Imam al-A’zam Abu Hanifa’s (Alaihir raHma) full name was Nuʿmān ibn Thābit ibn Zuṭā ibn Marzubān. He was born in Kufa in Iraq in 80 A.H. He belonged to the pious period of the Taabi’ins (Successors of the Sahabas).

DIVINE MISSION

It is stated in a Hadith Shareef which Imam al-Harizmi reported from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhumA) that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Among my Ummah, there will come a man called Abu Hanifa. On the Day of Resurrection, he will be the light of my Ummah.” Another Hadith Shareef states: “In every century, a number of my Ummah will attain to high grades. Abu Hanifa will be the highest of his time.” These two Ahadith are recorded in “Durr al-Mukhtar.”

EARLY LIFE

While still in his youth, he met great Sahaba like Sayyiduna Anas bin Maalik, Sayyiduna Sahl bin Saad and Sayyiduna Abul Tufail Amir bin Wathilah (radi Allahu Anhumul Ajma’een). Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) was first brought up as a trader, but soon started taking deep interest in Islamic learning.

EDUCATION

He attended the lectures of Sayyiduna Hammad Basri (radi Allah anhu) in Fiqh and then began to study the Hadith. He learnt under great scholars in Kufa. In Basrah he studied under two great Taabi’ie scholars who had learnt Hadith under the Sahaba. In Makkatul Mukarammah and Madinatul Munawwarah, he learnt under Sayyiduna Ata bin Abi Rabah and Sayyiduna Ikramah (radi Allahu Anhuma). In fact, Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) had numerous teachers. Some historians say that he learnt Hadith from about 4000 scholars. Some of his famous teachers were:

Sayyiduna Imam Baaqir
Sayyiduna Imam Jafer Saadiq
Sayyiduna Ali
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar
Sayyiduna Aqabah bin Umar
Sayyiduna Safwaan
Sayyiduna Jabir
Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah and etc. (Radi Allahu Anhum Ajma’een).

AS A TEACHER

When his teacher, Sayyiduna Hammad Basri (Alaihir raHma) passed away, Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) was 40 years old and he began teaching. He became very famous and travelled many places. Students from all over the Muslim world came to him to listen to his lectures, interviews and debates. Imam Maalik (Alaihir raHma) also learnt under him. When he was 56 years old, Caliph Mansur came to power after the Ummayad dynasty was overthrown by the Abbasids in 132 A.H. Since Imam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) opposed the Caliph’s ruthless killing of the Ahle Bait, he was arrested. The Caliph offered the Imam the post of a Qaadi (Judge), but he refused. The Caliph Mansur had him beaten with a stick 30 strokes. His feet bled. Caliph Mansur repented and offered Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) 30000 pieces of silver. The great Imam refused once more. He was imprisoned again and thrashed 10 more strokes every day.

PASSES AWAY

Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) passed away while in Salaah. He had been poisoned by the orders of Caliph Mansur. His Janaza Salaah was performed six times and each time 50 000 people took part. People continued to come and pray for him for 20 days after he was buried. He was 70 years old. In 459 A.H. a Mazaar (Tomb) was built for him by the Seljuki ruler Alp Arsalan. He lies buried in a Tomb situated near Baghdad in Iraq.

STUDENTS

Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) left behind about 980 students. The most famous among them being:

a. Sayyiduna Qadi Abu Yusuf (Alaihir raHma)
b. Sayyiduna Imam Muhammed (Alaihir raHma)
c. Sayyiduna Imam Zufur (Alaihir raHma)

PERSONALITY

Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) earned his living by trading. Every Friday, he distributed 20 gold coins to the poor for his parents soul. For 40 years Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) performed the Fajr Salaah with the Wudu that he made for the Esha Salaah (ie. he did not sleep after the night prayer). He performed Hajj 55 times. He used to recite the entire Holy Quran once every day and once every night. Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) had so much of Taqwa (Piety) that for 30 years he fasted every day (except for the 5 forbidden days). He often read the Holy Quran in one rakaah or two. He did not accept any presents from anyone. He wore clothes like those of the poor. Imam A’zam Abu Hanifa (Alaihir raHma) once said: “I laughed once in my life and I regret it.” He talked little and thought much. It is said that at the place where his soul was taken, he read the Holy Quran 7000 times.

