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Bilal
Famed for his beautiful voice, Bilal is known as the first muezzin in Islam. He hears the Prophet begin his teaching and when told to beat a fellow slave for repeating Mohammad's assertion that slaves are the equal of their masters, he refuses and is himself almost beaten to death. Bilal is saved by the prayers of the Prophet and takes his place as one of Mohammad's earliest followers.
H. A. L. Craig's book gives Bilal a voice to tell his own story. As an old man in Damascus he recalls the early struggles of the faithful and their work to spread Islam. The great battles and successes of those early years are brought vividly to life, including Bilal's finest moment. When Mohammad and his followers take Mecca, it is Bilal who gives the first call to prayer in what became Islam's holiest city.
Bilal, an Abyssinian, was the first black convert to Islam and both Sunni and Shi'a revere him. The need to understand Islam has never been more essential. H. A. L. Craig's book provides an accessible and informative account of the beginnings of the faith.
H. A. L. Craig's book gives Bilal a voice to tell his own story. As an old man in Damascus he recalls the early struggles of the faithful and their work to spread Islam. The great battles and successes of those early years are brought vividly to life, including Bilal's finest moment. When Mohammad and his followers take Mecca, it is Bilal who gives the first call to prayer in what became Islam's holiest city.
Bilal, an Abyssinian, was the first black convert to Islam and both Sunni and Shi'a revere him. The need to understand Islam has never been more essential. H. A. L. Craig's book provides an accessible and informative account of the beginnings of the faith.
158 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1977
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153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 14, 2015
This is a story of the life of Prophet Muhammad PBUH through the eyes of his beloved companion, Bilal. I'd say without a doubt that this is the best book in history of Islam I've ever read. It's great for at least two reasons. First of all, it was told in 1st person point of view, and the person happened to be Bilal, someone who woke The Prophet up every dawn for morning prayer. We can feel the intimacy of someone who was actually there, a humble witness of the fall and rise of Islam.
Second of all, the story was uttered in a sensible way that is actually the characteristic of Islam. Bilal didn’t directly deny all miracles that had been said to be The Prophet’s. He just said that he didn’t recognize most of the said miracles, nor he found them necessary to make him—or anyone—love The Prophet.
The writing of Craig is also brilliant. The narration flows softly, as if we don’t read it by mind, but by heart. Most of the times I read the book (and I read this book sooo many times I don’t even remember how often) I’m deeply touched and even cry.
Reading this book, you can feel the love and modesty shimmering from the first generation of Islam.
Second of all, the story was uttered in a sensible way that is actually the characteristic of Islam. Bilal didn’t directly deny all miracles that had been said to be The Prophet’s. He just said that he didn’t recognize most of the said miracles, nor he found them necessary to make him—or anyone—love The Prophet.
The writing of Craig is also brilliant. The narration flows softly, as if we don’t read it by mind, but by heart. Most of the times I read the book (and I read this book sooo many times I don’t even remember how often) I’m deeply touched and even cry.
Reading this book, you can feel the love and modesty shimmering from the first generation of Islam.
June 13, 2017
Aku bukanlah manusia yang punya iman seperti abu bakar mahupun umar
aku hanyalah manusia biasa yang punya ilmu
lebih terbatas daripada bilal - mungkin
dan punya tingkatan iman yang tidak pernah tetap/
As I flip through pages, it is like reading Bilal's diary. I can;t help but feeling touched and cries while reading this. Makes us missing our Prophet peace be upon him. Craig did a great job on the narration. Bilal did not deny the miracles happened, only that he isn't recognized it. This one are a good memoir asides Tuesdays with Morrie and The Last Lecture. If you're not into reading nor a book-ish person, I recommend you this one. Very life yet life changing. In sha Allah you can finish it in one sitting.
aku hanyalah manusia biasa yang punya ilmu
lebih terbatas daripada bilal - mungkin
dan punya tingkatan iman yang tidak pernah tetap/
As I flip through pages, it is like reading Bilal's diary. I can;t help but feeling touched and cries while reading this. Makes us missing our Prophet peace be upon him. Craig did a great job on the narration. Bilal did not deny the miracles happened, only that he isn't recognized it. This one are a good memoir asides Tuesdays with Morrie and The Last Lecture. If you're not into reading nor a book-ish person, I recommend you this one. Very life yet life changing. In sha Allah you can finish it in one sitting.
