Asalaamu alaikum Alieu Bah Alhamdulillah and may Allah reward you for asking such beautiful questions about one of the noblest companions of the Prophet (SAW). Once, the Prophet (SAW) told Bilal that he (SAW) heard his footsteps in Paradise and asked him what action he does that gave him such an honorable status. Bilal replied that he thinks it is because every time he is out of wudhu (ablution), he always renews his wudhu and makes sure that he prays two superogatory raka'a (naafila) for each wudhu. The Prophet (SAW) tacitly approved of this Sunnah and it has since become known as 'hadith Bilal'. Check it out in Sahih Bukhari or Muslim. Once Bilal was told a racial remark by one of the companions (Abu Dharr al-Ghiffaari (RA)). He told him something like, you son of a Black woman. The Prophet (SAW) became very angry at this uncouth racial slaw and he upbraided Abu Dharr (RA) by telling him that he is a man who still has a lot of Jaahiliyya (ignorance) left in him. Abu Dharr became very ashamed and regretted his unfortunate statement. He went down and placed his head on the ground asking Bilal to step over his head and asked for his forgiveness. Check Sahih Bukhari or Muslim for the full story. With that brief introduction about the noble companion who received glad tidings of Paradise from his beloved Prophet (SAW), who preferred his call to prayer (adhan) over everyone elses, I confirm to you that indeed, Bilal was married to a woman from one of the noblest families of Quraish. His brother-in-law was Abdurahman bin 'Auf ( one of the ten companions who was given glad tidings of Paradise in this life- Ashra mubaashiraat). Abdurahman (RA) was also one of the wealthiest companions of the Prophet (SAW). Here is what Sheickh Sayed Darsh had to say about Bilal's marriage in answer to a question. Sheikh Syed Darsh, graduate of Al-Azhar, Cairo, Chairman of UK Shari'ah Council and expert on family matters, answers some frequently asked questions about marriage. These questions are taken from the magazine called "Trends". Question: Can a parent refuse a proposal from a good Muslim for his daughter on the basis that the suitor is not of the same race/caste? Answer: There is no concept of caste in Islam. Racial background is a fact of life. The Qur'an considers the difference of race, colour or language as signs of the creative ability of Allah: "And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and the difference of your language and colours. Lo! Here indeed are signs for men of knowledge."(Ar-Rum:22). In chapter 49, verse 13 is the most universal doctrine of human equality and brotherhood: "Oh mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and then rendered you into nations and tribes so that you might know one another. Indeed the most honourable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is most pious." There is a wealth of ahadith quoted by Al-Qurtubi in his commentary on this Qur'anic verse where the Messenger of Allah (SAW) condemned outright any racial impact on the Islamic society. For the very reason we come across many examples of people who, from a racial view, were not considered equal to Arab women marrying among the high tribal class. Bilal married the sister of AbdurRahman ibn Awf. Zayd (also a freed slave) was married to one of the noble ladies of the tribe of Quraysh and so on........ InshaAllah, I intend to get Sheickh Dr. AbuAminah Bilal Phillips (the Jamaican scholar who got the inspiration for his name from Bilal when he first converted to Islaam in the 70's) to give us a comprehensive biography and possibly commentary about the noble Sahabah Bilal ( may Allah be pleased with him). In the mean time let us all keep searching and say 'Rabbi zidnee ilma' (O Lord, increase me in knowledge). In that regard, we must be patient and careful. May Allah give us patience and strengthen our feet. Allahumma salli wasallim ala Nabiyyina Muhammad. Wasalaam. Modou Mbye ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------