Story of Hazrrat Bilal And His Sufferings
Bilal And His Sufferings: Bilal (radiyallahu anhu) is well known as the sahabi who was responsible for calling “adhan” in the masjid of the Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). He was an Ethiopian slave of a nonbeliever in Makkah. His acceptance of Islam was, naturally, not liked by his master and he was, therefore tortured mercilessly. Ummayah ibn Khaf, who was the worst enemy of Islam, would make him lie down on the burning sand at midday and would place a heavy stone on his chest, so that he could not even move a limb. He would then say to him: “Renounce Islam or die in this condition.” Even under these tortures, Bilal (radiyallahu anhu) would say: “Ahad–the One, Ahad—the One” i.e. Allah.
He was whipped at night and, with the cuts thus received, made to lie on the burning sands during the day to make him either forsake Islam or to die a slow death from wounds. The torturers would get tried and take turns (Abu Jahl, Umayyah and others) and compete with one another in giving more and more painful punishment, but Bilal (radiyallahu anhu) would not yield. At last Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anhu) bought his freedom, and he became a free Muslim.
Note: Islam taught clearly the oneness of the Almighty Creator, while the idolaters of Makkah believed in many gods and goddesses with minor godlings; therefore Bilal repeated: “Ahad—the One, Ahad—the One.” This shows his love and devotion to Allah ta’ala.
Allah ta’ala was so dear to him that no amount of torture could distract him from reciting His name. It is said that in addition to other tortures the boys of Makkah would drag him in the streets, with his words “Ahad! Ahad! Ahad!” ringing in their ears.
Look how Allah ta’ala rewarded his determination! He was to have the honour of being responsible for calling adhan for Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). He was always to remain with him at home and abroad, to call out the adhan for salah. After Rasulullah’s death, it became very hard for him to continue his stay in Madinah where he would miss at every step and in every corner. He therefore left Madinah, and decided to pass the rest of his life striving in the path of Allah ta’ala. Once he saw the Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in his dream saying to him: “Bilal! How is it that you never visit me?”
No sooner did he get up than he set out for Madinah. On reaching there, Hasan and Husayn (radiyallahu anhuma), the Nabi’s grandsons, requested him to call out the adhan. He could not refuse them, for they were very dear to him. But as soon as the adhan was called, the people of Madinah cried openly, remembering the happy old days of Rasulullah’s time. Even the women came out of their houses weeping. Bilal (radiyallahu anhu) left Madinah again after a few days and died in Damascus in 20 A.H.
Note: Islam taught clearly the oneness of the Almighty Creator, while the idolaters of Makkah believed in many gods and goddesses with minor godlings; therefore Bilal repeated: “Ahad—the One, Ahad—the One.” This shows his love and devotion to Allah ta’ala.
Allah ta’ala was so dear to him that no amount of torture could distract him from reciting His name. It is said that in addition to other tortures the boys of Makkah would drag him in the streets, with his words “Ahad! Ahad! Ahad!” ringing in their ears.
Look how Allah ta’ala rewarded his determination! He was to have the honour of being responsible for calling adhan for Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). He was always to remain with him at home and abroad, to call out the adhan for salah. After Rasulullah’s death, it became very hard for him to continue his stay in Madinah where he would miss at every step and in every corner. He therefore left Madinah, and decided to pass the rest of his life striving in the path of Allah ta’ala. Once he saw the Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in his dream saying to him: “Bilal! How is it that you never visit me?”
No sooner did he get up than he set out for Madinah. On reaching there, Hasan and Husayn (radiyallahu anhuma), the Nabi’s grandsons, requested him to call out the adhan. He could not refuse them, for they were very dear to him. But as soon as the adhan was called, the people of Madinah cried openly, remembering the happy old days of Rasulullah’s time. Even the women came out of their houses weeping. Bilal (radiyallahu anhu) left Madinah again after a few days and died in Damascus in 20 A.H.