GREATNESS OF IMAM ABU HANIFA

Yahya ibn Sa`id al-Qattan said:

“We have not heard better than Abu Hanifa’s opinion and we have followed most of his positions.”

 Yahya ibn Ma`in, he said of Abu Hanifa that

“He is not only thiqa (trustworthy) but thiqa thiqa. Al- Dhahabi even calls Ibn Ma`in a fanatic Hanafi.”

Al-Fadl ibn Dukayn, one of the major authorities of Ahl al-Hadith. He said:

“Muslims should make du`a to Allah on behalf of Abu Hanifa in their prayers, because the Sunan and the fiqh were preserved for them through him.”

Waki` ibn al-Jarrah, he replied to some of them:

“You barred us from Abu Hanifa, are you going to bar us from Zufar??” (Zufar took over the teaching of Hanafi Fiqh in Kufa and Basra after the Imam.)

Abu Mu`awiya al-Darir, he said:

“Love of Abu Hanifa is part of the Sunnah”.

Ibn Dawud al-Khuraybi:

“Among the people there are plenty of enviers and ignorant ones concerning Abu Hanifa.”

Bishr al-Hafi, he said:

“None criticizes Abu Hanifa except an envier or an ignoramus”.

 Ibn al-Mubarak. When al-Awza`i criticized Abu Hanifa, Ibn al-Mubarak copied a compilation of Abu Hanifa’s fiqh under the name al-Nu`man. Al- Awza`i read it without interruption except for Salat al-Fard. Then he said:

“This Nu`man is a grand master (hadha nabilun min al-ashyakh). Go to him and take as much as you can from him!” Ibn al-Mubarak said: “This is the Abu Hanifa you had forbidden me to see.” (Tarikh al-Baghdad)

Ibn al-Mubarak considered one’s hatred of Abu Hanifa a mark of Divine wrath.

He also said:

“If Allah had not rescued me with Abu Hanifa and Sufyan [al-Thawri] I would have been like the rest of the common people.” Al-Dhahabi relates it as: “I would have been an innovator.”

Ibn `A’isha mentioned a fatwa of Abu Hanifa then said:

“Truly, if you had seen him you would have wanted him ! Truly, his similitude and yours is as in the saying:

Curse them much or not, I care little to blame you;
But fill – if you can! – the space they left vacant.”

GOLDEN WORDS OF WISDOM:

• Knowledge without deeds is like a body without a soul. As long as knowledge does not embrace the existence of action it will not be enough not agreeable nor sincere.
• Difficulties are the result of sin. The sinful therefore does not have the right to lament when difficulties befall him.
• To reduce the connection of the World means that a person takes that which is essential from the World and leaves that which is non essential.
• That person who seeks knowledge to attain the World finds that knowledge has no place in his heart.
• That person whose knowledge does not prevent him from committing sin and transgressions then who is that person who has suffered or incurred a greater loss than him.
• For the attainment of knowledge satisfaction is useful and satisfaction is not gained by increasing information but by decreasing it.

Sayyid al-Mu’azzineen (Leader of the Mu’azzins), Imam al-Aashiqeen, The great devotee, faithful companion and Mu’azzin of the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, Hadrat Sayyiduna Bilal al-Habashi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu is a famous and exalted Sahabi who accepted Islam in its early days in Makkah al-Mukarramah. When he accepted Islam, the non-believers placed great difficulties upon him which he bore with great forbearance in his youth. His father’s name was Rabah and his mother’s name was Hamamah.

His birth place is Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and this is why he is known as Habshi (the old name for Abyssinia is Habsh). Born in the late 6th century, the preferred view is that Bilal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu was 43 years old at the time of Hijra but it has been suggested by some that he could have been as old as 53.

He was either a slave of a woman in Makkah who had made Umayyah bin Khalaf her agent in the matters of Hadrat Bilaal or Umayya Ibn Khalaf himself when he accepted Islam. The Kaafirs of Makkah persecuted him severely. When Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu came to know about the pain and anguish which he underwent at the hands of the Kuffaar, he bought him and set him free. One of the many emancipated slaves of Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu, Bilal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu was known for his beautiful voice and was given the honour by the Holy Prophet Muhammad SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam of being the first Mu’azzin of Islam. He remained constantly in the company of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. He was at the service of the needs of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Muhaddith Hakim and Hafidh Abu Nu’aym also regarded him as one of the Ashaab of al-Suffah.

