O devotees of Sayyiduna Bilal! You have heard about the devotion of Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ to Islam. He رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was even ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of Islam; this was the purpose of his life. He رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ demonstrated the level of devotion a Muslim should have for Islam and the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and left behind a great example for the Muslims that were to come. He رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ loved Allah Almighty and his Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم more than his own desires, wealth, means, children, relatives and even his own life. He رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ always fostered this love within his heart, and as a result of this, the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was pleased at his actions and praised him on many occasions, and even heard the sound of his footsteps in Paradise.

Sound of footsteps

On the night of Mi’raaj, the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم heard the sound of someone’s footsteps in Paradise and was told that they were the footsteps of Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. (Mishkat-ul-Masabih, vol. 2, p. 418, Hadees 6037 selected)

سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه! May we be sacrificed upon the greatness of Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ! The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم heard the sound of the footsteps of his devotee in Paradise. What was the reason for him achieving this rank and status? Let us hear the reason:

Action that led to Paradise

Sayyiduna Buraydah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ states: The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم woke up one day and said to Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, ‘O Bilal! What led you to Paradise before me? When I entered Paradise last night, I heard the sound of your footsteps ahead of me.’ Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said, ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! (After making Wudu) I always offer two units of Nafl Salah and give the Azaan, and when my Wudu breaks, I perform it again straight away.’ The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘This is the reason why.’ (Tirmizi, Kitab-ul-Manaqib, vol. 5, p. 385, Hadees 3709 selected)

O devotees of the companions! You heard of the passion of Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ for offering Nafl Salah. On the other hand, if we were to look