O Bilal (Radi Allahu Anhu)! Why such indifference?

Mufti Abdul Wahab, London

Love is not just a matter of words; love is that which changes a person.

The scorching sand of Makkah, the burning sun, heavy stones upon the chest, wounds on the body, yet only one call upon the tongue:

أَحَدٌ أَحَدٌ! (Allah is One! Allah is One!)

This was Hazrat Bilal's (Radi Allahu Anhu) loyalty to Tauheed (Oneness of God) for which he endured every torment. Then Islam gave that very slave such a status that on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, by the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he was standing on the roof of the House of Allah (Kaaba) delivering the Adhan (call to prayer). The one who was persecuted in the streets of Makkah yesterday, today his voice was proclaiming Tauheed from the House of Allah.

Hazrat Bilal's (Radi Allahu Anhu) love was not limited to the blessed life of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. After the passing away of the Prophet ﷺ, the streets of Madinah changed for him. That Adhan, which used to be delivered in front of the Beloved ﷺ, now refreshed the wounds of the heart. Consequently, he left Madinah for Syria (Sham).

In a famous narration, it is stated that he was blessed with the sight of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in a dream, and he ﷺ said:

"يا بلال، ما هذه الجفوة؟ أما آن لك أن تزورني؟"

"O Bilal! Why such indifference? Has the time not come for you to visit me?"

Hazrat Bilal (Radi Allahu Anhu) reached Madinah, presented himself at the Rawdah (blessed resting place) of the Prophet ﷺ, and shed tears in remembrance of Mustafa ﷺ.

Just think: the same Madinah, the same Mosque, the same Mu'adhdhin, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was not before his eyes.

The life of Hazrat Bilal (Radi Allahu Anhu) teaches us that love is not merely emotions; it is the name of loyalty, sacrifice, and obedience.

Today we claim love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, but let us ask ourselves:

Does prayer remind us of the Beloved ﷺ?

Is the Sunnah visible in our lives?

Is the fragrance of the prophetic character present in our manners?

Can we sacrifice our desires for his ﷺ way?

Love is not merely saying 'Ya Rasul Allah' with the tongue. True love is that life's decisions are also according to the way of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

The call of Hazrat Bilal (Radi Allahu Anhu) still echoes in history:

أَحَدٌ أَحَدٌ!

Loyalty to One Allah, and unprecedented love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This is the warmth of faith, this is the fragrance of loyalty, and this is the love of Bilal.