After he had accepted Islam, he participated with beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam in the battle of Badr and in all other battles. He called the Adhaan and he was the Mu’azzin of Masjid al-Nabawi as long as he remained with beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. His greatness and excellence is mentioned in numerous books of Ahadith.

VIRTUE

One day at the time of Fajr, beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam asked Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu, ‘O Bilaal, Show me one action that you have done after accepting Islam, whose virtue is above all other actions, because I have heard your footsteps in Jannah’. Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu explains that I have not done any action whose virtue is more than the others. But it is true, that during the day or night, whenever I made Wudhu, I made it my duty to read some Nafl Salaah, and from amongst the Salaah I read, I verily read Tahiyyatul Wudhu (Salaat after Wudhu)” when beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam heard this, he said that it was because of this action that he had attained such status.

Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu used to mention

أبو بكر سيدنا وأعتق سيدنا
Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu is our leader who freed our leader Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala.

In ‘Hilyat al-Awliyaa’, beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam mentions that he is Sayyid al-Mu’azzineen (leader of the Mu’azzins).

ENDURANCE OF DIFFICULTY ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM

Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu was harassed and beaten the day long and during the night. He was tied in chains and lashed. On the next day, he was again made to lie on the hot desert sands which cause even greater injuries to the body of Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu, who was loved by Allah Ta’ala.

Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu used to be beaten by many people. When one would get tired, another would take his place. Sometimes it was Abu Jhal’s turn and sometimes Umayyah bin Khalaf and others. Each of them would beat him until they got tired but no mercy was spared for the slave whom they so brutally injured and whose status in Jannah was to surpass that of many Arabs.

In the sweltering heat under the Arabian skies, Hadrat Bilal’s love for Allah shone brighter than the sun itself. So strong was it that he could not conceal it despite the punishment and torture afflicted on him by his cruel master.

There were times when a large boulder would be placed upon his chest as he lay on the scorching sand, his ribs being crushed under the weight. Yet the words ‘Ahad! Ahad! (There is only one Allah!)’ were constantly repeated by Hadrat Bilal, so strong was his faith and love.

His Jewish master would insult him and threaten him to denounce Islam, beat him, whip him and humiliate him on the streets of Makkah, but nothing was able to shake Hadrat Bilal’s heart.

FREEDOM

One day, it so happened that Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu was passing that way and saw Sayyidina Hadrat Bilal crying out, “Ahad! Ahad!”, despite the immense torture he was being subjected to. As he watched, Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique’s heart became agitated upon seeing Hadrat Bilal under such persecution, and tears filled his eyes.

He then called Hadrat Bilal towards himself and advised him to utter Allah’s name in solitude and not to utter it in the presence of his persecutor, or he would be subjected to further persecution and torture. Hadrat Bilal replied, “O Honoured One! You are the Siddique of Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, and therefore I accept your advice and will act accordingly.”

The following day, Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu happened to pass that way, and again he witnessed the same sight.

Hadrat Bilal was once more uttering the cry of “Ahad! Ahad!” while the Jew was torturing him to such an extent that again his body became soaked in blood. Seeing this, Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique’s heart was filled with pain and he advised Hadrat Bilal, “Brother, why do you utter ‘Ahad’ in the presence of this persecutor? Utter it silently and secretly within yourself”.

Hadrat Mawlana Rumi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu says:

“When Abu Bakr advised him towards silence and secrecy,
Bilal repented again,
But when love overwhelmed, he swallowed the repentance.
It is the message of the troubled heart.
Without You there can be neither peace nor comfort.”

Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique, on numerous occasions, gave Hadrat Bilal the same advice but on every occasion when he passed that way, he saw the same scene – the Jew persecuting Bilal who was all the time crying, “Ahad! Ahad!”

Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu finally went to Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and related the story to him. When Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam heard the story, he was filled with sorrow and tears flowed from his blessed eyes. He asked, “O Siddique! What is the solution to this problem? How can we save Bilal from this calamity?”

Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu replied: “Ya Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, I shall buy Bilal. Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam agreed and said, “Let my share also be therein”.

SubhanAllah! How great the fortune of Sayidina Hadrat Bilal, that Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam himself took part in purchasing him.

