the slightest. It is due to this true love that Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ attained such a high rank, status and honour in this world and the hereafter that one is left amazed at his fortunate.

It was due to the greatness of his love that his desire for meeting the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would keep him restless even in the most trying of situations. To such an extent that even at the time when his soul was leaving his body, Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was joyous at the prospect of meeting the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Let us revive the love of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم within our hearts by listening to one such account of Sayyiduna Bilal’s رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ devotion to the Prophet.

Joy of meeting the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

When the soul of Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ began to leave his body during his final illness, his wife became restless and said: ‘وَاحُزنَاهُ’ i.e. O my calamity! So, Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ opened his eyes and in a state of jubilation said: ‘وَاطَرَبَاهُ’ i.e. O my happiness! The final words that he رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said were: غَدًانَلْقَی الْاَحِبَّةَ مُحَمَّدًا وَّ حِزْبَهُ i.e. Tomorrow, we shall meet our friends Muhammad
صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and his companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُم. (Ihya-ul-Uloom, Kitab Zikr-ul-Maut, vol. 5, p. 231)

O devotees of Sayyiduna Bilal! You just heard of the great level of devotion of the true and sincere devotee, Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, towards the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ welcomed death with a smile and open arms because he رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was to meet the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم after his death and he was due to meet the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and his companions رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُم in Paradise.

Through his conduct, Sayyiduna Bilal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ proved and taught us that devotion to the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is the first prerequisite of Islam. Whether in travel or not, whether during his lifetime or at the time of death, in short, in every place and every situation, he رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ made the love for the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم the objective of his life and engrossed himself in the love of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. This is the reason