Bilal Ibn Rabah

Who was Bilal Ibn Rabah?

Bilal ibn Rabah Arabic: بلال بن رباح‎ also known as Bilal al-Habashi, Bilal ibn Riyah, and ibn Rabah was one of the most trusted and loyal Sahabah of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was born in Mecca and is considered as the first muezzin, chosen by Muhammad himself. Born as a slave of Abyssinian decent, Bilal was among the emancipated slaves freed by Abu Bakr due to the Islamic teachings of slavery. He was known for his beautiful voice with which he called people to their prayers. He died sometime between 638 to 642, when he was just over sixty years old. Bilal ibn Rabah, rose to a position of prominence in Islam. His respected stature during the birth of Islam is often cited by Muslims as evidence of the importance of pluralism and racial equality in the foundations of the religion.