Hadrat Abu Bakr then approached the Jew while he was again torturing Hadrat Bilal. Hadrat Abu Bakr said to him, “Why are you beating this friend of Allah?” How long will you carry out this practice on this poor person?” Umayyah bin Khalaf retorted that, ‘since you have instigated him (by teaching Islam to him) so you free him.” Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu answered, “Yes, I will free him. I have a black slave who is even stronger than him and who is in your religion. Will you accept this slave in exchange for him?” Umayyah bin Khalaf accepted the offer. Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu exchanged the slaves and thus bought Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu and freed him before migration. It is also narrated that Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique paid the ransom and freed Hadrat Bilal. Besides Bilal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu he bought other slaves who were being beaten and harassed for accepting Islam and freed them also.

After this, Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, out of love and joy, embraced Hadrat Bilal and held him to his heart.

Hadrat Mawlana Rumi Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu says:

“Beloved Mustafa embraced Bilal and held him against his chest. The ecstasy Bilal felt! Who can ever imagine that?”

CONQUEST OF MAKKAH

When the Muslims finally conquered the city of Makkah, its people fled to their houses in fear and bolted the doors and windows. They feared that the Muslims would avenge themselves for the wrong done to them years ago.

The Muslims advanced towards the Holy Kabah and then Hadrat Bilal assured the people that they were safe. He announced out loud, “All those who lay down arms are safe. All those in the house of Abu Sufyan are safe. All those behind closed doors are safe.”

BROTHERHOOD

After the migration Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam formed brotherhood between the Sahaaba Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhum Ajma’een which meant that two two brothers should be concerned about each other’s difficulty and necessity. In this way all of them became Muslim brothers and they shared in the sorrow and grief of each other. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam made Hadrat Bilaal and Hadrat Ubaida bin Haarith (Radi Allahu Anhuma) brothers and a few Historians mention that beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam made Hadrat Abu Rawahah Khashami Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu the brother of Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu.

PARTICIPATION IN THE BATTLE OF BADR AND THE KILLING OF UMAYYA BIN KHALAF

A year after beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and his beloved Sahaaba Radi Allahu Anhum Ajma’een migrated from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah, the battle of Badr took place. Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu also participated in this battle with the other Sahaaba Radi Allahu Anhum Ajma’een. The leaders of the Mushrikeen of Makkah (who were the enemies of Islam and the Muslims – who forced the Muslims out of Makkah, who also oppressed Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) were killed in this battle. Specially, Abu Jahl and Umayyah bin Khalaf who severely punished Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu were both killed in this battle.

THE BEGINNING OF ADHAAN AND THE APPOINTMENT OF HADRAT BILAAL RADI ALLAHU TA’ALA ANHU AS MU’AZZIN

In the second year after Hijrah, the announcing of the time of Salaat began and Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu was appointed Mu’azzin and always remained the Mu’azzin of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam both in his presence and also during travel.

Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu stayed with beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam In Madinah Munawwarah, he was the Mu’azzin and even while travelling, he went with beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, and at the time of Salaah he used to give Adhaan. Very seldom beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam went somewhere and someone other than Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu called the Adhaan. Whenever beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam went to Masjid al-Qubaa, then Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu would give the Adhaan and when hearing him, the people living around the area knew that beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam was in the area.

Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu used to give the Fajr Adhaan from the roof of the house of a lady from the tribe of Banu Najjaar. Her home was joined to the Masjid. From the time of Sehri he used to sit on the roof waiting for the time of Fajr. When it was time to commence the Adhaan then he should stretch his limbs, and make the following Du’a after which he gave the Adhaan.

اللهم إنى أحمدك وأستعينك على قريش أن يقيموا دينك
‘Oh Allah I praise you, and I desire that You become aid to the Quraysh to establish Your Deen’

The woman from whose roof he gave the Adhaan said that there was not a day that he did not mention this Du’a. [Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol. 2, Page 198, Hadith 519]

TREASURER OF BELOVED PROPHET SALLALLAHO ALAIHI WA SALLAM

Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu was the Muazzin of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and his treasurer. If anyone came to beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam with any necessity then he used to ask Hadrat Bilaal to carry out this task who would then make sure to get the necessary item and fulfill the need on behalf of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam

Hadrat Bilal mentioned it to Abdullah Al-Hawzaani that if some Muslims came who did not have anything to wear, then Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam should order me to take a loan and purchase a cloth to clothe the needy.