October 3, 2019
Most beautifully written account of Islamic history I have read. Recommended to all.
February 19, 2024
Bilal was one of the Sahabah (companions) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was born in Mecca and is considered to have been the first mu’azzin in history, chosen by Muhammad himself. Reading this, and how he found such profound purpose from servitude is inspiring and yet a reminder of humanities shortcomings. So often, society is blinded by its constructs that purpose, depth, even divinity can be overshadowed by such trivial things such as race and materialism. Here are some quotes I liked from reading about Bilal:
“We endured and came to realize that if cruelty does not break a man’s back, it will strengthen his spine.”
“Our best moments often disable us.”
“Every perfection must have a flaw.”
“Surely Heaven listens to a man who knows what his prayers mean.”
“We endured and came to realize that if cruelty does not break a man’s back, it will strengthen his spine.”
“Our best moments often disable us.”
“Every perfection must have a flaw.”
“Surely Heaven listens to a man who knows what his prayers mean.”
March 18, 2025
A beautiful rendition of a seerah, told from the perspective of Sayyid-ul-Mu'azzinun, Bilal ibn Rabah رضي الله عنه - a former Ethiopian slave and one of the greatest companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
I am glad to have picked this book up this Ramadan. Craig’s language is beautiful and dramatic. This is appropriate as it gives the reverence necessary when rendering the ancient days of prophecy. I would recommend this for the absolute beginner interested in the basic history of the Beloved of God, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
I am glad to have picked this book up this Ramadan. Craig’s language is beautiful and dramatic. This is appropriate as it gives the reverence necessary when rendering the ancient days of prophecy. I would recommend this for the absolute beginner interested in the basic history of the Beloved of God, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
October 1, 2019
So so so heart touching. Love the way this is written. Must read.
September 8, 2025
we get to know pur first muazzin through his writings. how he live before and after he embrace Islam. plus, when our prophet passed away he was in excruciating pain. touched the heart of the readers.
May 25, 2007
This is a story of the life of Prophet Muhammad PBUH through the eyes of his beloved companion, Bilal. I'd say without a doubt that this is the best book in history of Islam I've ever read. It's great for at least two reasons. First of all, it was told in 1st person point of view, and the person happened to be Bilal, someone who woke The Prophet up every dawn for morning prayer. We can feel the intimacy of someone who was actually there, a humble witness of the fall and rise of Islam.
Second of all, the story was uttered in a sensible way that is actually the characteristic of Islam. Bilal didn’t directly deny all miracles that had been said to be The Prophet’s. He just said that he didn’t recognize most of the said miracles, nor he found them necessary to make him—or anyone—love The Prophet.
The writing of Craig is also brilliant. I read the Indonesian translation of the book which is already great, so I assume the origin would be even better. The narration flows softly, as if we don’t read it by mind, but by heart. Most of the times I read the book (and I read this book sooo many times I don’t even remember how often) I’m deeply touched and even cry.
Reading this book, you can feel the love and modesty shimmering from the first generation of Islam.
Second of all, the story was uttered in a sensible way that is actually the characteristic of Islam. Bilal didn’t directly deny all miracles that had been said to be The Prophet’s. He just said that he didn’t recognize most of the said miracles, nor he found them necessary to make him—or anyone—love The Prophet.
The writing of Craig is also brilliant. I read the Indonesian translation of the book which is already great, so I assume the origin would be even better. The narration flows softly, as if we don’t read it by mind, but by heart. Most of the times I read the book (and I read this book sooo many times I don’t even remember how often) I’m deeply touched and even cry.
Reading this book, you can feel the love and modesty shimmering from the first generation of Islam.
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December 14, 2015i want to read it
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews