1. Bilal Ibn Rabah (RA) was kept as slave
An Abyssinian, Bilal (RA) was kept as slave in Makkah. He (RA) was a slave of Ummayah bin Khalaf.
2 His master was a virulent enemy of Islam
Ummayah couldn’t tolerate the fact that Islam was being spread. Yet, Bilal (RA) his Ethiopian slave, converted into a Muslim.
Ummayah bin Khalaf was planning either to kill Him or to make him change his religion. But believe of Bilal (RA) on Allah didn’t let him fear from His master. He got succeeded in his plannings and sent Him for a punishment.
3. The inhuman punishment
In the Arabian Desert, Bilal (RA) was laid under the sparkling sun on the hot sand. Then, heavyweight hot rocks were placed on his body to make the situation worse.
He was burning due to the hot sand from the back of His body whereas, the upper body was burnt by the hot pieces of rocks. Also, He wasn’t able to move due to the weight of rocks.
4. The nights of lashes:
His believe made His master angrier. Bin Khalaf started lashing Him every night. He was tortured alternatively by Ummayah bin Khalaf and Abu Jahl.
5. Abu Bakr (RA)
Bilal (RA)’s punishment ended and He started living a free life as Abu Bakr (RA) bought him from Ummayah.
6. Bilal RA was the first Muezzin of Islam
Allah Almighty rewarded Him for His patience and He was made the Muazzin for the Mosque of Prophet (PBUH).
7. The death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
After the death of Prophet (PBUH), Bilal (RA) wasn’t able to continue living in Madinah. He left Madina but returned after few days when He saw Prophet (PBUH) in a Dream demanding Him to pay a visit.
8. The request of Hasan and Hussain (RA):
When Bilal (RA) moved back in Madina, Hussain and Hasan (RA) requested Him to give Azan. After few years, Bilal (RA) finally left Madinah forever.
He died in Damascus in 20 AH. His tomb is located in Bab al Saghir, a graveyard in Damascus.
German Islamic scholar and Head of the “Cultur-Cooperation International e.V.” organization Kathleen Göbel, shared her impressions regarding her participation in the First International Forum of Islamic Civilization, reports Dunyo IA.
According to the scholar, this prestigious conference, which brought together leading scientists, experts, and public figures from 50 countries around the world, became a platform for mutual respect, open dialogue and solidarity among representatives of various states and academic schools.
German expert highly commended Uzbekistan's rich scientific and educational heritage, specifically recognizing the profound contributions made by great scholars such as Imam al-Bukhari, Imam at-Tirmidhi and Imam Maturidi to world civilization.
In particular, she was deeply impressed by the immense construction and development work carried out at the Imam al-Bukhari Complex, as well as the implementation of a contemporary museum featuring artificial intelligence technologies.
Kathleen Göbel placed special emphasis on the significance of the noble concept put forward by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev: “Enlightenment against ignorance”.
In her view, Center of Islamic Civilization constructed in Tashkent is a unique platform accessible not only at the national level but also to the entire region and the international community - serving to counter Islamophobia and hostility through the power of knowledge and enlightenment.