Whilst doing this once Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu accumulated a heap of dates. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam asked Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu what is this? Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu answered I have accumulated this for you and your visitors. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said, ‘Oh Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu, spend it and do not fear it becoming less’

ENDURANCE OF HUNGER

Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu was the special companion of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. It is for this reason he also endured difficulties. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said that undoubtedly, the fear he had for Allah was greater than anyone else. On one occasion thirty nights and days passed with him and Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu having had only that amount to eat which could be concealed under the armpits (side) of Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu.

COMPANIONSHIP WITH BELOVED PROPHET SALLALLAHO ALAIHI WA SALLAM

Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu was always present in the company of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Hadrat Jaabir Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu mentions that at the time of Eid, he was present with beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam started the Salaah without the Adhaan and Iqaamat and thereafter gave the Khutbah. Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu stood up and stood side by side with beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam while beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam stood up resting on him and after praising Allah, beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam delivered a lecture and reminded the people about the commands of Allah and encouraged the people to be obedient to Allah Ta’aala. Thereafter, he took Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu with him and addressed the women and ordered them to fear Allah and advised them and reminded them about the commands of Allah.

At one time Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu presented himself in the company of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam It was morning and beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam was having meals. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam told Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu to join him. Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu mentioned to beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam that he was fasting. Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam remarked, ‘We are eating our sustenance and the sustenance of Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu is preserved in Jannah.” Then he told Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu that the bones of a fasting person make Tasbeeh and the Angels request his forgiveness when something is eaten near him.” [Mishkat al-Masabih]

HEARTBREAK & IMMENSE GRIEF

After the passing away of Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, Hadrat Bilal was overcome with immense grief. This death had completely shattered his heart and in this state, he decided that he could no longer stay in Madinah Sharif. He then gathered his belongings and left for Syria. He had just left the border of Madinah Sharif, when sleep overcame him. He found a tree to sleep under and took some rest there. In his sleep, Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam appeared in his dream and said, “Bilal, why did you leave me?” Hadrat Bilal immediately woke up and, without hesitation, made the journey back to Madinah Sharif.

When the people of Madinah saw Hadrat Bilal returning through the city gates, they were overwhelmed with joy. Word spread through the streets that Bilal, the Holy Prophet’s Muazzin had returned. As Hadrat Bilal made his way to the Holy Prophet’s Masjid, requests for him to do the Azan were ringing in his ears. People followed him through the streets, pleading for him to deliver the call to prayer once more. The blessed city had been deprived of his beautiful Azan for too long, and the people craved to hear it one last time.

However, since the passing away of Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, Hadrat Bilal’s grief had been so immense that he resolved that he would never do the Azan again, and so he refused the pleas of the people. As he advanced towards the blessed Masjid, he saw the two beloved grandsons of Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, Hadrat Hassan and Hussain. They too requested for him to do the Azan, and when he looked upon their blessed young faces, his love for them overwhelmed his heart. He knew he could never refuse them anything, and they were, after all, the grandsons of the one whose love had penetrated his heart through and through.

Hadrat Bilal then stood up on the Mimbar, assumed his position as the Muazzin and started to read the Azan. His voice, beautiful as it was, rang through the streets of Madinah Sharif, his pain and heartbreak evident in the painful tune. He read to his heart’s content, and in such a manner that there was not a person in the blessed city whose eyes were not wet with tears.

When Hadrat Bilal reached “Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur Rasulallah”, he broke down and could not continue. His pain and the pain of Madinah’s people was unbearable. Memories of the beautiful days when Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam sat amongst them penetrated their hearts with hurt and agony. The emptiness of their lives and their souls without Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam had devastated them and left them broken inside. Even the strongest amongst them who were usually able to suppress the pain could not hold back any longer.

STAY IN SYRIA

Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu then came in the presence of Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu and said, ‘Oh Khalifah of Rasoolullah, without doubt I have heard from beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam that the best action of a Mu’min is Jihaad in the path of Allah and I have intended now to spend my life in Jihaad till I die.” Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu said, ‘Oh Bilaal! I swear by Allah and my right which is deserving to honored (it is for this reason) that during my lifespan you spend it in Madinah al-Munawwara and give Adhaan. Because I have become old and my time is near (death).” Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu then remained in Madinah Munawwarah. [Asad al-Ghabbah]

After Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu, Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu became Khalifah, then Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu came to him and said the same thing again. Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu gave the same answer which Hadrat Abu Bakr Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu had given, but Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu respectfully refused to stay any longer. Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu granted permission to him. Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu became a Mujaahid forever and went to Syria. During the Khilaafat of Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu when he went to Syria, then Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu gave Adhaan in his presence. The narrator says that on this day, Hadrat Umar Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu thinking of the days of beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam cried to such an extent which we never saw before.

