about the steadfastness he showed in his belief and the love for the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّمthat he displayed. Let’s first of all listen to an account of Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. 

The Freeing of Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ

Sayyiduna ‘Urwah Bin Zubair رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ narrates the following from his father: ‘One day, Waraqah Bin Nawfal (who was the paternal cousin of Sayyidatuna Khadijah رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا) passed by Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ while he was being beaten [due to having accepted Islam]. Even in this state, he was saying ‘اَحَدۡ, اَحَدۡ, meaning ‘Allah is one, Allah is one.’ Waraqah Bin Nawfal saw this and said, ‘Bilal, continue to mention the name of Allah Almighty.’ He then addressed Umayyah Bin Khalaf, the individual beating Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, and said, ‘I swear by Allah, if you martyr him because of this, I will make his shrine to attain mercy and blessings.’

One day, when the leader of the believers, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ passed by Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, those people were treating him in the same manner. The leader of the believers, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ addressed Umayyah Bin Khalaf and said, ‘Do you not fear Allah Almighty regarding the matter of this poor individual? How long will you continue to torture him for?’ Umayyah responded, ‘You have spoilt him. Save him from this pain that you observe.’ Hence, the leader of the believers, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said, ‘I have slaves who are healthier and stronger than Bilal. Give me Bilal and take them.’ He responded, ‘I accept.’ As a result, the leader of the believers, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ gave Umayyah his slave, took Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ and set him free.’ (Hilya-tul-Awliya, Bilal Bin Rabah, vol. 1, p. 199, Raqm 486; Faizan-e-Siddiq-e-Akbar, p. 118)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

O devotees of the companions, you just heard of the difficulties that Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ experienced in the way of Allah. Despite this, he رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ did not succumb to falsehood. He was prepared to lose his life if he had to, but he was not willing to forsake Islam and lower his head before