10 Reasons to See Bilal: A New Breed of Hero & Movie Review

Bilal Ibn Rabah is an illustriuos figure in Islamic History. This is a beautiful story to be told about a paragon of unwavering faith, and inner-strength. He is the quintessential convert to Islam who whether you are born Muslim or converted, strive to be like.


He happens to have been African and happens to have been a slave but those are not things that define Bilal ibn Rabah in totality. Bilal is defined by his transcendent character. He was fearless in the face of not only one of the cruelest slavemasters in town, but the entire society he lived in. He stood up for his beliefs through unthinkable torture and ridicule.

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

When people reduce Bilal to, "a man who was once a slave and became the first and most well known Muedthin (Caller to Prayer)," know that they've only scratched the surface of this magnificent character. He was so much more than that. The narrative of Bilal is such that you hear he was, 'merely a slave who rose to a great status...' but Bilal was already great despite being enslaved. If you knew his story beyond the common talk about him, you'd know that. He was the son of an Abyssinian Princess and an Arab father, both of whom lived free until they were enslaved. For this reason alone, Bilal was born into slavery. Let's not forget that after becoming free, Bilal's name could have become overlooked among the 10,000 Muslims the Prophet Muhammad saws left behind. Instead, he was one of Muhammad saws' closest and greatest Companions which is synonymous with the title of a Disciple of Christ in Christianity.

In my opinion, I recommend you go see it while its playing at the theater for a few reasons.

1. It is inspiring for all ages and beliefs.
2. To get the full effect of the stellar cinematographic, animation, sound mixing and editing
3. To support non-traditional heroic figures which may open the door to seeing more

The movie was about the first man to make the Islamic Call to Prayer (known in Arabic as the Adthan), even though you don't hear the Call to Prayer (Adthan) anywhere in the US version of the movie. True, we were left wanting to hear it, but it still felt like a double victory  to see a hero that is both Black and Muslim.
If you want to see a clip of the movie where he says the adthan, click on this link. In the Middle Eastern versions, you do get to hear the adthan. They censored it out of the USA release. Turkish Trailer for Bilal with Adthaan and Arabic Version of Trailer with Adthan. 



A CRITIQUE OF CRITIQUES

I'm nothing short of annoyed by some of the critiques I've read or seen on YouTube. One movie critic said the movie is so violent that  he's glad he didn't take his 8 year old son to see Bilal, even though he let his son see Dunkirk. To say Dunkirk, a live action film about a gory war is less violent than Bilal is simply a lie. He then explicitly warns people that Bilal is not for kids. Could it be racism and or xenophobia here? Is it because the movie shows a black man breaking out of bondage? Is it because that man becomes a Muslim? Or is it a nice mixture of hate between both Muslims and Blacks? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but this is a lie, explicitly being used to dissuade people from seeing the movie.
There are also unfair critiques by Muslims. This movie has a disclaimer. It is not a biographical film and does not claim to be 100% historically accurate. I think we should leave it at that and take the movie for what it is. That being said, the movie doesn't veer far from the historical accounts yet does serve as a positive introduction to who he was.

TOMB OF BILAL IBN RABAH r.a.

 THE FAIR CRITICS
I listened to several critiques from Non-Muslims and I thought most of them gave the movie a fair criticism. One of the biggest criticisms from non-Muslims is of the movie's pacing and sequencing.

Why is this a fair criticism? 

If I didn't know anything about Islamic history, I would have gotten lost in the second half of the movie. It starts shifting from one major event to another fairly quickly. Without having the background knowledge and understanding of the significance of these events, I can see how the viewer was left confused.

The other major criticism I've read is that it needs more character development.  Most critics felt they couldn't connect to the character of Bilal as much as they hoped they would because they feel Bilal wasn't properly sold as a hero to the viewer.

Why is this a fair criticism? 

I think the movie could have done a better job of developing and portraying Bilal's unforgettable inner strength and the monumental stance he took against polytheism, the society and even the shackles of slavery he was in. Had they taken a bit more time focussing in on that, then his heroic character would have materialized. I don't think it is possible to do this without naming the movement of justice that Bilal became a part of i.e Islam.

It isn't totally lacking in either of these areas but it needs more.

This movie makes a well intended attempt at portraying Bilal in the right light but comes up just a bit short for a few reasons. Still, I have to give them credit because I can see they were trying to reach a broader audience and get the movie in theaters across the world.

To the Muslim critics who I empathize with for feeling like they were shorted because the movie did cut Islam out of it;

Positives NOT to be overlooked! 

1. Keep in mind that the movie alone shed a good light on Islam
2. Undoubtedly inspired many people who have not heard of him ( both Muslim and non-Muslim) to research him further
3. Bilal Ibn Rabah has now come to the forefront of many people's conversations over 1400 years later
4. Muslims have a movie to use for children to inspire them to learn more about their Islamic History/ roots.

DON'T GET IT TWISTED!

5. The fact that we have a Black hero on the big screen for young children of all races to see is a MAJOR accomplishment in America and most other countries!
6. The fact that we have a Muslim hero on the big screen for all to see is a BREAKTHROUGH in America and many other countries!

Let's be real here. We are talking about a movie made in the Middle East, by Muslims, about a Muslim who is also Black. In America, where are the black heroes portrayed in the movies, animated or otherwise? For that matter, where have you ever seen a movie on the big screen in America portraying a Muslim as a hero? 

7. It looks and sounds great. It has beautiful animation, sound mixing and sound editing.  Most critics agree on this point. It was aesthetically captivating!
8.  I liked the visual of what Makkah might have looked like at the time.
9. I think they did a keen job of capturing the evil of the idols all around the Kaba. Honestly, it was a bit shocking to get a visual of nefarious idols in the Holy Land.
10. Causes you to reflect: It made me reflect immediately that Muhammad saws was living in a time where he had to see this with his own eyes. I was thinking to myself, is that something I could handle seeing today? It also roused the thought of just how exhilarating it was for Muhammad saws and the rest of the first Muslims to later destroy all of those idols and restore the Holy Land to worshiping the One True God, the God of Abraham, Jesus and Moses, Allah.

For an excellent, recently made biographical talk given by Omar Suleiman about Bilal Ibn Rabah r.a. in light of the movie release  check this out Bio of Bilal Ibn Rabah 

A Deeper Look Into the Movie and Bilal's r.a. history...

The movie focuses on the universal theme of equality. I think a secondary theme is that of finding inner-strength and peace. In the Arabian society, and rest of the world at that time, was little opportunity for social mobility unless you somehow struck it rich. It's worth noting that in Arabian society in particular, anyone could be a slave. Europeans, Africans, Middle Eastern and Asians were not exempt. Being a slave was a social status not tied to your race.



The movie shows Bilal remembering things his mother told him about true freedom. A person who is truly free is one who has broken all the shackles from his heart. We watch him break through physical bondage as well as emotional and mental chains. I mentioned earlier that the movie causes one to reflect. As you watch the movie, I think one can't help but take inventory of themselves and to see what shackles our hearts may have over it.

The irony is not lost on me regarding Bilal's roots as he was actually born to a Princess of Abyssinia. It's no wonder that he was chosen to serve in the royals' homes. He was blessed with mentionable physical beauty and strength,  intellectual prowess and skills. Abu Bakr r.a. May Allah have mercy on him purchased Bilal's freedom for such a high price because of the impenetrable will power and unbreakable faith. In fact, Abu Bakr r.a. was willing to pay several times for to free Bilal r.a.

Muhammad saws chose him because of all of these qualities that shown brightly as a star in spite of the challenges he faced all his life. Bilal walked with illustrious character and noble traits, his entire life, always shining and rising above. So the movie just tells the story of Bilal and lets his light shine for itself.
 

If you're Muslim, you know very well the story of Bilal (may Allah have mercy on him). Countless Muslims from every race/nationality name their children after him. He is best known among Muslims as the first Muedthin (person who makes the call to prayer) in Islam and the Chief of all Muedthins. His position as the first Muedthin in Islam wasn't simply by chance or vote.

Who else deserved the honor of being the one to call everyone to prayer more than Bilal when he was the one who almost died and endured incredible torture for stating God is One? 

• Besides being the first and only Muedthin (Caller to Prayer) Companion of the Prophet who had the honor of calling the Adthan from the top of the Kaba, in Makkah, Bilal later became the first person to make the call to prayer in Jeruselum once it was conquered by the Muslims. 

• Bilal is also well known for his statement, "Ahad-un-Ahad" where he was stating that God is One (Ahad meaning one or singular in Arabic).  This simple statement, which basically means one is what lead to Bilal's worse treatment and torture as a slave but is also what eventually set him free. 
•  Bilal had the respected and trustworthy position as the Treasurer of the Muslim Nation's wealth. He was responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds to the poor.

• On the day of the Conquest of Makkah, Bilal actually entered the Kaba with the Prophet Muhammad saws and helped in the blessed work of  cleansing Kaba of those heinous idols.

• Bilal was the first slave to convert to Islam. 

• Bilal had a special bond with Muhammad saws. Bilal was one the Prophet Muhammad's favorite and most trusted companions. When Muhammad saws would seclude himself from everyone, it was known that the one person he would bring into his company was his close friend Bilal (may Allah have mercy on him). When Muhammad saws died, Bilal was so broken hearted, he refused to make the call for prayer again.

•  How the Call to Prayer Sounds in Makkah Today
•  A View of Makkah Today with The Call To Prayer

DESCRIPTION OF BILAL IBN RABAH 
For non-Arabic speakers, Ibn means son of so Bilal Ibn Rabah means Bilal, son of Rabah.
Bilal (may Allah have mercy on him) was reported to be a captivatingly beautiful man. He had very dark skin, was strong and muscular and extremely handsome. He had piercing hazel eyes so beautiful that it was said that if you looked into his eyes, it was very difficult to look elsewhere.

His mother Hamamah was a princess from Abyssinia (presently Ethiopia) and who was taken as a slave while his father Rabah was an Arab who also born free but later made a slave. So, he was mixed with what we know as Ethiopian and Arab blood. Some Muslim critics have complained that the movie doesn't portray Bilal as having dark skin even though the historic account is that he had dark skin. Let's analyse that historic account. It was written by an Arab. The average Arab has much lighter skin than the average Ethiopian. An Arab comparing his skin to Bilal's would easily call even the tone of this annimated character dark. I've witnessed more times than I can count, a very white woman saying her skin is so dark. It's hard to wrap your mind around the perspective of others, but that's what it all comes down to...perspective.

So although Bilal ibn Rabah was born in Makkah to parents who were born free. He was well known for his high intelligence and various abilities. Being a very handsome and intelligent person, he was made to serve the nobles/royals in the society because the highest class of people would take the best people as slaves. Such was the life in those days, whether you were Arab/White/Black/Indian, it didn't matter. Anyone could be captured and sold into bondage. Slavery was a social status, not tied to any race in Arabia.

As it turned out, Bilal r.a. served in the house of one of the staunchest adversaries of he Prophet Muhammad saws. Ummayah was a wicked, damnable man. He the man Allah revealed the 104th chapter of the Quran, "The Slanderer (Humazah)" about.
As a slave, Bilal (may Allah have mercy on him) heard his slave-master Ummayah Ibn Khalaf talking about the prophet of Islam, Muhammad saws in a derogatory way.

However, what Ummayah said about Muhammad saws appealed to Bilal. Ummayah was furious with Muhammad saws for preaching that there is only one God, the god of Abraham and to abandon all the idols the Makkans worshiped.

Even though Ummayah believed in the God of Abraham, as did most of the Arabs they also believed that idols had a spirit that resided in them that worked as intermediaries between themselves and the God of Abraham. Those idols were the main money making scheme in Makkah as they were bought and sold to all the pilgrims that would visit the holy city.

When Bilal heard about this call to believe in One God that said those idols were meaningless, it resonated with this righteous man of high intellect immediately.

To get an idea of the fortitude of Bilal (may Allah have mercy on him), you just need to hear a bit of the torture he went through. Ummayah first had him tied up in the house. He would bring the idols in front of Bilal r.a. and tell him to kiss them and worship them.


Later, Ummayah had even put a collar put on Bilal r.a., as you would an animal and had him drug in the desert for the other slaves to see. At one point, Ummayah had hot irons put on him which cooked and burnt his flesh off. Bilal had holes in his back from the torture he went through.

What kind of resolution and temerity must a human being have to not denounce his faith while being burned with hot coals. This is why is was a heroic figure.

He had what seems to be super human faith to pull him through this horrible ordeal. Any of us today would have quickly given up and desisted in declaring God is one so that we could alleviate the torture.

Most of us don't even have to resolve to stick to a proper diet or leave social media alone for one day let alone endure a minute of the torture Bilal (may Allah have mercy on him) did to stand up for his belief.

MUSLIMS WANT TO KNOW:

"Does the movie depict the prophet Muhammad saws in a picture form?"
Answer: No.
This is the first question most Muslims asked me when I suggested they check out the movie. Out of our love and respect for the prophet Muhammad saws, we do not want to see any drawings or images of him.

For Non-Muslims who are interested, I've mentioned the adthan several times. This is the adthan in English. It is called outloud before Muslim's pray so that everyone knows it is time to pray. 

THE CALL TO PRAYER IN ENGLISH: 

Allahu Akbar

God is Great

(said four times)

Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah

I bear witness that there is no god except the One God.

(said two times)

Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.

(said two times)

Hayya 'ala-s-Salah

Hurry to the prayer (Rise up for prayer)

(said two times)

Hayya 'ala-l-Falah

Hurry to success (Rise up for Salvation)

(said two times)

Allahu Akbar

God is Great[said two times]

La ilaha illa Allah

There is no god except the One GodFor the pre-dawn (fajr) prayer, the following phrase is inserted after the fifth part above, towards the end:

As-salatu Khayrun Minan-nawm

Prayer is better than sleep

(said two times)

I hope I gave a helpful review of the movie, a fair critique, didn't offend anyone and a dropped a little history about Bilal without any doing any injustice to his beautiful character. If I made any mistakes, kindly forgive me and drop me a comment. This movie was inspirational and calls on us to do some introspection. What shackles you? This movie is also a great movie for children to see an atypical hero. If you have seen the movie and have some comments, I honestly want to hear what you think. Thanks for reading and please share!

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Visit my Shop Link below