MARRIAGE

While in Syria, Hadrat Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu got married but it is not known whether he had any children or not. The author of Asad al-Ghabbah states that at the time of death, Bilaal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu had no children.

PASSING AWAY OF THE PROPHET’S MU’AZZIN

The great devotee and Muazzin of Rasulallah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, the courageous and beloved Abyssinian by the name of Hadrat Bilal Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu passed away in the 20th year after Hijrah in the middle of reading Adhan in Damascus, Syria between the years 638 and 642 (AD) at the age of 60 or 63 and there he is buried near ‘Bab as-Sagheer’. When beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam proclaimed Prophethood, he was 30 years old. He spent the remaining 33 years of his life in the assistance of this Deen, persecuted severely for admitting his Islam and despite this, he continued to announce boldly, ‘Ahad, the One Allah!’. He participated in the battles and endured both hunger and pain. He was not only a Mu’azzin, but was granted the status of being the leader of the Mu’azzins.

His respected stature during the birth of Islam is a perfect example of the importance of pluralism and racial equality in the foundations of Islam. May Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala be pleased with him forever… Aameen!!

Sayyidah Juwairiyah bint Harith, may Allah be pleased with her, was a very charming, sweet and very beautiful lady. All who saw Sayyidah Juwairiyah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha) were stunned by her exceptional beauty. Brought up as she had been in one of the foremost families of the time, she was not only beautiful but graceful, elegant and eloquent. Anyone who saw her could not help being captivated by her charm and pleasant demeanour. Her father was Harith ibn Abi Dirar, who was the chief of the Banu Mustaliq. When Sayyidah Ayesha (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha) first saw Sayyidah Juwairiyah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha) she exclaimed that she was as beautiful as a fairy.

She married the beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) in Sha’baan 5 A.H., when the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam was fifty-eight years old and she was twenty, not long after his marriage to Sayyidah Zainab bint Jahash. Before then she was married to Musaafi’ bin Safwaan who was not a Muslim and was killed in the very battle wherein she was captured.

Before her marriage to the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) her name was Barrah, but beloved Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam changed it to Juwairiyah. Sayyidah Zainab bint Jahash, Zainab bint Umm Salamah and Maimoonah bint Harith Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhunna were also named Barrah, but the beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam changed their names as well.

Marriage of Sayyidah Juwairiyah bint Harith (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha):

News reached the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) on Sha‘ban 2nd to the effect that the chief of Bani Al-Mustaliq, Al-Harith bin Dirar had mobilised his men, along with some Arabs, to attack Madinah al-Munawwarah. Buraidah bin al-Haseeb al-Aslami was immediately despatched to verify the reports. He had some words with Abi Dirar, who confirmed his intention of war. He later sent a reconnoiterer to explore the positions of the Muslims but he was captured and killed. The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) summoned his men and ordered them to prepare for war. Before leaving, Sayyiduna Zaid bin Harith was mandated to see to the affairs of Madinah al-Munawwarah and dispose them. On hearing the advent of the Muslims, the disbelievers got frightened and the Arabs who were with them defected and ran away for their lives. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu was entrusted with the banner of the Emigrants, and that of the Helpers went to Sa‘d bin ‘Ubada. The two armies were stationed at a well called Muraisi. Arrow shooting went on for an hour, and then the Muslims rushed and engaged with the enemy in a battle that ended in full victory for the Muslims. Some men were killed, women and children of the disbelievers taken as captives, and a lot of booty fell to the lot of the Muslims. Only one Muslim was martyr by mistake by a Helper. Amongst the captives was Sayyidah Juwairiyah, daughter of Al-Harith, chief of the disbelievers.

It is written that after this battle the prisoners were distributed among the soldiers, and Juwairiyah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha) fell to the lot of Thaabit bin Qais (or his cousin, according to some reports). Her father took along a number of camels as ransom for his daughter, hoping to buy her freedom. As he was on his way to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam), he decided to keep back two camels that he liked. So he hide the two camels in a valley just outside Madina Munawwarah and continued with the rest. When he arrived in the presence of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) he presented the camels and asked that these be accepted in lieu of his daughter’s freedom. The Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) asked him: “And what about the two camels you hid in the valley?!?!” Haarith was totally flabbergasted. Immediately he uttered the Shahaadha and entered Islam, admitting that none besides Allah could have given information to the Messenger about these camels.

