In the Name of Allāh.

One of the fundamental teachings of Islam is unity and fairness to people. Allāh created us as males and females and made us into tribes and nations with different races and colours. Islam gives great respect for human equality, anti-racism and classlessness. No wonder the first Muazzin (caller to prayer) in Islam chosen by the Prophet (ﷺ) himself was a son of a black woman, named Bilal Ibn Rabah (RadiyaLlāhu ‘Anhu).

Bilal was the first African (from Ethiopia) to accept Islam ensuing his full conviction about what he heard of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his teachings. Bilal rose to the position of eminence in the record of Islam. Undoubtedly, when Allah loves someone, He makes him among the best through Islam and its understanding. Bilal was bestowed with a symphonic voice, great wisdom, a sense of dignity and self-respect.  

He was once a slave in the house of Umayyah Ibn Khalaf (a major antagonist of Islam and the Prophet [ﷺ]). As a slave in the Pre-Islamic society, he was treated no better than any piece of an asset since the owner has the right over him. After accepting Islam, his master used all sorts of torture to make him change his mind. He threw Bilal naked under the boiling sun of the desert, put a heavy rock on his chest, and persuaded him to renounce his newfound way (i.e. Islam). However, our great hero didn’t change his mind. He stood firm upon the veracity. He was eventually sold to Abu Bakr (RadiyaLlāhu ‘Anhu), who was fond of buying Muslim slaves to set them free. Bilal got freedom and became eminent among others.

I beseech Allāh to be Especially Merciful to Bilal Ibn Rabah. (Aameen)