Bilal ibn Rabah (رضي الله عنه) was born in Makkah to an Arab father and an Abyssinian mother named Hamamah. He was a slave of Umayyah ibn Khalaf, one of the leaders of Quraysh and a fierce enemy of Islam.

When Bilal accepted Islam, he was subjected to severe torture. Umayyah would have him dragged through the hot streets of Makkah and placed under heavy stones in the scorching desert heat. Despite this, Bilal would only say "Ahad, Ahad" (One, One), declaring the oneness of Allah.

Abu Bakr purchased Bilal's freedom, and Bilal became one of the closest companions of the Prophet ﷺ. Because of his beautiful, powerful voice, the Prophet ﷺ appointed him as the first muezzin (caller to prayer) in Islam.

Bilal was present at all the major battles alongside the Prophet ﷺ. He was given the honor of being among the first to enter the Kaaba after the conquest of Makkah, where he gave the adhan from its roof.

After the Prophet's ﷺ death, Bilal found it too painful to give the adhan in Madinah, as it reminded him of the Prophet ﷺ. He asked Caliph Umar for permission to go to Sham (Syria) for jihad, where he spent the rest of his life. He passed away in Damascus around 640 CE and is buried there.