# Bilal ibn Ribah

> companion of Muhammad and first Islamic mu'azzin (c.580–640)

**Wikidata**: [Q493136](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q493136)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilal_ibn_Rabah)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bilal-ibn-ribah

## Summary
Bilal ibn Ribah was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and is recognized as the first Islamic mu'azzin. Born circa 580, he is notable for his participation in key early Islamic battles and his distinct status among the companions of the Prophet.

## Biography
- **Born:** c. 580 CE
- **Died:** c. 640 CE (sources indicate dates around 641 and 642)
- **Known for:** Being the first Islamic mu'azzin and a companion of Muhammad
- **Field(s):** Religion, Early Islamic History
- **Other Names:** Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi, Bilal ibn Rabah, Bilal-i Habeşi, Bilal, son of Rabah, Bilal, Bilāl al-Ḥabashī

## Contributions
Bilal ibn Ribah's primary contribution was his role as the first Islamic mu'azzin, establishing the call to prayer in the Islamic tradition. He served as a participant in several major military campaigns that shaped the early Muslim community. These conflicts included the Battle of Badr in 624, the Battle of Uhud, the Battle of the Trench in 627 CE, the Conquest of Mecca, and the Battle of Khaybar.

## FAQs
**What was Bilal ibn Ribah's role in early Islam?**
Bilal ibn Ribah was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and held the distinction of being the first mu'azzin (caller to prayer) in Islam.

**Which battles did Bilal ibn Ribah participate in?**
He participated in five major early Islamic conflicts: the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhud, the Battle of the Trench, the Conquest of Mecca, and the Battle of Khaybar.

**What is the estimated timeline of Bilal ibn Ribah's life?**
He was born around the year 580 and died around the year 640, with some records citing 641 or 642 as the year of his death.

## Why They Matter
Bilal ibn Ribah holds a foundational position in Islamic history as the figure who established the tradition of the adhan (call to prayer). His life exemplifies the early struggles of the Muslim community, transitioning from a persecuted individual to a key figure in the major military and spiritual victories of the time, including the pivotal Battle of Badr and the Conquest of Mecca. His legacy as "Bilāl al-Ḥabashī" highlights his identity and enduring significance within the narrative of the Prophet's companions.

## Notable For
- First person to hold the position of Islamic mu'azzin.
- Participant in the Battle of Badr (624).
- Participant in the Conquest of Mecca.
- Member of the group known as the companions of the Prophet.
- Subject of the artwork "The Giant 'Uj and the Prophets Moses, Jesus and Muhammad" in the Khalili Collection.

## Body

### Identity and Names
Bilal ibn Ribah is identified in historical records as a human and a companion, disciple, scribe, or family member of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He is widely known by several aliases, including Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habashi, Bilal ibn Rabah, Bilal-i Habeşi, and Bilal, son of Rabah. His Arabic name is recorded as بلال بن رباح (Bilal ibn Rabah). He is also referred to simply as Bilal or by the epithet Bilāl al-Ḥabashī.

### Historical Timeline
Records indicate Bilal ibn Ribah was born in approximately 580 CE. His death is estimated around 640 CE, though structured data provides specific variations including the years 641 and 642.

### Military Engagements
Bilal was present at numerous defining military conflicts during the early Islamic period. He fought in the Battle of Badr in 624, a battle between the Muslims and the Quraysh near Badr in present-day Saudi Arabia. He also participated in the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of the Trench in 627 CE, which involved the failed besieging of early Muslims by Arab and Jewish forces. Later, he took part in the Muslim conquest of Mecca in the 7th century and the Battle of Khaybar.

### Cultural and Academic Records
Bilal ibn Ribah is documented across numerous academic and library databases. He holds identifiers including VIAF (137836635), Library of Congress (n81033497), and BNF (13778182m). He is listed in the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, appearing in the image "The Giant 'Uj and the Prophets Moses, Jesus and Muhammad." Additional records exist in encyclopedias such as Encyclopædia Britannica (biography/Bilal-ibn-Rabah) and the Turkish encyclopedia "Islam Ansiklopedisi" (bilal-i-habesi). Visual records of his legacy include images titled "Bilal-al-Habashi.jpg" and "Bilal ibn Ribah tomb.jpg."

## References

1. Dictionary of African Biography
2. general catalog of BnF
3. Source
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. CERL Thesaurus
6. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/bilal-i-habesi)
7. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Bilal_ibn_Rabah-BY5JPY)
8. Virtual International Authority File