An incident which portrays sayyiduna Bilal radhiallahu anhu’s intense love for Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam.

Bilal radiallahu anhu was among the first to embrace islam and he was the first person to give azaan in Masjide nabawi shareef. He continued with this khidmat of azaan for nearly 10 years!

When rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam left this world, Bilal radiallahu anhu went to sayyiduna abu Bakr radiallahu anhu and said:

“Ya khleefata rasulillah! I have heard rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam say “The best deed for a mu’min is al-jihadu fisabeelillah”

Sayiduna abu Bakr asked “So what do you want to do, O Bilal!” He replied: “I want to spend the rest of my life in protecting the borders of Islamic khilafah”

Abu Bakr asked: “But who will give Azan for us, ya Bilal?”

Bilal’s eyes were filled with tears and he said: “I don’t want to be a muazzin for anyone after Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam”.

Abu Bakr said: ” Please stay with us and continue with the khidmat of Azan”.

Bilal replied: “If you had freed me for yourself then I will follow your instruction,(as a mark of respect and repaying the favour) however, if you had freed me for the sake of Allah then allow me to go in the path of Allah”

Abu Bakr said: “I had freed you for the sake of Allah ”

So Sayyiduna Bilal left for Shaam and remained there protecting the Borders of Islamic rule. He would not give azaan because when he would come to say “Ash’hadu Anna muhammadar rasulullah” he would be overcome with grief and start crying, he would be short of breath, as though his throat is going to be strangled.

Many years passed, then sayyiduna Bilal saw Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam in a dream, who said: “Why this distance ya Bilal? Has the time not come for you to visit us?” Sayyiduna Bilal woke up with sadness, and he set off for madina munawwarah. He came to the grave of rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam, sat close by and began to weep.

People flocked to greet him. Hasan and hussaain also came rushing. He kissed them both.

They requested him to give azaan at suhoor time. He agreed and he went on to the rooftop of the masjid and called out “Allahu Akbar” Madinah echoed with his voice. When he said “Ash’hadu alla Ilaha illallah” the whole city started shaking and when he said “Ash’hadu Anna muhamadar rasulullah” people rushed out of their homes, including young girls who would stay behind purdah. There had not been a day in which more people were seen crying than that day.

When sayyduna Umar radhiallahu anhu visited shaam during his khilafah, people approached sayyiduna Bilal through sayyiduna Umar radiallahu, who asked him to give Azan at least once.

Sayyiduna Bilal ascended the place of Azan and called out the Azan. All the sahaba were crying. Sayyiduna Umar was the most affected and he was crying the most.

When his death drew near, his wife began to cry. He said “Do not cry, because tomorrow I will be meeting my beloved ones; Muhammad and his companions” may Allah be pleased with sayyiduna Bilal radiallahu anhu.

May Allah shower his mercy upon Rasulullah sallallahu alyhi wa sallam, may he be pleased with all the sahaba, and may he bestow upon us their love and may He resurrect us among them on the day of qiyamah. Ameen