The Story of Bilal Ibn Rabah (580-640) Great Muslim Warrior From Africa

Bilal ibn Rabah (Arabic: بلال بن رباح‎) or Bilal al-Habashi (AD 580-640) was an African of Ethiopian heritage companion of Islamic Prophet Muhammad SAW, born in Mecca who is considered as the first muezzin chosen by the prophet himself.

He was among the emancipated slaves freed by Abu Bakr and was known for his beautiful voice with which he called people to their prayers. His name can also be known as, “Bilal ibn Riyah” or “ibn Rabah” and he is sometimes known as “Bilal al-Habashi” or “Bilal the one from Habesha (today’s Ethiopia)”. He died sometime between 638 to 642, when he was just over sixty years old.

Bilal Ibn Rabah, was an emancipated slave of key importance in Islam. He is said to have been one of the most trusted and loyal Sahabah (companion) of Prophet Muhammad SAW. His respected stature during the birth of Islam is often cited by Muslims as evidence of the importance of pluralism and racial equality in the foundations of the religion.

According to Ibn Ishaq, Abdullah Ibn Zaid Ibn Abd Rabbihi went to Muhammad with his story that he saw Adhan in his dream, Prophet Muhammad, approving the method for calling to prayers, told him to ask an Ethiopian named Bilal, who had a marvelous voice, to call the Muslims to prayer (the Adhan). As Ibn Ishaq told the story (in Albert Guillaume’s translation):

When the Apostle was told of this he said that it was a true vision if God so willed it, and that he should go to Bilal and communicate it to him so that he might call to prayer thus, for he had a more penetrating voice. When Bilal acted as muezzin, Umar I, who later became the second caliph, heard him in his house and came to the Apostle… saying that he had seen precisely the same vision. The Apostle said ‘God be praised for that!’

Though slightly different versions of the story exist, all agree that Islam’s first muezzin was Bilal.

This book is story of Bilal Ibn Rabbah great muslim warrior from Africa.