Bilal ibn Ribah
| Bilal ibn Rabah بلال بن رباح |
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Titles: al-Habashi (التمار) and Sayyid al-Muʾaḏḏin
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| Born | March 5, 580 AD |
| Birthplace | Mecca, Hejaz |
| Ethnicity | Afro-Arab |
| Known For | Being a loyal companion of Muhammad and the first muezzin in Islam |
| Occupation | Secretary of Treasure of The Islamic State of Medina |
| Died | March 2, 640 (aged 57) AD |
| Father | Rabah |
| Mother | Hamamah |
| Wife | Arab |
| Religion | Islam |
Bilal ibn Rabah (Arabic: بلال ابن رباح (580–640 AD) also known as Bilal al-Habashi, Bilal ibn Riyah, and ibn Rabah), was one of the most trusted and loyal Sahabah (companions) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was born in Mecca and is considered as the first muezzin, chosen by Muhammad himself. He was known for his beautiful voice with which he called people to their prayers. Bilal ibn Rabah rose to a position of prominence in Islam; but after Muhammad died in 632 AD, Bilal adopted an isolationist and monastic lifestyle. He died in 640, when he was just 57 years old.
Bilal ibn Rabah was born in Mecca in the Hejaz in the year 580 AD. His father Rabah was an Arab slave from the clan of Banu Jumah while his mother, Hamamah, was a former princess of Abysinna (modern day Ethiopia) who was captured after the event of Amul-Fill (the attempt to destroy the Kaaba) 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 statues of Arabia prevented Bilal from achieving a lofty position in society.
Muhammad Abdul-Rauf in his book, Bilal ibn Rabah, states,
Similarly, William Muir in his book, The Life of Muhammad, states,
Muir also states that noble members of the Quraysh despised Bilal and called him ibn Sauda (son of the black woman).
When Muhammad announced his prophethood and started to preach the message of God, Bilal would listen to what was being conveyed. The preaching of Muhammad attracted Bilal towards Islam and he was among its earliest converts. Bilal renounced idol worship and as a result was subjected to torture.
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Wikipedia