Bilāl was the Prophet’s (S) Caller of Adhān [ mu’adhdhin ].

Bilāl was the Prophet’s (S) Caller of Adhān [ mu’adhdhin ]. That is why after the Prophet’s (S) sad demise, he always held Imām ‘Alī ( ‘a ) in high esteem and never paid allegiance to any one else save ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib ( ‘a ). He said, “I will never pay allegiance to anyone who was not named or suggested by Allah’s Prophet (S).

Up to the day of resurrection, I will always owe my allegiance to only him who was introduced by Allah’s Prophet.” ‘Umar told him, “Then, you do not have any right to stay in these territories.” Upon hearing these words, Bilāl and a group of other people left Medina and went to Syria where he died in 20 AH. Bilāl was a prolific youth who patiently bore all the hardships that came his way but did not surrender his faith.

He endured all trials and resisted all oppression up to the last moments of his life. Bilāl was one of the Noble Prophet’s (S) loyal and faithful companions [ sahābah ] who participated in all the wars that Allah’s Prophet (S) fought.[^2] [^1]: Habashah is the ancient name of Ethiopia. Anyone who originates from Ethiopia is called Habashī, like Bilāl Habashī [Bilāl, the Ethiopian]. [trans.] [^2]: Al-Isābah, vol. 1, p. 165; A‘yān al-Shī‘ah, vol. 3, p 601; Ibn Sa‘d, Tabaqāt, vol. 3, p.

174; Sifat al-Safwah, vol. 1, p. 171. Hilyat al-Awliyā’, vol. 1, p. 147; Tārīkh al-Khamīs, vol. 2, p. 245; Al-Sahīh min Sīrat al-Nabī al-A‘zam, vol. 2, p. 34; Tārīkh Ya‘qūbī, vol. 2, p. 42; Ibn Kathīr, Al-Sīrat al-Nabawiyyah, vol. 2, p. 336; Hayāt al-Sahābah, vol. 2, p. 132; Ibn Hishām, Al-Sīrat al-Nabawiyyah, vol. 1, p. 339; Usd al-Ghābah, vol. 1, p. 206; Safīnah al-Bihār, vol. 1, p. 104; Bihār al-Anwār, vol. 22, p. 264; Wafā’ al-Wafā, vol. 2, p.