Meanwhile, Sayyidah Juwairiayh had made an agreement with her new master Thaabit to pay for her freedom. This was the famous Mukaatabat Contract in Islam in terms of which slaves could work and buy their freedom for a fixed sum of money. However, Juwairyah had no intention of working for her freedom. She had a better idea. She asked to see Rasoolullah (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam).

In fact, she demanded to see the Prophet Muhammad, with the intention of asking him to help her with the ransom money. At that time The Messenger of Allah was in the house of Sayyidah Ayesha (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha). She was permitted to see the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) and was taken to him while he was with Sayyidah A’isha. After she had finished speaking, the Prophet thought for a moment, and then said, “Shall I tell you what would be better than this?”  She said, “And what is that Our Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “I pay your freedom money, and you marry me.”

Moved deeply by this unexpected elevation in her status, she exclaimed she would be more than happy to accept. She was freed, and swearing allegiance to Islam, she married the beloved Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam). Although Juwairiyah was young and beautiful and of noble lineage, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was thinking of how to save her and all her tribe from an ignoble fate. By marrying Sayyidah Juwairiyah, the Banu Mustaliq would be able to enter Islam with honor, and with the humiliation of their recent defeat removed, so that it would no longer be felt necessary by them to embark on a war of vengeance that would have continued until one of the two parties had been annihilated. As soon as the marriage was announced, all the booty that had been taken from the Banu Mustaliq was returned, and all the captives were set free, for they were now the in laws of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). This is when Sayyidah A’isha said of Sayyidah Juwairiyah, “I know of no woman who was more of a blessing to her people than Juwairiyah bint al-Harith.”

Virtues of Sayyidah Juwairiyah (Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anha):

Most of the time she would be found engrossed in prayer. It has been related by Juwairiyah that early one morning the Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) left her room while she was doing the dawn prayer. He returned later that morning and she was still sitting in the same place. “have you been sitting in the same place since I left you?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied. Whereupon the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) said, “I recited four phrases three times after I left you, and if these were to be weighed against what you have been reciting since dawn, they would still outweigh them. They are:

سبحان الله وبحمده عدد خلقه ورضا نفسه وزنة عرشه ومداد كلماته
‘Glory be to Allah and Praise be to Him as much as the number of his creations, and His pleasure, and the weight of His Throne, and the ink of His words.’” [Sahih Muslim, Kitab Al-Dhikr, Hadith 6575]

Which reminds us of the following verse of the Holy Qur’an:

قل لو كان البحر مدادا لكلمات ربي لنفد البحر قبل ان تنفد كلمات ربي ولو جئنا بمثله مددا
“Proclaim, ‘If the sea became ink for the Words of my Lord, the sea would indeed be used up and the Words of my Lord would never – even if we bring another like it for help.’” [Surah al-Kahf, Verse 109]

Her Demise:

Sayyidah Juwairiyah was married to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for six years, and lived for another thirty-nine years after his demise. She passed away at the age of sixty-five in Safar in the year 50th after Hijrah during the caliphate of Sayyiduna Mu’awiyah bin Abi Sufyan. The governor of Al-Madinah, Marwan bin Hakam led the funeral prayer and she was buried in Jannat al-Baqi.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah’s (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam) marriage with Sayyidah Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha took place about fifteen years before the beginning of the Revelation, he being 25, and she was 40 years old. She was a rich widow and ran a large trade of her own. It was she who offered herself in marriage to the Holy Prophet Muhammad SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam who was associated with her in her trading ventures. From the time of her marriage with the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam till her death, over a period of twenty years, she gave her husband ease of circumstances, and deep love and devotion.

In spite of conspicuous difference in age, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah’s SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam love for Sayyidah Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha never wavered. When death parted her from the Beloved Nabi SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam after having shared with him for 28 years the toils and trials of life, especially the first ten years of his Ministry of Prophethood, he deeply mourned her death. Once Sayyidah Ayesha Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha asked him if she had been the only woman worthy of his love. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam replied in an honest burst of tender emotion:

“She believed in me when none else did. She embraced Islam when people disbelieved me. And she helped and comforted me when there was none else to lend me a helping hand.”

