#first caliph

Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [Kanzul-Amaal (5030)]

Bilal ibn Rabah was an Abyssinian slave that embraced Islaam. When Bilal's owner, Ummayyah ibn Khalaf, found out about Bilal's entry into the fold of Islaam, he threatened him, and when that didn't work, he offered him incentives to abandon his faith. But Bilal (radiallahu anhu) remained steadfast, refusing to return to disbelief and misguidance. Furious at the idea of a slave thinking that he had the right to choose his own faith, Ummayyah decided to teach Bilal a painful lesson and to make him an example for other Muslims. Having prevented Bilal from eating any food or drinking any water for an entire day, Ummayyah took him out to the hot sands of the desert. Then, placing Bilal's bare back on top of burning hot sand, Ummayyah ordered his other servants to carry a huge stone and place it over the chest of Bilal, whose hands were meanwhile tied down so that he could not move. When the brutal deed was done and Bilal lay there in extreme pain, Ummayyah said, "you will remain upon this condition until you either die or disbelieve in Muhammad and instead worship Al-Laat and Al-Uzza." Rather than complain about his predicament or give in to the demand of Ummayyah, Bilal simply answered in a dignified tone, "One, One." Ummayyah and his minions continue to torture Bilal in this manner until one day, Bilal was tortured so severely that his torturers realized that he was too weakened from their constant beatings to be of any more use to them. Abu bakr As-Siddeeq (radiallahu anhu) then walked by and addressed Ummayyah ibn Khalaf, saying, "Will you not fear Allaah regarding this poor person? Until when!" You are the one who corrupted him," said Ummayyah, "so you save him from his present condition." Abu Bakr purchased Bilal and freed him.  [As-Seerah an Nabawiyyah, By ibn Hisham (1/394)]  Bilal became the first Mu'adhin (pronouncer of the Adhan).  Amongst the Slaves that Abu Bakr freed were: Aamir ibn Fuhairah Umm Zineerah Umm Ubais An-Nahdiyyah and her daughter    Abu Bakr's father said, "O my son, I see that you are freeing weak slaves. If you have to do what you are doing, then you should at least free strong men who can protect and defend you." Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) replied, "My father, I am doing this for Allaah (azza wa jall) only."