The Black Slave from Ethiopia, Hazrat Bilal(RA)

Hazrat Bilal (RA) or Bilal Ibn Rabah and he sometimes also known as "Bilal al-Habashi" or "Bilal the Ethiopian", the first Muezzin of Islam, originally was a black slave from Ethiopia. Hazrat Bilal (RA) was one of the most trusted and loyal companion of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) after he converted to Islam.
 
Hazrat Bilal (RA) is very lovingly remembered by Muslims around the world as one of the earliest great African Muslim. He was born in a village in a mountainous place in Western Arabia. Bilal's father was called Rebah and his mother was known as Hamamah. They had come to Arabia as slaves from Ethiopia. The father and mother were slaves of Umayyah ibn Khalaf ibn Safwan, a rich man from the tribe of Quraish. Bilal was therefore born in slavery and served as a housekeeper.

Among the slaves from Africa, Hazrat Bilal (RA) was the first to accept Islam. He had a strong faith in Allah (SWT) and a great love for our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He had a pure character, soon after converting to Islam he earned high respect of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) liked Hazrat Bilal's sweet voice and made him the first Muazzin of Islam - The Caller to the Prayers.
 
One day Umayyah ibn Khalaf saw Hazrat Bilal (RA) with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), The Next day Makkah's people saw Umayyah ibn Khalaf and his friends drag Hazrat Bilal (RA) to the city square.
Hazrat Bilal (RA) remained quiet with shining black eyes looking to the sky. All the people - young and old - followed them, anxious to know what destiny was waiting for Hazrat Bilal (RA).
 
The sun had reached the middle of the sky creating beads of perspiration on the black, naked body of Bilal (RA). The white of Bilal (RA) eyes had become red from the heat. He looked around at the people who stared wide - eyed back at him. He fell on the hot sands. Umayyah ibn Khalaf pushed aside the people and with a fiery torch stood over his head. Bilal (RA) closed his eyes, which only served to further infuriate Umayyah ibn Khalaf.
 
"Bilal," came the shout of Umayyah ibn Khalaf, "O' you unlucky slave, are you willing to repent, or do I burn your body by the fire?"

Bilal(RA) did not answer. He did not open his eyes. Umayyah ibn Khalaf's anger increased. He brought the torch forward to Bilal's body.

The stench of burning flesh permeated gradually to everybody's nostrils. Umayyah ibn Khalaf was shocked as he heard Bilal's resonant voice split the silence.

"Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..."
 
At times Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) became unconscious as a result of being subjected to severe torture when he regained his consciousness he had to face the angry yelling of his master who wanted him to abandon Islam. However, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, his master, said with a dirty and unkind heart: "You must either die or disown Mohammad's Lord." But the resistant and brave Hadhrat Bilal who had been filled with passion for Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and Islam, was not negligent even for a moment and repeated the eloquent and permanently effective word "Allah is One, Allah is One."
Umayyah ibn Khalaf anger flared. "Shut your mouth, you impudent slave!

"Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..."
 
Moments later, when the enemy was defeated, Umayyah ibn Khalaf's body was found lying among the dead. Hazrat Bilal's shout was as thunder as he moved away from the body of Umayyah ibn Khalaf to join other Muslim soldiers to kill more enemies of Islam with each stroke of his sword.

"Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..."

Upon the conquest Of Makkah, as Hazrat Ali (RA) destroyed the Idols within the Holy Kaaba, Bilal (RA) climbed on top of the Holy Kaaba and recited the Azaan "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar". The Mushrikeen of Makkah watched in bewilderment the slave who they had once tortured mercilessly stood gloriously on top of the Holy Kaaba whilst they, the Nobles of the Quraysh watched in humiliation.

After the departure of Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) from this world Bilal (RA) went to recite the Azaan, when he came to recite the name of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), overcome with grief he broke down in tears. The rest of the Muslims also broke down in tears and started sobbing uncontrollably. Bilal (RA) managed to complete the Azaan with great difficulty. After that day he decided to no longer recite the Azaan the grief was just too much for him to handle. He eventually after joining the Muslim army settled in Damascus.

One day as he was sleeping at his home in Damascus he saw Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in a dream. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) asked, "Why is it that you don't come to visit me." As soon as Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) woke he set out for the city of Medinah.

Upon his arrival in Medinah the grandsons of Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain came to visit him. Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) had deep love and affection for them and was overjoyed when he met them. Upon the request of the grandsons of  Prophet (pbuh) he recited the Azaan for the last time.

The People of Medinah were surprised to hear his voice. They were reminded of Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), when in those days Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) used to recite the Azaan five times a day. Upon hearing his voice all the people both men and women came out of their houses in tears and the sound of their grief reverberated across the city of Medinah.

After a few days Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) returned to Damascus where he eventually passed away.

We Muslims were taught but unfortunately we have forgotten certain lessons, we were taught that we are Muslims today because of the great sacrifices offered by our beloved Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and his companions. It is through Hazrat Bilal's (RA) cries of "Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..." that we are blessed today with faith (Iman).

It is through their sacrifices that we recite Noble Qur'an today! So every time we hear a Qari recite, Surah Ikhlas, let us remember Hazrat Bilal's (RA) cries of "Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..." his body bruised and bleeding, in the intense pain they would ask:
"Bilal! Who is your lord?" he would reply saying "Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..." every time we hear the Azaan let us remember the first Muadhin of Islam and his cries of "Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..."

How man learnt to burry the dead...

The Two Sons of Adam (pbuh) Adam, Abel and Cain:

 

Not pleased with the partner chosen for him, Cain began to envy his brother and refused to obey the command of his father and, in doing so, he disobeyed God. God created man with both good and bad tendencies, and the struggle to overcome our baser instincts is part of His test for us.

God commanded that each son was to offer a sacrifice. His judgment would favor the son whose offer was the most acceptable. Cain offered his worst grain, but Abel offered his best livestock. God accepted Abel’s sacrifice, so Cain became enraged, threatening to kill his brother.

“And (O Muhammad) recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam (Abel and Cain) in truth; when each offered a sacrifice to God, it was accepted from the one but not from the other. The latter said to the former; ‘I will surely kill you.’” (Al-Ma’idah 5; 27)

 

Abel advised his brother that God would accept good deeds from those that fear and serve Him, but reject the good deeds of those who are arrogant, selfish and disobedient towards God.

“The former said: ‘Verily God accepts only from those who are pious.  If you do stretch your hand against me to kill me I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you, for I fear God; the Lord of mankind, jinn, and all that exists.’”(Al-Ma’idah 5; 27-28) 

“So the self  (base desires) of the other (latter one) encouraged him and made fair seeming to him the murder of his brother; he murdered him and became one of the losers.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:30)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) informed us that Cain became angry and hit his brother over the head with a piece of iron:

“God sent a crow who scratched the ground to show him to hide the dead body of his brother. He (the murderer) said: ‘Woe to me! Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide the dead body of my brother?’ Then he became one of those who regretted.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:31)

Adam was devastated; he had lost both his first and second born sons. One had been murdered; the other was won over by mankind’s greatest enemy – Satan. Patiently, Adam prayed for his son, and continued to care for the earth. He taught his many children and grandchildren about God. He told them of his own encounter with Satan and advised them to beware of Satan’s tricks and schemes. 

 

Years and years passed, and Adam grew old and his children spread out across the earth.

 

And here we are the Progeny of Adam and Hawa! Alhamdulilah! To Allah we Return...

Desire the Gates of Knowledge...

A short poem containing vital guidelines for a student to follow from the onset of learning and throughout the duration of study:
 
Instructing the Student on How to Open of the Gates of Knowledge and Comprehension-
 
For anyone who desires to open the Gates of Knowledge and become outstanding in Comprehension:

• Observe Taqwaa of Allaah and adhere to the Sunan, and remain far away from people of notoriety and turmoil.
• And tread, in your conduct, the course of the Salaf, and stay away from the innovations of the Khalaf.
• For every good lies in following the Salaf and every ill lies in the innovations of the Khalaf.
• To anyone who desires to lead others in knowledge, spreading its good to all.
• Stay sincere to your Lord and set your standards high, and you shall find yourself gifted with aptitude.
• The effort comes from you, and then opening the gates comes from your Lord, the All-Acquainted Watcher, the Bestower.
• He promised guidance to those who strive and struggle saying: “We shall most certainly guide them,” so seek direction from this.
• However, effort alone will be futile if not completed by the opening from Him.
• Thus, may Allaah, the Most Generous, have mercy upon anyone who in a time like this devotes himself.
• To seeking this noble knowledge, turning away from all distraction, and rejecting the fake worldly desires;
• Embarking in earnest, kneeling down before the possessors of guidance, attentively listening.
• Writing everything that he hears, noting all the points that which will be to his advantage.
• Memorizing and revising what he recorded with his esteemed, guiding peers
• That is the one who will have the gates opened for him by his Lord, who removes all barriers.
• We ask You, O Allaah, to bless us with knowledge, Taqwaa, and Jannah – The Abode of Happiness. 

Barakallahu Feekum!