In the heart of the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam grateful and affectionate remembrance of her remained fresh until the very end of his life. The Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam remained true and loyal to Sayyidah Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha until he was over 50 years old. This had been the case at a time when polygamy was normal among the Arabs. Moreover, since no male offspring of Sayyidah Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha survived, he had all the necessary justification to marry another woman considering that newborn daughters were customarily buried alive and male offspring alone regarded as rightful heirs.

Before Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam announced his Prophethood he had lived 17 years of married life, and thereafter eleven more years without ever thinking of marriage with another woman. He was kind to all her fellows and occasionally sent them gifts.

“Never was I jealous of any of the Prophet’s wives”, said Sayyidah Ayesha Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha, “but Khadija, although I never saw her. Her sweet memory never blurred in the Prophet’s SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam heart. Once I hurt his feelings on this issue and he replied gravely, ‘Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala has blessed me with her love.’”

Sayyiduna Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha bore the Beloved Habeeb SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam seven children, the first born was named Sayyiduna Qaasim Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho, after whom, according to Arab custom, the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam received the Kunya “Abul Qaasim” or “the father of Qaasim”. Then were born Sayyiduna Tayyab Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha and Sayyiduna Taahir Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anhum Ajmaa’een. All of them passed away in their infancy. Amongst the daughters Sayyidah Ruqayya Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha was the eldest, then came Sayyidah Zaynab Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha, Sayyidah Umm Kulthoom Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha and the last and best known of them was Sayyidah Faatima Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Ja’far Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha reported that he heard Sayyiduna Ali Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho saying in Kufa that Allah’s Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said:

“The best of the women of her time was Mariam Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha, daughter of Imran, and the best of the women of her time was Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha, daughter of Khuwailid. Abu Kuraib said that Waki’ pointed towards the sky and the earth. What this implies is that Mariam Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha and Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha were best in their respective times not only amongst the creatures of the earth, but of the heaven too.”

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha reported that Sayyiduna Jibra’eel Alaihis Salam came to Allah’s Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam and said:

“Allah’s Messenger! Khadija is coming to you with a vessel of seasoned food or drink. When she comes to you, offer her greetings from her Lord, the Exalted and Glorious, and on my behalf and give her glad tidings of a palace of jewels in Paradise wherein there is no noise and no toil”.

This Hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayra Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha through another chain of transmitters with a slight variation of wordings.

Sayyidah Ayesha Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha reported that Allah’s Apostle SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam gave glad tidings to Sayyidah Khadija bint Khuwailid Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha of a palace in Paradise. Sayyidah Ayesha Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha further reported:

“Never did I feel jealous of any woman, as I was jealous of Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha. She had died three years before the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam married me. I often heard him praise her, and his Lord, the Exalted and Gracious, had commanded him to give her the glad tidings of a palace of jewels in Paradise, and whenever he slaughtered a sheep he presented its meat to her female companions”.

In another Hadith, Sayyidah Ayesha Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha added:

“I annoyed him one day and said, ‘It is Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha only who always prevails upon your mind’. Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said, ‘Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala Himself had nurtured Her love in my heart.’”

Sayyidah Ayesha Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha reported that Allah’s Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam did not marry any other woman till Sayyidah Khadija’s Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha death. The point is why did Allah’s Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam not marry during the lifetime of Sayyidah Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha but, after her sad demise, he married several wives. The fact is that the Holy Prophet of Islam SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam married all his wives from the point of view of religious necessity.

At the age of twenty-five, he married Sayyidah Khadija Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha who was forty and she remained with him for the quarter of a century as a great source of strength and consolation to him. During this period the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam was busy in instilling in the minds of the people the fundamentals of faith, Oneness of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala, Apostlehood of Muhammad SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam, life after death. He did not feel the necessity of marrying another lady because it was only in the matter of faith and belief that he had to strive hard with mankind.

After his migration to Madinatul Munawwara when the Islamic society was established and the Muslims were required to conform their personal and social behaviour to the teaching of Islam, revelations for practical guidance in all walks of life came from Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta’ala. This had to be explained in various places and in different spheres by the life examples of the Holy Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. There was not one problem but numerous problems and most of them were social which needed solutions at every step. Thus, it was felt that a group of women should be trained in Islamic ideals and it was done through the wives of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam. It was not an ordinary work, but an important task of vast magnitude, which required the sweat, and labour of so many pious souls and these were the noble wives of the Holy Prophet of Islam SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam.