❖ Authored by: Ḥāfiẓ Muḥammad Anwar Zāhid ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Introduction
Although the account is short in origin, it has been widely elaborated upon by various orators, storytellers, and writers. Many have employed their literary skills to narrate it in diverse, emotionally captivating ways. One such writer has presented it so convincingly that it gives the impression of being completely true. We will first reproduce the account in his words, then present the scholarly verification and critical analysis from the experts of ḥadīth.
❖ The Narrative
The city of ‘Amwās was shrouded in darkness. Sayyidunā Bilāl (رضي الله عنه) retired to his bed and soon fell into a deep sleep. Silence had enveloped the universe. In his sleep, Bilāl’s face brightened with joy and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
He saw the Noble Prophet ﷺ approaching him in white garments. Bilāl (رضي الله عنه) rushed toward him, greeted him with salām, and stood by him. He felt immense joy. The blessed lips of the Prophet ﷺ moved, and Bilāl tried to listen attentively. The Prophet ﷺ, in a tone of displeasure, said:
❝Bilāl, how could you be so hard-hearted? Has the time not come for you to visit us?❞
Bilāl (رضي الله عنه) awoke, shaken by the echo of the Prophet’s ﷺ words. Remorseful, he cried out: "Hard-hearted? No, O Messenger of Allah! I have never forgotten you even for a moment! My lips have always been occupied with your name and invoking blessings upon you!”
He resolved to set out for Madīnah immediately.
The night was dark, and the stars dimly lit the skies. He paced around his house, filled with longing and grief, waiting for dawn. He prepared his travel provisions and waited impatiently until morning. As soon as the light broke, he set off toward Madīnah al-Rasūl.
On his journey, he joined a caravan and kept pushing his mount faster, driven by the weight of the Prophet’s ﷺ perceived displeasure.
As he neared Madīnah, emotions surged in his heart—hope mixed with fear. Upon entering the city, his heart pounded, and tears flowed. Approaching the Prophet’s ﷺ grave, he greeted:
السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ
His emotions overwhelmed him. Memories of the Prophet ﷺ flooded his mind—battles, peace treaties, joys, and trials. Standing at the grave brought him peace after years of separation.
At that moment, he heard a voice:
“Bilāl! Bilāl!”
He turned and saw al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn (رضي الله عنهما). Overcome with grief and love, he embraced them. They reminded him of the Prophet ﷺ.
Al-Ḥasan (رضي الله عنه) asked:
— “When did you arrive?”
— “Just before sunset today,” he replied.
— “Where will you stay tonight?”
— “In the Prophet’s Mosque.”
— “No, you will stay with us tonight.”
On the way to their house, al-Ḥusayn (رضي الله عنه) said:
“Bilāl, ever since the Prophet ﷺ passed away, you have deprived us of your beautiful voice. Won’t you call the adhān for us tomorrow at Fajr?”
Bilāl agreed.
In the early morning, he climbed to the rooftop of the Masjid al-Nabawī. The cool morning breeze greeted him. Then, with a trembling heart, he raised the call:
اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ...
The sound echoed through Madīnah, shaking its residents. People stirred from sleep, stunned and emotional.
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰه...
They wept, remembering the golden age of the Prophet ﷺ. Women left their homes; people gathered in awe and sorrow. The sound of Bilāl’s voice took them back in time.
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ...
He completed the adhān. Silence gripped Madīnah. People stood in emotional stillness. Eventually, they gathered around him, greeted him, and inquired about his well-being.
Amīr al-Mu’minīn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) arrived and embraced him. The congregational prayer was established, and Sayyidunā ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) led the people in ṣalāh.
❖ Ḥadīth Verification
⟹ This narration is fabricated (موضوع).
The isnād (chain of narration) is forged.
This story is falsely attributed to Sayyidunā Bilāl (رضي الله عنه) and has been exploited by innovators to claim:
- The Prophet ﷺ is aware of his ummah’s condition from the grave.
- He calls his lovers to Madīnah.
- Touching and rubbing one’s face on the grave is allowed.
Key References:
- Shifā’ al-Saqām, p. 52
- al-Ṣārim al-Munkī, p. 314
- Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ, 1/357–358
- Lisān al-Mīzān, 1/107–108
- al-Fawāʾid al-Majmūʿah, p. 40
- al-Maṣnūʿ fī Maʿrifat al-Mawḍūʿ, etc.
❖ Opinions of Ḥadīth Scholars
✔ Imām al-Dhahabī (رحمه الله):
“Its chain is weak, and the report is rejected (منكر).”
✔ Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī (رحمه الله) in Lisān al-Mīzān:
“This is a fabricated story (قصه نسجت من الوضع).”
✔ al-Shawkānī (رحمه الله):
“It has no basis (لا أصل له).”
✔ Mullā ʿAlī al-Qārī (رحمه الله):
Classified it as mawḍūʿ (fabricated).
✔ Ibn ʿAbd al-Hādī (رحمه الله):
“This narration is strange and rejected (غريب و منكر), its isnād is unknown, and there is a break (انقطاع) in the chain.”
It includes Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad, who is a majhūl (unknown) narrator, and only Muḥammad ibn Fayḍ narrates this report from him—thus making it severely weak and unreliable.
❖ Conclusion
The story attributed to Sayyidunā Bilāl (رضي الله عنه) regarding a dream of the Prophet ﷺ, his journey to Madīnah, and calling the adhān is fabricated and lacks any reliable basis.
Scholars of ḥadīth across generations have dismissed it as a concocted tale, unsupported by authentic chains, and often used to promote innovations in belief and practice.
وَالله أعلم بالصواب
