Black face, Pure Nature
This Article is divided into four parts, giving details about Bilal al-Habashi, the first the muezzin of Islam:
Part1: Black face, Pure Nature
Part 2: Bilal in the viewpoint of the Messenger of God (PBUH) and the Commander of the Faithful (A.S)
Part 3: Bilal in the viewpoint of Hazrat Fatimah (A.S)
Part 4: Bilal and his support for Velayat
Black face, pure nature
Bilal al-Habashi (Ethiopian) was an anonymous black slave with an injured body caused by the lash beatings of the powerful aristocracy. He was the son of "Rabah" and "Hamama." He was tortured almost to death by Umayyah ibn Khalaf for believing in monotheism and freedom (1), and he could bear with patience and tolerance only by remembering the name of the Merciful God (Allah).
The day when the soul-sustaining aroma of theistic and monotheism was blown to Bilal through his freedom bestowed upon him by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), an outstanding desire appeared on his black face and his crystal clear nature, suddenly he looked at the Prophet (PBUH) and with a great devotion cited this poem in Habashi language:
At the time when in our land they ask for the best and desirable traits, we shall regard you in our words! (2)
The grandeur of his position and his words was in such a way that the responsibility of saying Azan which is the symbol of Islamic value and an Islamic slogan in calling people for prayer was given to him,(3) to the point that even his inability to say "Sh" did not become a hindrance to this responsibility, (4)
his prominent character was in a way that in time of the conquest of Mecca, the Prophet (PBUH) ordered him to go to the roof top of Kaba for saying the slogan of monotheism and the prophetic message, and because, some of the heirs of arrogance and ignorance started the language of criticism while praising themselves, the angel of divine revelation came upon the Prophet (PBUH) with a promising message of securing the paradigm of superiority of loving the ”Kaba” over loving the "tribe" based on virtue and virtuousness. (5)
Then the Amin (trustworthy) Gabriel was descended to cast away the words of the selfish aristocrats who see their own respect in humiliating others and wanted the Prophet (PBUH) to avoid the slaves of yesterday so they themselves could have the advantage of a high position in the eyes of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This news made Bilal overwhelming by great happiness and joy, (6) his soul was pacified by peace and security and he became so close to the Prophet that his knees could be clearly seen beside Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in gatherings. Then God advised His messenger to have greater tolerance and cooperation towards monotheist and God-loving, and indigent people. As we read in Qur’an:
And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect. 18:28- (7)
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Footnotes:
1. Bilal, a spokesman for the movement of the Prophet (PBUH), Abdul Hamid Judat al-Sahar, translated by Ali Montazemi, pages 4 and 3.
2. Kashkul of Sheikh Bahai, Azizullah Kaseb, page 252.
3. Comments attributed to Imam Askari (AS), page 462; Elal al-Sharaye, page 461.
4. Edat \ul-Daei, page. 21, Al-Mahjat ul-Bayza, page 310.
5.Qur’an al-Hujurat, 13; O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. (Pls. be referred to: Tafsir al-Mizan, page 325; Atib ul-Bayan, page 231; Al-Borhan, page 210; Nemuneh (sample), page 169; Tafsir (interpretation) al-Qalami, page 179).
6. Qur’an al- An’am, 52; And do not send away those who call upon their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His countenance. Not upon you is anything of their account and not upon them is anything of your account. So were you to send them away, you would [then] be of the wrongdoers... (Pls. be referred to: Tafsir al-Mizan, page 99; Bayan al-Sa’adah, page 132. Ruh al-Ma’any, page 158).
7. Qur’an al-Kahf, 28.
Other links:
Martyrdom of Ammar Ibn Yasir: part 1
Martyrdom of Ammar Ibn Yasir: part 2
Martyrdom of Ammar Ibn Yasir: part 3
Who is Mukhtar Thaqafi: part 1
Who is Mukhtar Thaqafi: part 2
