Hazrat Bilal ibn Rabah رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ

The Islamic history is full of many stars and all of them are so complete in their characters that if we chose anyone of them as role model and follow him, in true sense of the word, it will be sufficient enough for our salvation in hereafter. They have set such beautiful examples for us in every walk of life that we do not need to look to others for guidance. One of such personalities is Hazrat Bilal ibn Rabah رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ. Because He was from Abyssinia he is known as Bilal alHabashi as well. Being a true and complete believer in every regard, he was embodiment of goodness, piety and steadfastness on the path of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. But his love for the beloved Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ is the most mentioned aspect of his character.

Hazrat Bilal was one the first fortunate ones who entered into the fold of Islam against all the odds. Although he had to face a lot of prosecution but it never weakened his faith.

Before accepting Islam he was a slave of a powerful Qurashi chief- Umayyah bin Khalaf. Umayyah would make him lie down on sand under the scorching sun of Arabian Desert and place a boulder on his chest. This all was just because he believed in oneness of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and rejected every sort of polytheism. He was whipped, humiliated and in this way forced to shun Islam but he never showed any weakness. In spite of all this torture he would only utter the words Allah is one and he alone is worthy of worship.

After a while when Hazrat Abu Bakar رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ bought him from his pagan master and released him, he joined the group of those companions who would stay at the doorstep of our Beloved Master and learn directly from the prophetic fountain. Hazrat Umar would say ابو بکر سیدنا اعتق سیدنا i.e. Abu Bakar رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ is a chief and he has released our chief i.e. Hazrat Bilal رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ.

Later on when Islam was established and Muslims were able to build a mosque. It was Hazrat Bilal who was appointed as a muezzin (a man who calls for prayers) so in this way he is the first Muazzin of Islam. Once, at the time of Fajar Salah, The beloved Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَasked Hazrat Bilal رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہ, “O Bilal! Is there any action of yours which you are performing ever since you accepted Islam and hope that it would be accepted more than any other action of yours? Because I have heard the sound of your footsteps in Jannah. Hazrat Bilal رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہreplied, “I did not do any particular action about which I am more hopeful than other actions of mine. However there is one thing, whenever, in day or night, I make wudu, I must offer as many Rak’ts of Nafal Salah as I can.” On this the beloved Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said, “This Salah after Wudu is the reason that you have been granted entry into Paradise.”

Dear Islamic brothers! This Hadith is enough to prove many controversial issues and one of them is the knowledge of unseen. The beloved Prophet by the mere grace of Allah, possess theknowledge of unseen. That is why we see in the hadith that He صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ knows that Hazrat Bilal will enter Paradise and it will be because of one action of him.

This Hadith has another pearl of wisdom. Whenever we make wudu we should perform at least two Rak’ts with the intention of Tahayya-tul-wudu was this action of Hazrat Bilal because of which he would enter into Paradise.