Not only did he have heartfelt empathy for the Muslims who were being persecuted, he would also strive to relieve them of their hardships. And if this meant spending money, then he would not hesitate to do that too. Let us listen to an amazing story regarding this.

The freedom of Sayyidunā Bilāl رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ

The Companion, Sayyiduna Bilāl Ḥabshi رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, was a sincere believer and pure-hearted servant. His master, Umayyah bin Khalaf, would make him lay on scorching sand in the intense heat outside of Makkah, then place a large boulder on his chest and say, “Reject (the religion of) Muhammad (صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم) and worship our gods, otherwise you will die like this.” Sayyidunā Bilāl Ḥabshi رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ would only reply by saying, “Aḥad! Aḥad!” (Meaning: Allah is One; He has no partners).^[1]

One day, Amīr al-Muʾminīn Sayyidunā Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ passed by as Sayyidunā Bilāl رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was being tortured. He reprimanded Umayyah bin Khalaf, saying, “Do you not fear Allah in torturing this poor man? How long will you do this for?” "Abu Bakr!”, he replied, “It is you who has ruined him (i.e., made him Muslim), so you should save him.”

Sayyidunā Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said, “I have servants that are stronger and healthier than Bilāl, so give Bilāl to me and take them.” Umayyah bin Khalaf accepted this. Sayyidunā Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ purchased Sayyidunā Bilāl رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ in exchange for a servant and some money. After this, he freed six more servants like this.^[2]

As per further narrations, Amīr al-Muʾminīn Sayyidunā Abū Bakr Ṣiddīq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ purchased Sayyidunā Bilāl رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ for five ūqiyyah (around 370 grams) of gold, whereupon the seller exclaimed, “Abū Bakr! If you had agreed to even one ūqiyyah of gold, I would still sell him.” He replied,