Hazrat Abu Zar رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ says that when I arrived Makkah, I asked where is that Sahabi? Mushrikeen said that he is a non believer. He is a non believer. And pelted me with bones and stones and left me in a state like a red stone. I gained consciousness with the morning cold.
Hazrat Bilal رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ was a black slave but he was born in Makkah. When Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ him being treated with atrocity and cruelness, he paid a heavy amount to buy him and set him free.
Leader of the Moazzineen (Those who recite Azaan) It is narrated by Hazrat Zaid Bin Arqam رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ that the Holy Prophet ﷺ stated: ‘ Bilal is a very good man and he is the leader of the Moazzineen.’
Enduring of sufferings for Islam Hazrat Arwa Bin Zubair رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ quotes from his father that Warqa Bin Nofel used to pass by Hazrat Bilal رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ while he was being tortured. He would repeatedly say Ahad, Ahad and also say that Allah is the only one, Allah is the only one.
Death in the state of poverty It is referred by Hazrat Bilal رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Bilal die in the state of poverty. Do not die as a rich man.’ I submitted: ‘How can I attain this state?’ He ﷺ said: ‘Whatever provisions you will receive, do not keep them hidden and whatever asked from you, do not stop it.’ I submitted: ‘Allah’s Prophet ﷺ, how can I do this?’ He ﷺ said: ‘The same has to be done or else there will only be fire.’
Starvation It is narrated by Hazrat Ans رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: ‘ I was frightened from the path of Allah like no one has ever been frightened. And I was tortured in the path of Allah like no one has ever been tortured. I passed 30 days and night in such a condition that neither me nor Bilal had something that could be eaten by anyone but just so much which could be hidden by Bilal under his armpit.’
Sound in Jannah (Heaven) Hazrat Jabir رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ narrates that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: ‘When I proceeded to the heaven, I heard a sound ahead of me. I asked; O Jibreel ! (علیہ السلام) who is this? He said that this is the sound of Bilal’s footsteps.’ There is an addition in the account by Hazrat Buraida رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: ‘I asked Bilal what is the reason for you to be ahead of me in the heaven? He replied that Allah’s Prophet ﷺ whenever my wadoo (ablution) is broken, I observe it again and then I consider that it is my duty to offer two Rakkat prayers for Allah and so I offer them.’
Donor of abundant food) Hazrat Hamza Bin Suhaib رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ used to provide food in abundance. Hazrat Umar رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ said to him: ‘ O Suhaib رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ you serve great amount of food to people. It is squandering of provisions.’ Hazrat Suhaib رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ replied : ‘Holy Prophet ﷺ said that those are better amongst you who serves food and responds to Salam. Hence this saying of the Holy Prophet ﷺ has motivated me to serve food.’
Mushrikeen bled him extremely Hazrat Abu Zar رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ says that when I went to Makkah, residents of the valley attacked me with every pebble, bone and stone. I fainted and when got up, I was like a red stone. Hazrat Abu Zar رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ says that when I arrived Makkah, I asked where is that Sahabi? Mushrikeen said that he is a non believer. He is a non believer. And pelted me with bones and stones and left me in a state like a red stone. I gained consciousness with the morning cold and got up. I reached the Zam Zam and took bath with its water and drank it. I spent thirty days and nights between Kaaba and its veil in a condition that I neither ate or drank anything other than Aab-e-Zam Zam so as the wrinkles on my abdomen vanished and I did not find any weakness in my liver due to hunger. Ultimately Allah’s Prophet ﷺ arrived one night, performed Tawaf of Bait Ullah and offered prayers at Muqaam-e-Ibtahim. I was the first one to submit Islam’s Salam to the Holy Prophet ﷺ and in response, the Holy Prophet ﷺ said Wa Alaik wa Rehmat Ullah.
Four advices by the Holy Prophet ﷺ Hazrat Abu Zar رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ says that my beloved Holy Prophet ﷺ has advised for four things:
1. Affection with Masakeen (the grieved ones).
2. See the one who is inferior and the inferior one.
3. Always speak righteously, no matter how bitter it may be.
4. Do not take into account any word of an oppressor who maligns people following Allah’s path.
Fear of the day of judgment Abu Shaaba says that a person came to Hazrat Abu Zar رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ and presented him some amount for expenditure. Hazrat Abu Zar رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ said: ‘We have sheep from which we get milk and camels to carry the loads. We have free servants and clothes more than our needs. I have a fear of the day of judgment for having more than all this.’
Welfare and sympathy for people A pious elderly person narrates that Hazrat Abu Zar رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ used to say: ‘ O people, I am kind to you. Offer your prayers in the dark of the nights. For avoiding dreadfulness of the grave, keep fast in the world. Fearing the day of judgment, offer Sadqa (charity in Allah’s name) to prevent heat of the doomsday. O people, I am your well wisher and I am kind to you.’
Importance and prominence of Taqwa (Contentment) Hazrat Abu Zar رضی ا للہ تعالیٰ عنہ quotes that the Holy Prophet ﷺ used to repeatedly recite this verse to me:
ومن یتق اللٌہ یجعل له مخرجا ویرزقه من حیث لا یحتسب (Al-Talaq:2)
Translation: And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out - And will provide for him from where he does not expect.
