8 Facts About Bilal Ibn Rabah (RA)
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.
Uzbek scholars research the heritage of Babur and the Baburids in Pakistan
On the initiative of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Pakistan, jointly with the Babur International Public Foundation, a visit of a delegation of Uzbek historians and Babur scholars took place, reports Dunyo IA.
Purpose of the trip is to study the historical and cultural heritage of Babur and the Baburids, historical sources, manuscripts, exhibits and artifacts preserved in Pakistan, as well as to develop scientific and cultural cooperation between the institutions of the two countries.
In Lahore, the delegation visited the Lahore Museum, Islamic Gallery, research institutions and historical monuments of the Baburid era. Issues of scientific and academic cooperation were discussed with the leadership of the University of the Punjab. Jointly with the Baburid Heritage Center at the university, a scientific and practical conference dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Baburid dynasty was held.
In Islamabad, the Uzbek scholars visited the National Language Promotion Department of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam University, Allama Iqbal Open University, National Library of Pakistan and a number of scientific institutions, where they familiarized themselves with manuscripts, exhibits of the Baburid era, and other historical sources.
Delegation was also received by the Coordinator General of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary.
The sides discussed deepening the study and preservation of the Baburid heritage, as well as its popularization within scientific circles and among the general public. An agreement was reached to hold a representative international scientific and practical conference.
The main event of the visit was the conference titled “Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur: Shared Civilizational Heritage and a Bridge of Uzbek-Pakistani Relations”.
Conference was attended by Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture of Pakistan; Alisher Tukhtaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan; Ramzan Mughal, Head of the Babur Forum in Pakistan; as well as historians, Babur scholars and young researchers.
Participants emphasized the importance of the joint study of the historical and cultural heritage of Babur and the Baburids and the development of scientific ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
As part of the further program of the delegation, research on a number of historical monuments of the Baburid era in the Punjab province is scheduled.
