Bilal ibn Rabah was a man from Abyssinia enslaved by a harsh master in Mecca. When he heard the call of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he believed with his whole heart without hesitation. His master grew furious and tried to force him back, torturing him under the desert's scorching sun, pressing a heavy stone upon his chest.

Despite the unbearable pain, Bilal kept repeating a single word with astonishing steadiness: «Ahad, Ahad» — meaning «One, One» — declaring his belief in the one God, no matter the cost. When Abu Bakr heard of his suffering, he purchased Bilal from his master and freed him at once, allowing Bilal to live his faith openly and without fear.

When the Muslims migrated to Madinah and built their first mosque, they needed a way to call people to prayer. The Prophet ﷺ chose Bilal for his beautiful voice and sincere faith to become the very first person to call the adhan in Islamic history. His voice echoed across Madinah's sky every day after, a lasting symbol that true faith is stronger than any torment or injustice.