Bilal ibn Rabah
Bilāl ibn Rabāḥ (Arabic: بِلَال بِن رَبَاح) (5 March 580 – 2 March 640), was one of the Sahabah (companions) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was born in Mecca and is considered to have been the first mu'azzin in history, chosen by Muhammad himself.[1][4][5][6] He was a former Abyssinian slave and was known for his mellifluous voice with which he called people to their prayers. He died in 640, around the age of 60.
This article is about the companion of Muhammad. For the Mosque named in his honour, see Rachel's tomb.Birth and early life[edit]
Bilal ibn Rabah was born in Mecca in the Hejaz in the year 580.[7] His father Rabah is Arab of the clan of Banu Jumah while his mother, Hamamah, was allegedly a former princess of Abyssinia[8] who was captured after the event of the Year of the Elephant, and put into slavery. Being born into slavery, Bilal had no other option but to work for his master, Umayyah ibn Khalaf. Through hard work, Bilal became recognised as a good slave and was entrusted with the keys to the Idols of Arabia. However, racism and sociopolitical statutes of Arabia prevented Bilal from achieving a great position in society.[7]
After Muhammad[edit]
Shia view[edit]
After Muhammad died in 632 CE, Bilal was one of the people who did not give bay'ah (the oath of allegiance) to Abu Bakr.[2][26][27][28] It is documented that when Bilal did not give bay'ah to Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab grabbed Bilal by his clothes and asked, "Is this the reward of Abu Bakr; he emancipated you and you are now refusing to pay allegiance to him?[2]
Bilal replied, "If Abu Bakr had emancipated me for the pleasure of Allah, then let him leave me alone for Allah; and if he had emancipated me for his service, then I am ready to render him the services required. But I am not going to pay allegiance to a person whom the Messenger of God had not appointed as his caliph."[2] Similarly, al-Isti'ab, a Sunni source, states that Bilal told Abu Bakr: "If you have emancipated me for yourself, then make me a captive again; but if you had emancipated me for Allah, then let me go in the way of Allah."
This was said when Bilal wanted to go for Jihad. Abu Bakr then let him go."[2][29]
The following is a poem by Bilal on his refusal to give Abu Bakr bay'ah: