Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … “Because there is some defect in his eyesight.” What connection does this reason have with the adhan of Bilal? It appears that this reason is related to assigning the responsibility of the pre-dawn (suhoor) adhan to Sayyiduna Bilal radi Allahu anhu, because when he used to give the adhan after the appearance of dawn (fajr), at times he would make a mistake. As narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma, once Sayyiduna Bilal radi Allahu anhu gave the adhan before the appearance of dawn, so the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ordered him to call out with these words: ((Ala innal ‘abda naama, ala innal ‘abda naama.)) “Behold! The servant had fallen asleep, behold! The servant had fallen asleep.” Thus, he returned and began to announce: Ala innal ‘abda naama. (Abu Dawud: 532) And the second adhan was entrusted to Sayyiduna Ibn Umm Maktum radi Allahu anhu. Since he was blind, he would be alerted at the appearance of dawn, and then he would begin the adhan. And Allah knows best what is correct.

For further clarification of the hadith under discussion, see Musnad Ahmad, verified edition, Hadith number: 16050, vol. 10, p. 233. (Abdullah Rafiq)