Marriage Proposals
Regarding the latter part of Hazrat Bilal’s (ra) life, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) states:
“Towards the end of his life, Hazrat Bilal (ra) went to Syria…”
It mentions here that people would not accept his proposals for marriage; however, it was mentioned earlier that he was previously married, therefore perhaps he did not get certain proposals for marriage due to the fact that he was travelling to Syria, or whilst in Syria he did not get any marriage proposals. But in any case, there are many narrations which report that he previously had marriages during the life of the Holy Prophet (sa).
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) continues:
“Hazrat Bilal (ra) sent a proposal for marriage in Syria and stated that he was an Abyssinian and so it was their choice if they wished to decline his proposal. However, if they accepted his proposal on account of him being a companion of the Holy Prophet (sa), then it would be an act of great kindness on their part. Thus, the proposal for marriage was accepted and Hazrat Bilal (ra) remained in Syria.”
He had previous marriages as well and so it could be that all of his wives had passed away, or that none of them wanted to go with him, or he wanted to marry in Syria. In any case, it ought to be clarified here that Hazrat Bilal (ra) did have previous marriages even though Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has written that according to the other narrations, no one would accept his proposal or give their hand to him in marriage, but Allah knows best in which context those narrations were written. However, Hazrat Bilal (ra) sent a proposal for marriage while in Syria and it was accepted and thus, he remained in Syria.
The mention of his marriage was stated as a subsidiary point; the actual narration is about a dream he experienced. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states that on one occasion, the Holy Prophet (sa) came to him in his dream and stated, “Bilal, you seem to have forgotten about me and do not come to visit my grave.” Hazrat Bilal (ra) immediately stood up and prepared his provisions for travel and left for Medina and fervently prayed at the side of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) grave. He was overcome with intense emotion and the news of his arrival spread throughout the city. Hazrat Hassan (ra) and Hazrat Hussain (ra), who were much older now, came running to him and said, “Did you used to call the Azan in the time of the Holy Prophet (sa)?” “Yes”, replied Hazrat Bilal (ra). They both asked him to recite the Azan for them as well and so Hazrat Bilal (ra) called the Azan and everyone heard it.
(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 25, p. 182, Friday Sermon, 10 March 1944)
During his Khilafat, Hazrat Umar (ra) established a system to record and monitor accounts, finances, and the like in Syria. When these records were complete, Hazrat Bilal (ra) moved to Syria and remained with the mujahideen [those who partook in battles]. Hazrat Umar (ra) said to Hazrat Bilal, “O Bilal! Who will you entrust to oversee matters relating to your allowance”, i.e., who will be his representative in dealing with his financial matters. He replied, “I will assign it to Abu Ruwaiha, as he is one whom I can never overlook owing to the bond of brotherhood established between him and myself by the Holy Prophet (sa).”
(Ibn Sa‘d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Bilal bin Rabah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2017] 176)
With regard to Hazrat Bilal’s (ra) truthfulness and honesty, there is a narration as follows:
Amr bin Maimoon narrates on account of his father that Hazrat Bilal’s (ra) brother would declare himself to be an Arab and considered himself to be one of them. He sent a marriage proposal to an Arab woman, who stated that if Hazrat Bilal (ra) personally came to see her [to convey the proposal], she would consider the proposal. When Hazrat Bilal (ra) went to see her, he recited Tashahud [the declaration of faith] and then said, “I am Bilal bin Rabah and this is my brother. With regard to faith and his morals, he is not a good man. If you wish to marry him, then you may do so and at the same time, if you wish, you can refuse the proposal.” She replied, “Since he is your brother, I agree to the marriage proposal.” Hence, she married Hazrat Bilal’s (ra) brother.
(Ibn Sa‘d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Bilal bin Rabah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2017] 179)
Zaid bin Aslam relates that a few people from Banu Abi Bukair came to see the Holy Prophet (sa) and requested if he would arrange the marriage between their sister and such and such person. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked them what their thoughts were regarding Bilal (ra) [as a suitor for the marriage]? The second time they came, they asked, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah! Kindly settle the marriage between our sister and such and such person.” The Holy Prophet (sa) asked them again what they thought of Bilal (ra)? When these people came for the third time – having refused previously – and requested the Holy Prophet (sa) to settle the marriage of their sister with such and such person, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “What is your opinion regarding Bilal (ra)? What are your thoughts about someone who is from among the dwellers of paradise?” The narrator then says that they settled the marriage between their sister and Hazrat Bilal (ra).
(Ibn Sa‘d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Bilal bin Rabah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2017] 179)
In the previous extract of Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra), in which it was written that he would not receive any marriage proposals, there was a particular context and background to that narration, as there are various other narrations which state that Hazrat Bilal (ra) married a few times.