MEDINA AS THE CITY OF THE PROPHET
The First Officials of the Mosque of Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
He was the first and permanent imam, khaṭīb (preacher), and wāʿiẓ (admonisher) of his mosque. When he was to set out for expeditions and campaigns, he would usually appoint Ibn Umm Maktūm as his deputy in his place. [122] The duty of muʾadhdhin (caller to prayer) of the mosque was assigned by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Bilāl al-Ḥabashī from the very first day. [123] Ibn Umm Maktūm would also serve as muʾadhdhin together with Bilāl al-Ḥabashī. Bilāl al-Ḥabashī would recite the adhān (call to prayer) early in order to wake the sleepers for the dawn prayer. As for Ibn Umm Maktūm, since he was blind, he would not recite the adhān until he was told, "It is morning! It is morning!" [124] Of these two muʾadhdhins, when Bilāl al-Ḥabashī recited the adhān, Ibn Umm Maktūm would pronounce the iqāma (second call to prayer). When Ibn Umm Maktūm recited the adhān, Bilāl al-Ḥabashī would pronounce the iqāma. [125] When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was united with his Lord, Bilāl al-Ḥabashī withdrew from being muʾadhdhin. Abū Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) transferred Saʿd al-Kurazī, the muʾadhdhin of the Qubāʾ Mosque, to replace Bilāl al-Ḥabashī. Saʿd al-Kurazī remained in this duty until his death. After him, his sons continued to fulfill this honorable duty. [126] May Allah be pleased with them all! [127]