Sayyedna Bilal — Page 28
28. SAYYEDNA BILAL. At the successful end of the Syrian Campaign. Bilal settled in Syria. There he cultivated a small piece of land and lived on its produce. In Syria, Bilal took a second wife. He sought the hand of an Arab lady. He plainly told her family that he was a Negro, was once a slave, was the son of a slave and possessed no riches. Bilal's request was readily accepted and he married the Arab lady of his choice. . Bilal's piety and transparent sinceriety had won him the highest esteem in people's hearts but he remained as humble as ever. If any one praised him in his presence he at once said, "I am a Negro who was a mere slave till lately". . In Syria one night he saw the Master in a dream. "Bilal", said the Prophet, "how come you have not paid me a visit all these years?". The dream made Bilal so restless that at the break of day he immediately set off. Standing by the grave of the Prophet, he wept earnestly. The memories of the glorious past came flooding back and Bilal found himself lost in a world of ecstasy. . When he recovered himself, he saw the two grandsons of the Prophet standing close by. Getting hold of them, he embraced them and started weeping again. When Bilal calmed down Hasan and Hussain made a joint request that the Negro Companion should recite the Azan on the following morning. . Bilal could not refuse the request of the beloved grandsons of the Prophet. So before dawn on the following day, he climbed on the roof of the mosque and began his memorable Azan. In no time the whole of Medina was astir. Men and women rushed