Question

I heard the way Sayyiduna Bilal (radiyallahu ‘anhu) and his brother had proposed for marriage. Bilal (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “I am Bilal and this is my brother…”

Please provide the reference for this

Answer

Imam ‘Abdur Razzaq and other Muhaddithun have recorded this incident with slight variation in the wording. The incident is as follows:

Sayyiduna Bilal (radiyallahu ‘anhu) and his brother went to propose for marriage. When he came to their home, he praised Allah and said, “I am Bilal and this is my brother, two men from Abyssinia, we were misguided and Allah guided us, slaves and Allah freed us. If you marry us then all praise is due to Allah and if you reject us then glory be to Allah”

(Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq, Hadith: 10454, Al Marasil of Imam Abu Dawud, Hadith: 227, Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 3, pg. 179)

In some versions, the narration goes on to say that their proposal was accepted.

(Ma’rifatus Sahabah of Ibn Mandah, vol. 1, pg. 466, Ma’rifatus Sahabah of Abu Nu’aym, vol. 1, pg. 942 and Usdul Ghabah, under the Biography of Khalid ibn Rabah)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar