Sayyedna Bilal — Page 16
16. SAYYEDNA BILAL of a fiber that would not bend. However he did not relax the persecution. One noon as Bilal lay on the burning sand, calmly suffering the ordeal, Abu Bakr happened to pass by. This heart rending plight was too much for the kind hearted Abu Bakr who came to his rescue. "How long will you oppress this poor fellow? "said Abu Bakr to Ummayya bin Khalf. . As Bilal lay senseless he could hear voices making a bargain. One was the harsh and curt voice of Ummayya bin Khalf and the other was a soft and gentle voice. He regained a little consciousness and tried to open his eyes but could not do so because of the bright sunshine, and once again his eyes closed but he could hear voices mentioning Dirhams. The life of the people of Mecca revolved around the. Dirham. But Bilal had lost all interest in life and just wanted to sleep peacefully. . He then heard Abu Sufyan saying that bargaining of a slave was not allowed during his punishment. It was against the custom of Mecca. But. Ummayya replied that he was already dead. If Abu. Bakr was interested in buying his dead body for hundred Dirhams it was not a bad bargain at all. The conversation then stopped. Abu Bakr went close to. Bilal and called out his name. In spite of the bright sunshine Bilal opened his eyes and looked at him. . Ummayya bin Khalf was startled when he found that. Bilal was alive, his eyes started shining and he shouted "he is alive, he is alive, now I shall charge 200 Dirhams. ". Bilal felt the ropes being untied, the millstone was removed from his chest. Bilal was once again