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.
As part of the “Week of Tolerance”, which encompasses various events aimed at strengthening interethnic and interfaith friendship, harmony, and solidarity across our country, a photo exhibition entitled “Uzbekistan – The Land of Tolerance” was held at the Tashkent House of Photography.
The event was attended by representatives and staff of the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Ties with Foreign Countries, the Committee on Religious Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, activists of national cultural centers and friendship societies, representatives of religious confessions, and members of the media.
The exhibition featured more than 100 photographs reflecting events organized in cooperation with national cultural centers and friendship societies, as well as the lifestyle, culture, and traditions of various ethnic and religious communities living in Uzbekistan.
It should be noted that today, over 130 nationalities and ethnic groups, along with representatives of 16 religious confessions, live in Uzbekistan in an atmosphere of tolerance, friendship, and unity. Events held within the framework of the Week of Tolerance are among the noble initiatives that call the peoples of the world to peace and solidarity.
Muslim Board of Uzbekistan – Press Service