Hazrat Bilal and Umme Maktoom ra.
Hadhrat Bilaal (Radiahallahu Anhu) is a famous Sahaabah who accepted Islaam in Makkah. When he accepted Islaam, the non-Believers placed great difficulties upon him which he bore with great forbearance in his youth. His fathers name was Rabah and his mothers name Hamamah. The mention of a brother (Khalid) and a Sister (Gafeerah) are also found in the books. His birthplace is Abyssinia and this is why he is known as Habshi.(The old name for Abyssinia is Habsh). He was the slave of a woman in Makkah. This was when he accepted Islaam. The Kaafirs of Makkah perscuted him severely for accepting Islaam. When Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radiahallahu Anhu) came to know about the pain and anguish which he undrerwent at the hands of the Kuffaar, he bought him and set him free.
Hadhrat Bilaal (Radiahallahu Anhu) was the Muazzin of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He remained
constantly in the assistance of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He was in charge of the needs of Nabi
(Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
Muhaddith Hakeem (Rahmatullah Alayh) and Hafez Abu Naium (Rahmatullah Alayh) also regarded him as one of the Ashaabe – Suffa. After he had accepted Islaam, he participated with Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in the battle of Badr and inall other battles. He callaed the Azaan and he was the Muazzin of Masjide Nabawi as long as Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) remained in this world . His greatnesss is mentioned in the books of Hadith.
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