Sayyedna Bilal — Page 27
SAYYEDNA BILAL 27 not untie him until Khalid had furnished a satisfactory explanation of all the charges leveled against. After this he offered his sincere apology to him. . Khalid. . When Umar took over as Caliph, in spite of being quite old Bilal resolved to forsake his peaceful life in Medina and devote the rest of his days to Holy. Wars in far away lands. So he sought the Caliph's permission to proceed to the front. Umar tried hard to keep him back but Bilal would not listen. So. Umar (may God be pleased with him) had to grant his request and Bilal joined the Syrian Campaign. . He was with the army that sought the capitulation of. Jerusalem. However, the Caliph had to come in person to sign the treaty of peace with the defenders of the city. Bilal walked by the side of Umar, as he entered the Holy City. When the prayer time drew near, the caliph requested Bilal to call people to prayer. "Commander of the faithful!" said Bilal, "after the death of the Master (peace and blessing of. God be upon him), I decided to recite the Azan no more. I have stood by this decision to this day. But. I must bow to your wish today". So Bilal started chanting the Azan in his hypnotic melodious voice. . The effect was indescribable. Bilal's Azan recalled graphically the cherished memories of the Prophet's days, a great excitement was observed amongst the people. Everyone rushed to the mosque with great devotion in a frenzied state of mind. The whole congregation burst into tears. Umar, Abu Obaida,. Muaz-bin-Jabal and the bravest of warriors of Islam could not check themselves. All of them started weeping like children.