He later moved to another city and spent the rest of his life remembering Allah and the Prophet with love and respect.
Lessons from His Life
The story of Hazrat Bilal (Razi Allah tala anh) teaches us many important lessons. It teaches us that faith is more valuable than anything else. Even when he was in pain, he did not stop believing in Allah. He teaches us to stay strong when we are tested, and never to leave the truth for comfort or ease.
His life also teaches us that in Islam, all people are equal. It does not matter where you come from or how you look. What matters is your heart and your actions.
A Legacy of Equality and Strength
Hazrat Bilal also teaches us that we should never look down on others. He was once a slave, but he became one of the most respected people in Islamic history. Allah raised his status because of his belief, not because of his wealth or background. We must treat everyone with kindness, no matter who they are.
We should also learn from Bilal’s obedience. He was given the task to call people to prayer, and he did it with love and care. This shows us that when we are given a duty, we should do it honestly. Even a small role, if done with sincerity, can become something great in the eyes of Allah.
Conclusion
Hazrat Bilal (Razi Allah tala anh) is remembered with love by Muslims all over the world. He was a man of truth, patience, and honor. We should try to follow his example in our lives. We should be strong in faith, kind to others, and always ready to say what is right.
If we do this, Allah will be pleased with us, just as He was pleased with Bilal.